Reflecting On The Indiana State Fair Tragedy

I had big plans last night . . . not exciting plans, mind you, but big ones.  Mike was out of town, so after I got the kids in bed I was going to get comfy and finally sit down and edit the 200+ pictures I’d taken in the last week.  Just as I was settling in, I saw a disturbing tweet, something about the stage collapsing at the Indiana State Fair grandstand.  It was nearly 9 p.m. and I spent the next 3 hours both riveted and in shock about what was unfolding not far from my home.  As a result of a severe storm that rolled in quickly, a strong gust of wind caused the stage rigging to collapse on top of a crowd that was waiting for Sugarland to perform.  As of this morning, four people are dead and many more are injured.  It’s horribly sad and surreal.

Surreal because just 48 hours earlier, Elena and I sat on the very same ground where the accident happened.  On Thursday evening we were sitting on the track near the very same stage watching Big Time Rush perform.

This little girl, who I love with everything I have, was having the time of her life.

I can’t stop thinking about what it would have been like had the same thing happened that evening instead.  Would we have sought shelter before it got that bad?  How would I have handled the ensuing chaos and panic?  How would I explain what terrible thing was happening right in front of my child’s eyes?  I think about the parents sitting in front of us, who bought separate tickets for their young daughter and friend so they could sit even closer to the stage.  How terrifying it would be to see the stage collapse in front of you and not be able to get to your child?  Big Time Rush has a young demographic, of course, but so does Sugarland.  There were lots of kids there, too.  The reports of children being taken to Riley Children’s Hospital were almost too much to bear.

Today my head and heart are filled with so many emotions.  Sadness for those who lost their lives, and for their families and friends.  Prayerful for the injured, that their wounds can heal.  Heartbroken for all those who were there and won’t ever forget what they saw.  Relief that friends who were there are okay, that this horrible freak storm came on a different evening.  I hurt for my city and for the Indiana State Fair, too.  We love everything about the fair and had already been twice since it opened.

Be kind to each other.  Hug your kids and kiss your sweetie.  You just never know what tomorrow holds.