To the editor:
I am writing in response to the loss of life of Savanah Gatchell.
Yesterday, I was picking up my daughter, no less precious than Savanah, from the library here in Marblehead.
Tuned into my spirit, I heard a warning. I saw in my rearview mirror that Anna was attempting to cross the intersection right in front of the library.
A car directly in front of the crossing stopped. The car directly in back of the car that stopped, however, was intent on pursuing the crosswalk, regardless of the life of my one and only daughter, Anna Grace, crossing.
The white BMW or Mercedes was intent on going around the car that stopped for my daughter.
Perilous times are here and coming. People, hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying. “SLOW DOWN.”
There is nothing more important than the life right in front of you, including your own.
The news of Savanah should burden our hearts. We are tooooo much in a hurry and too tuned out to what matters.
We need to stop and to listen to the voice that is telling us to stop and to listen.
I am included here. Oh, my G-d, what is happening?
I honked at the driver who thought about getting around the car that stopped. I wanted to follow that car and to take my anger out on the driver. My level-headed daughter told me otherwise — to let it go.
We are in desperate times, Marblehead, which call for desperate measures. Though we may want to make the driver the villain, we are all guilty of checking out and letting ourselves become inebriated by the times.
As much as we may want to accuse, may we all stand accused of becoming numb and checking out. It does not matter if the poison is alcohol or just the usual distraction — be it the phone or otherwise — we are all guilty.
May we truly let ourselves see where we are, spiritually speaking.
Let us not make one person the scapegoat. It is easy to do.
I understand that there is the guilty, as charged.
When we take a life, it seems a life must be given.
Regardless of what we believe of the here and the thereafter, may we all SLOW DOWN and take notice.
I know I am.
I am grateful that my Anna was spared in front of the library yesterday.
The driver of the white car, you know who you are.
You are so blessed that my daughter was spared. Count your blessings this time.
Be FOREWARNED. You might not be so lucky next time!
Brendalee Baughman
Broughton Road
