in today's Washington Post more information on the death of a 22 year old woman riding her bicycle to workwww.washingtonpost.com
sadly... it all could have been different
it is 6:55 Am
the Mount Pleasant group house is dark
in the kitchen the timer on the coffee machine kicks in
water starts heating quietly
coffee is being made
it is 7:05 AM
the alarm buzzer goes off
the impulse reaction to hit the buzzer takes effect
nine more minutes of hugging the pillow
the scent of coffee starts to move about the house
the coffee pot fills in the kitchen
the alarm clock goes off again
the snooze bar is slapped destiny is changed
timing... it is all about timing
sadly... it is all about timing
thirty seconds here
thirty seconds there
destiny is changed
a few minutes and the world takes a different
path
but no... the snooze bar was not hit
teeth were brushed
hair was combed
clothing was put on
the bicycle was carried down to the sidewalk
the helmet was on her head and she was heading to work just as she does everyday
early... on time... on schedule
more than likely with a smile on her face
now more than 24 hours since Alice Swanson's parents heard of this unfortunate accident they each ask themselves, "why?"
this is a question they will ask themselves
they will more than likely search their souls
visit their rabbi or their priest
if they did not go to church before
they may go to church now
sadly
there are no answers to their questions
they will spend the rest of their lives trying to answer the question, "why?"
my nature the term "accident" defines something that could have been avoided
- ac·ci·dent
this accident could have been avoided...
future accidents can be avoided
car drivers need to slow down
car drivers give pedestrians and cyclists respect and space as well as slow down when they pass
everyone must be aware of the potential worst case scenario
saying I am sorry is not enough