I don’t watch the news. It’s my humble opinion that it is full of negativity that I can live just fine without. The really important need-to-know information makes it to me without having to suffer through the news.
Last night, I received an email from my good friend P. It’s one of those stories I go out of my way to avoid. Here’s an excerpt from the Courier-Journal article:
"Authorities say a mother stabbed her two children to death, then fatally shot herself yesterday at their home in the 200 block of Appomattox Road near Fairdale.
Jefferson County Deputy Coroner R.D. Jones identified the mother as Hope Orwick, 35, and the children as Emily Orwick, 9, and Lindsey Orwick, 8. Jones said Hope Orwick died of a gunshot wound in the head, and the girls were both stabbed to death."
As it were, P’s older daughter, L (who is my daughter’s best friend) has attended school with Emily since they were in Kindergarten and was in her current class, as well. L has spent the night at their home in the past and even knew the mom quite well since she frequently volunteered at the school.
As one might imagine, L is quite distraught.
Earlier this week, P asked us if we’d be able to watch her younger daughter, C for a couple of hours today. P will be bringing L along when she comes to pick up C in just a bit and certainly L is going to want to (quite understandably) talk with Joy about her loss.
The kids in our county haven’t had school since last Thursday due to Professional days, so it is L’s first day back to school since this tragedy. The paper reports that grief counselors were available today for those kids.
P and I talked last night about L telling Joy about this devastating news. Obviously, I’m concerned because Joy has OCD and anxiety problems (to be clear, Joy does not know this family). We agreed that we’ll all sit together and share our feelings about it. How else does one explain the unthinkable? I want the girls to know that it’s okay if they don’t understand it - I’m 31 years old and I don’t.
Related articles can be found here and here.
If you pray, won’t you whisper the names of these folks? If you have kids, squeeze ‘em extra tight.
October 13th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
This is happening more and more in the uk… it is scary just how people can hurt and kill innocent children!
October 13th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
An absolute tragedy, there is no good that can come from a traumatic event like this, but it’s wonderful that you and your family are willing to talk this through and be a friend to the others affected by this.
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October 13th, 2008 at 1:17 am
How horrible…I wish you the best in dealing with this difficult situation.
When I was maybe four or five, my best friend from nursery school was killed by a psychopath. My family had just moved, so I no longer saw him every day, but just when our parents got together. So, we simply didn’t go see them again (my folks might have, but not with me) and, while I occasionally wondered about it, I never thought too much about it until, when I was in high school, I read a story about this middle aged couple who, years after their child’s death, remained obsessed and wrote letters to him every day. I mentioned it to my dad, just as something weird I’d read, and he said “do you remember Arnold?” Then the whole story came out. At that point, with it so far in the past, it still seemed little more than a strange story. I can’t imagine, though, if I’d been told then. At the same time, some people I’ve told this story to said my parents should have been honest with me…I really don’t know. Obviously you don’t have any choice. My thoughts are with you….
YogaforCynics´s last blog post..Dukka
October 11th, 2008 at 8:29 am
@Robyn: I don’t know the answer. Unfortunately, I must breach a couple of those labels with my daughter since her father (like my own) is an alcoholic and because we both suffer from bouts of OCD. I tread carefully but am honest. When I don’t know the answer or don’t understand, I say as much. It’s the best I know how.
October 10th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I too have read this post several times.
It’s sad enough that we as adults are forced to be aware of the worst in human nature that leads to these tragedies; hatred, fear, racism, greed, jealousy, misguided religion, drug addiction, inadequate care for mental illness, suicidal depression. It’s easier to slap a label on them then think about them and really internalise the depth of the problems.
So just how do you explain it to children when the labels aren’t familiar?
October 9th, 2008 at 11:32 am
that is an increasibly sad story. I have no idea what you should tell your children as I have never lived through something so horrible. I’d answer their questio a as honestly as possible an be as supportive as possible.
October 9th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I have read this post a few times.
I’m not sure if mine have heard about the tragedy. It is impossible for any of us to understand, to even imagine committing such an act. Her level of despair must have been tremendous. I am truly sorry that she suffered alone and that her girls paid with their lives.
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October 9th, 2008 at 8:34 am
I’ve been numb and in a fuzz ever since hearing this news. I’m so glad you are going to sit and talk with the girls about it.
Lora´s last blog post..Numb.
October 9th, 2008 at 8:27 am
@The Glamorous WAHM: Holy shit. That’s fucking awful!
I’m so sorry…
October 8th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I totally understand. A little over a year ago, my daughters best friend’s parents died. Her father hit her mother over the head, strangled her with a zip tie, decapitated her, and then shot himself with a shot gun. I was friends with the mom and we had just been in my living room talking and laughing two weeks before. Needless to say, my daughter had to attend counseling at church to deal with her grief. Your friends are in my prayers.
The Glamorous WAHM´s last blog post..Thank You K’NEX!