My sister and I are early risers, so it’s not unusual for us to text each other before the sun comes up. But when I woke up to a message from her the morning of March 26, 2024, I knew something was wrong. She had heard about a container ship hitting Maryland’s Key Bridge causing it to collapse earlier that morning. She was texting to make sure that we were safe; my husband, especially. He drives 18-wheelers for UPS and works a lot of night shifts. Besides the Key Bridge being only 3 miles from our home, it was a common part of his routes.
Fortunately, he was off that evening and was sound asleep next to me. We hardly ever sleep beside each other because of his unusual schedule, so I’m always grateful to feel his warmth next to me. This particular morning I was even more grateful.
I could hear helicopters all morning searching for survivors in the wreckage. Later that day, someone posted a video of the accident. I usually avoid watching those videos, but this time I felt like I had to. There was a part of me that hoped watching the video would bring a little relief. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as I imagined. And maybe seeing that it wasn’t so bad would give me a little hope that everyone on the bridge survived.
The video was a very clear image that showed the cargo ship and most of the bridge, both well-lit in the early morning hours. You can see the ship lose power and when it regains power less than a minute later. You can also see the ship course correcting as soon as the power comes back on. From the angle of the video, it looks like it could actually make it out safely. I found myself wishing that the ship would make it through as if it hadn’t already crashed into the bridge hours ago. It felt like a punch in the gut when the entire visible expanse of the bridge collapsed in a matter of seconds.
Seconds. That’s all it takes for our lives to be changed. Seconds for the ship’s power to turn off and come back on. Seconds for the bridge to collapse. Seconds for the lives of the victims’, their families, and those on the cargo ship to be hit by a tragedy.
I prefer to post messages that give hope and inspiration. I can find it in this situation – making every second count; not taking our loved ones for granted; being thankful for my husband’s schedule, one that I had hated until it kept him safe at home that night.
Still, sometimes hope and inspiration just have to wait. Sometimes we need more than seconds to sit. In our shock. In our confusion. In our uncertainty. In our grief.
My heart goes out to everyone who was impacted by this tragedy and the many other tragedies that happen all over the world each day. I hope they get all the seconds they need to heal. And for those of us who are able to go about our day joyfully and gratefully, I hope we can put a little more compassion and love out into the world for those who are suffering. You never know when a chance encounter with someone can be the second that changes their lives.
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