So I was at home working today. The weather sucked. Tornado warnings, wind, sideways rain, etc. I was about to leave the house when I heard HUGE thunder. It shook the ground. I walked out of the house and heard a car horn just constantly sounding. I thought to myself, "Self, what the hell is that?"
So I pulled out of the neighborhood and saw that a HUGE tree had fallen on an Yukon about 9 yards down from my house. The thunder apparently wasn't thunder. I pulled up to see if I could help whoever was in the vehicle, and there was no helping to be done. Right then, police, fire, and EMS were arriving, so I got the hell out of their way. The tree fell right on the single occupant, killing him instantly. I was later interviewed by the news, and was informed that the man's wife had been at work, and two of his three children go to my son's school. They couldn't tell me who it was, because he hasn't officially been identified yet, but they knew who he was from the license plate and his wallet.
My thoughts are with his family tonight, and this holiday season. I think about not only how hard this will be on them, but about how the little things during the holidays will keep it fresh in their minds. I especially empathize with his children. I couldn't imagine all of the milestones in their lives that he won't be there for.
Sorry to be so depressing, but I needed to vent.
Here's one of the news stories.