I was out of town when I found out that a friend of ours - the father of one of Gabriella's best friends - died this weekend due to a horrible accident. You can read the initial story here.
This didn't have to happen. Pete was climbing, and a hiker from above decided to throw a rock without looking to see who might be below. Pete was doing everything right. He was an experienced climber, and very well loved in our community.
I burst into tears when I heard the news, at the thought of his lovely wife and beautiful daughter, and all his friends and family who will have to deal with this. I wish I could be there right now for them, but I know they are surrounded by family and friends. I hope they know that as time goes on, we will be there for them in any way we can be a help or support.
In situations like this you wish there were something you could do, or say - SOMETHING. The sad fact is there isn't anything. There is no going back - changing the past. So the only thing I can think of to do from my little corner of the web is this:
PLEASE THINK! I can understand the want to toss a rock and listen to it fall. But to throw a 15-20 pound rock over the edge of a cliff without looking - without thinking there could be someone else around is just stupid. Don't ever throw anything - of any size - if you can't see where it will land and who might be in the way. This hiker will have to live with this the rest of his life. It certainly isn't worth it.
Please keep Pete's wife and 6 year old daughter in your thoughts and prayers.
