A Compassion that Moves Us to Action to Keep Kids Alive

Recently I viewed an on-line video of Krista Tippett on "Reconnecting with Compassion." Her insights challenged me to think about compassion as it relates to the mission and work of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25.


How so?


She shares that "story" is a critical element of compassion. To me this says that sharing our stories is critical to moving us toward action to bring greater good into our world. In the case of Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 I have experienced this great goodness through the families that survive loved ones who have died in motor vehicle incidents. These are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who choose to create a legacy of good in our world in memory of their loved one. In doing so they keep their loved one's story alive in a way that calls us all to make a positive difference through our driving behaviors, and, in fact, through the ways we live our whole lives. 


Who are some of these families?


The Reynolds - see Cady
The Rowans - see Erika

The Prestons - see Graeme
The McPhersons - see Brandon
The MacMillans - see Nick
The Mairs - see Gabby

The Ranyaks - see Emily
The Schmills - see Matt


There are so many others as well, including the Lynch family setting up a foundation in memory of Conor, the Martin family who work with middle school students to help enact safer school zone laws in Florida in memory of Shaye, the Fosters who worked with legislators, friends, and city officials to enact a new law in Texas in memory of Kyle - and the list goes on.


Each story of these loved ones calls us to a compassionate response when it comes to our own driving behaviors, and, perhaps, in taking the opportunity to simply listen to someone we know who has experienced the death of a loved one. As we all know, but may not always say, the last thing we want to have happen is for others to forget our loved one. Stories keep the love and life they shared, and continue to share, alive.


Each year we try to do our part to keep the stories of loved ones alive through the annual "Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Run to Remember." Learn more at "Run to Remember."


In the meantime, let's each take the words of David Townsend to heart when he compassionately invites us to remember his daughter Tia, and all loved ones who die in traffic incidents:


"Don't let the 2 minutes you 'save' be the last 2 minutes of someone's life."


May we all move forward - on foot, on pedal, and in motor vehicles - with compassion.


Tom Everson
www.KeepKidsAliveDrive25.org