The worst of times, the best of humanity...

We had a sad, unfathomable tragedy in our small town this week. The basics are this: these were our neighbors until they sold their house this Fall. They moved in with relatives on my mail route, so I still kept in touch with them as they began to build their dream home and add a new baby to their household of 3 young kids. Dad is the elementary school principal, mom is a coach, they were born and raised here, my son went to school with them and played a lot of basketball with the dad. They were so excited to be adding another girl to their growing family. Sadly, their world was rocked when the mom died in childbirth on Tuesday evening.

None of us can begin to imagine the hows or whys or what nows, yet this small town has stepped in to help in any way they can. A donation site was created and has raised OVER $100,000 in slightly more than 24 hours. As I watch the progress on their new home, I can't help but wonder what the future holds for them or any of us, yet I'm uplifted by the support and kindness of humanity. There's always good to be found, and I hope that they find some peace in knowing how much they are loved through the years ahead. (I'm not posting a link to the donation site, as the major news stations are beginning to follow the story.)

Hug your loved ones...that's all I have.

Sad. Live has a way of wacking you when you least expect it. My prayers to the family.

How terribly sad. Though not heard about nearly enough, there is a lot of good in this world and it's the support this family is receiving that proves it. Bless them and bless this family in these very difficult times.

That's so sad....sending along prayers for the woman's family.

I'm so sorry. Did the baby die too? I guess so, or you would have said. Extra hard for that family at a time of year when there is so much talk of mothers and babies. Baby Jesus. I'm sorry.

The latest news update is that the baby is alive and well. Mom, Carri, passed away from a blood clot 24 hours after the birth. I know it's a depressing thing to post about, yet so much positivity is just bursting out of our community.

I think people are inherently good and the support from your community shows it. I can not imagine what the husband and kids are going thru at this time. So VERY sad. Prayers sent to God that He sends an angel to comfort those troubled by this.