The snow had piled high that winter in 1972. Winter activities were on the go, with the ever-popular snowmobiles.
I personally thought them a bit noisy and uncomfortable, but the kids just couldn't wait for their turn for a thrilling ride, and, of course, the guys were utterly hypnotized with anything that had wheels on it or tracks _ or whatever.
Late into the night, we could hear the "rum-rum" loud and clear going up and down the streets.
The fields were full of designs of imprinted tracks going every which way, as the vast number of snowmobilers were super busy enjoying their sport.
Tragedy struck: My brother-in-law took his three young teenage daughters for what was going to be a pleasant ride on their sporty machine. He was very careful crossing any thoroughfare.
Leaving the girls high on the roadside snow drift, he maneuvered the vehicle to angle across the road safely.
He was patiently waiting for an oncoming car to pass when the vehicle suddenly, dangerously increased momentum coming down the snow-covered hill. It swerved, caught its front tire in the shoulder depression, lost control and slammed into the snowmobile.
It was that horrendous accident that took my brother-in-law's life.
He left three devastated children emotionally scarred for life and a wife of many years completely desolated. His life was drastically cut short at the age of 44. How sad.
There was a very upsetting funeral, as they all are. Family, friends, neighbors, business, acquaintances and just about all who knew this devoted family man were in attendance.
I listened attentively to the "clergyman" who gave the funeral talk. It was not encouraging. It was not comforting.
Suddenly I realized ... it was not scriptural. A God of love ... the God of the universe that I worship would not cause this. Why would someone say such a thing as to the Almighty God "taking him" and in such a fashion?
Our Creator designed us to be happy ... to be with loved ones and family and here before us was a closed casket that had to be sealed because of the enormous mutilation. There were no goodbyes. How could there be closure and especially so for the three young minds?
Yes, the clergyman stood up in front of us all and blatantly stated, "God took him. " The Bible does not say that. I was astounded to realize that many would actually turn their backs on anything scriptural and deem the Bible of no account because of such a misrepresentation. Would I blame a person for doing that? Probably not ... if that statement were true. It is not.
I'll tell you why that statement is false. The proof is written and witnessed for all to see and I have read this over and over and I believe it.
True, "Unforeseen occurrences do happen" (Ecclesiastes 9:11), be it our own fault, someone else's or just circumstantial, but the individual who is responsible for death (and you can add all the suffering that goes with it) is not God Almighty. I learned at Hebrews 2:14 where it clearly states, "... the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil (Satan)." There is the culprit ... plain and simple.
On the positive side is the fact that "death" and all that goes with it will be erased. The more you learn, the more you come to realize the "whys," the "hows," and where all this is going. Accurate knowledge is a "defense." A defense against anything false.
I always wanted to learn more. It's my life and I want to live it. There are so many choices to make as the years go by and with every choice there an effect. You've heard about cause and effect?
We, all being imperfect, can make many wrong moves in our lives, but the beautiful part is undoing a wrong and asking forgiveness.
Just sign me: Still making mistakes and still asking.
Elaine W. Kniskern is a 75-year-old resident of Schenevus and a grandmother of five.
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