Sad weekend in Iowa

  What should have been a great weekend turned into a sad one.  My friend Pam and her husband Rick were on a wagon being pulled by their miniature horses.  Pam’s mom Marge who is 92 was on a lawn chair on the back of the wagon, as was Rick’s mom, in her 80s.  Somehow, the wagon/horses became loose and the horses took off, tipping the wagon over.  Betty, (Rick’s Mom) was thrown backward off the wagon and hit her head.  They life flighted her to Omaha.  She has brain damage and life support has been disconnected .  They brought her home yesterday with Hospice and don't expect her to live more than a few days.  Marge was holding onto the back of the wagon seat where Pam and Rick were sitting so she didn’t get thrown off.  Pam fell off too but had minior injuries.  When their wagon passed in front of me, I took a picture – one, because Pam is my friend and two, because “Momma Lock" (as I call Pam’s mom) was on the wagon.  Now I look at the picture and it just breaks my heart.  I can never give that picture to Pam, which is what I would have done. The picture shows Marge holding onto the back of the wagon seat.  Betty was looking the other way, so my picture doesn’t show her face.   It was about 2-3 blocks from where they passed in front of us where the accident happened.    Pam and Rick are very well known in the area.  Pam is the county treasurer and was in the parade to campaign for re-election.  This will always marr their 4^th of July.  Their son was a good friend of my son's and committed suicide in 1997, so tragedy in their lives just seems to keep happening to them.   I’m so worried about Pam, as I just don’t think she’ll get past this.  Since Brad’s death, she has never been the same.  They will both blame themselves for this.    I spent many, many days at their house after Brad died.  I guess I can do it again.    I saw on the news where another horse drawn buggy in eastern Iowa ran into the crowd and killed one woman and injured many.  Just freak accidents, but so many lives impacted.   

I am so sorry. Please know they will all be in my prayers tonight.
Nan

Wanda....my heart is heavy for you and all those involved in such a tragic accident.

I have been keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!!!

Hugs.....connie d

that is so very sad... prayers going out to all those involved.
Sheri

im so sorry, yes a freak accident can change so many lives.

i will keep you and your friends in my good thoughts

jacki

I'm so sorry for your loss. Stay strong for your friend. You are God's angel working through Him right now, prayers being said. God always is here to comfort us, He never leaves us. Your friend has a lot of pain right now. Please hold on to that picture because later she just might want that picture. The Mom's were having fun riding on the wagon. They were active and most likely having the time of their lives, maybe reliving memories of their childhood. Hang on to those types of thoughts, not the tragic piece at the end. Hugs Debbie

So sorry ... I agree with Debbie, hang onto the photo, some day they may want it. It's tragic, but they can't blame themselves for the suicide or for this. There is no reason for this, it's just a freak accident, just as they were not to blame for the suicide.

Just be a good friend, that's all you can do.

Wanda,
So tragic.  I will keep your friends in my thoughts and prayers. 

Some young men were speeding and fooling around when they lost control.  The car hit a rock and went airborne.  The car landed on my Aunt Violet who was trimming hedges at the cemetery.  She died when they lifted the car off her.  My cousins were 12 and 9 at the time and have never been the same.  It's true, one event can change so many lives.

The best friends are the ones who are by your side at times like these.

Bev

Wanda,

Sorry to read your post, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and all the many whose hearts are heavy at this time. . .

Hugs, Laureen