This is what I call a tragedy.

This is heartbreaking. An 11 year-old girl died here in Huntington Beach yesterday during a junior guards class. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since it happened.

Here in HB, junior guards is kind of a rite of passage...talk to anyone who grew up here and they probably did it, and now their kids are probably doing it. We always talk about Kaleb doing it when he is 9 (that's when they start it). The program is nationally renowned and has been in existence since the mid-1960's with no major incidents. Until yesterday, when a sweet girl named Allyssa fell behind from the group during a swim by the pier and was run over by the lifeguard boat. She died.

There are so many parts of this that I have a tough time getting my head around.

First, I keep thinking about her mom dropping her off in the morning, having no idea that she would never see her alive again. Did they kiss goodbye? Say "I love you?" You see, Kaleb started camp at our church this week. I have been soooo excited for 2 reasons - 1) that he will have such a blast playing with other kids his age and creating things and learning about God from our awesome children's pastors, and 2) that I will have two and a half hours of time to myself each morning! I love it! I can shower, do errands, clean house...all the stuff that I have a tough time doing when Kaleb is following me around. So I just take it for granted when I drop him off that I will see him in a few hours. Now, of course I know that chances are he will be just fine, but you never know. That's what I have a hard time with. We have to let our kids grow and become independent. It's important to let them experience so many things. It wouldn't be right to keep them by our side 24/7. And yet, in doing so we also have to accept some things are out of our control. Accidents happen. We often don't get advance notice that someone is going to die or be injured. I will try to make sure he always knows how much he is loved....cherished...treasured.

Second, I just keep praying for the poor man who was driving the boat. I am sure he must be devastated. He was a veteran on the lifeguard force, highly decorated and respected. I can only guess that he loved working with the kids. I sincerely hope he can forgive himself for what so-far seems to be a tragic accident. I hope he knows how many people feel the same way.

Third, I pray for all of the other kids in the junior guard program. Summer should be a happy time when you're a child. How do you help an 11 year-old to understand and recover form losing a friend?

Last.....I wonder....at what age is it no longer a given that you will go to heaven? Is there a magic number when you need to make the decision to accept Jesus as the leader of your life? I hope Allyssa is in heaven feeling nothing but pure joy and happiness and love. And I hope that her family is comforted by that, and that they too will feel that joy and happiness again. Someday.

Our children are a gift and a blessing. Love them. Treasure them. Thank God for each day that they are in our lives.