www.K-E-Y-s.com Keep Eveyone You know Safe

Patrick and I attended a "Mock Crash" this evening in DeForest. One of the sponsors was the KEYS Organization. Learn about their mission at: www.K-E-Y-s.com. The Fire Department, some talented young people, Sherrif Deputies, Coroner, Police Department, Ambulances, EMTs, local officials, volunteers, organizations, (did I miss anyone?) gave their all today.

The mock crash was the most moving performance I have experienced outside of real life. Patrick and I sat together. I was glad we were with eachother. If you've never witnessed a demonstration, maybe the DeForest Youth Council has a tape of the event. dacc1@centurytel.net.

A 911 call opens the scene with two mangled cars uncovered in front of you. A body lies on the ground covered in blood:

As the survivors come to, and the chaos unfolds with sirens, squad cars, ambulances, fire trucks, men and women doing their jobs in professional control, the stillness of the fatally injured drew my attention like a whisper. The young girl on the ground. An 18 year old boy, head turned out to the window and resting peacfully. The tragedy is just beginning for the survivors and families of everyone involved. It's over for the non-survivors. Everything is over. As loud as the noise and as constant as the commotion, it was the quiet of the dead that captured my mind. The orderly chaos played in the background. I was transfixed on the peaceful souls.

Callused is the word I have used to describe the attitude of officers, and professionals who work a crime and crash scenes. I have a new prespective tonight. They aren't thick skinned, they're attending to the situation in a controlled manner. They're all human with human powers. Assessing the situation, stepping over the carnage, and attending to the living and dieing in ways that are practical is realistic. Ripping off car doors, bringing the dead back to life is for technocolor, not living color.

Out of the background, near the end, a traumatized woman appeared. Her name is Mrs. Babler, I believe... I'm doing terrible with names when I'm emotional. She drew my attention because I've heard those screams and pleas before. A Mother hurts. Mrs. B was real.

Diane Goldensoph, Mother of Kyle, put in a long, long day today. Diane attended both presentations. She is to be admired for her honesty. Cathy and I have said from the beginning that for us to make our son to be more than he was, would be dishonorable. As we see her, Diane is honoring her son in a spectacular show of trust in God. She tells her family's story with the love of a Mother and the compassion of a trusting servant of God.

A high school student, John O'Donnel, came up to me after the event and told me about his car crash on Mothers Day. His car was used today--an amazing wreck. John has a new outlook on life. His brother was killed in Iraq in '04, and now John was given new life. I heard what John had to say, and more than hearing, I could feel how deeply he knew that he was spared. John wants to participate in sharing the message of KEYS. John's opportunity to make a difference with people his age is limitless.

Local employer, and model for what's good about business, Evco Plastics makes the sharp little KEYS and shares their money to help keep the movement going. These black and bright yellow keys are going to find their way all over the country.

The DeForest Village President and a Windsor Town Board Member talked with me. Territorial differences have a way of fading when we are able to peak into the window to our purpose in life; Compassion and mercy.

In the wake of death and heartbreak, an organization started by Bonnie Stamm of Mount Horeb, a Mother who lost her vibrant daughter Aimee because of an act of an impaired driver, has stitched up some of our wounds in DeForest-Windsor.

The DeForest v Mt Horeb competion will seem to be less of a rivalry and more for fun to me.

Living with Hope and Peace,
Tom