Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

Many thoughts have gone through my mind in the last week since I found out that another precious child in our community suffered a terrible tragedy and ultimately passed away while on vacation with his family in Florida.

The news of little 1-year-old Easton LaFrance struck a chord with me as his death came the same week as the 1 1/2-year anniversary since my daughter, Sophie, died in 2016.

My mind flashed back to when I first got the call of Sophie’s crash and the about hour and 45 minutes that passed before she was pronounced deceased in the emergency room at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. Then I thought about the minutes, hours, days, weeks and months that have followed.

My heart sank to know that someone else in our community would have to join the unofficial club of other parents who have lost a child. There is nothing easy about what they will have to endure.

On one hand I was sad to think about the heartache, the what-ifs and the unfilled seat that will now be at the LaFrance’s table. But on the other hand, I was comforted to know that this family, who was known to many, is living in this community. Albert Lea has many generous and kind-hearted people, and if tragedy is going to strike, there is no community that responds better than Albert Lea.

I remember the messages, the hugs, the meals, the monetary donations and the balloons after Sophie’s death. While that pain we felt was still there, the support buoyed us up and helped us in the initial blow of her passing.

This last week I have again been proud to see our community step up — this time to support the LaFrance family — through monetary donations, prayers, messages and meals. As of Monday afternoon, people had donated more than $18,600 in a short week’s time.

I bet there are many other things that have been done to support this wonderful family behind the scenes, and I’m sure many other kind deeds and wishes will come in the future, as well.

So many times, we as human beings ask, “Why?” Why does a little child have to experience something like this, and why do parents, family members and friends have to face this trial?

We often don’t know the answers to those questions, but I know that when we face these trials together, we are better able to endure.

Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, ongoing sickness, disability or some other challenge, the trials can be endless. We don’t always know what others around us face, so lend a hand of support when you are able.

I ask that you please remember Darin and Nicole LaFrance and their family and friends in your thoughts and prayers today and in the days, weeks and months to come.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.