Life is precious and fragile

I have been quiet the last few days because we had a tragedy in the family on Wed.  Around 3:30 PM I got one of those calls that you dread.  It was the call where the one calling is frantic and you brace yourself because you know bad news is coming.  The one calling was my mil.  She told me to listen carefully that she didn't have time to repeat herself.  Her younger brother and his 6 year old daughter had just been in a terrible car accident.  She was still getting details herself, but they did not know the condition of either her brother or her little niece, but that it did not look good.  My mil said she needed me to get the word out to all that I knew would pray asap.  My mil just happened to be in the town where it happened with her mother which is about 1 1/2 hours away.  I hung up and tried to first text a msg. to as many close family and friends that I knew would pray immediately.  It was so hard to concentrate on getting the message typed out and to everyone.  Then I sent out a prayer email to several that I knew she would want to be informed.  My kids could tell something was up and I asked them to quickly pray with me that these two would be ok.  I remained calm for their sake.  Right then my mil called back and said that the little girl had NOT survived and that her brother was being care flighted to a local hospital in our area.  No one knew how badly he was hurt.  I was in charge of getting the word to everyone.  I had to tell dh while he was in a mtg. celebrating his best month at his new job.  My heart was  breaking at the thought of this mom hearing the news in the next few minutes that her only child was gone and that her husband was being taken to the hospital in an unknown condition.  Long story short, the uncle has stabilized.  He had severe internal injuries, and has to have his knees and hip replaced. He is 54.  We had to talk about what had happened to our kids.  Our 4 year old didn't really understand, but our 7 year old did.  They were fairly close to this young girl, playing with her at all the family get togethers.  I tried to death not sound too scary or unknown and answered all of his questions, no matter how specific they were (with discretion, of course).  

Of course, I am comforted to know this little one is with Jesus.  She isn't unhappy or suffering.  The dad does not know about his daughter dying yet.  They couldn't tell him until he stabilized and he is in and out of consciousness.  They have been instructed to wait until his last surgery today and when he gets his breathing tube out.  The family believes he already knows.  He has asked about her every chance he gets and the family just says how much they love him.  I read a good article on death.  Check it out if you get the chance.  I know I've hugged my little ones a lot more lately.  I also don't take safety guidelines for granted either.  Neither were wearing seat belts and the 6 year old was in the front seat.  It is so easy to get too comfortable with letting safety slide just this one time....  Pray for the family as they continue to walk thru this tough time.  

Thank You!