Many feel the ripples that stem from tragedy, but it crashes down like a wave on immediate family.
After the plane crash that took the lives of nearly the entire roster of the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, the hockey community quickly came together to mourn those we lost. Focus on their playing days obscures the fact that these men were fathers, sons and brothers along with being professional athletes.
Last night, we came across a blog that offered a wrenching glimpse at what the family goes through when the patriarch is taken from them.
Jeff Chick lives in Dallas and blogs at AChicksPespective. Under the headline "Reality Check," he tells a story about transporting the family of former Dallas Stars defenseman Karlis Skrastins to the airport following his death in the KHL aviation tragedy.
It really brings the heartbreak of this terrible accident home. From Chick:
Within a couple of minutes, a man comes out to let me know that the family will be out in a few moments. He alerts me to the situation, and tells me not to offer condolences because the children don't know, and then he returns to the house. I can't even imagine what his widow must be going through. My heart weeps for her. I am so glad this will be a short ride.
Then it happens. 2 girls, about 2 and 5 come running out the door, completely elated about the trip they are about to go on. Long blonde hair, blue eyes and giant smiles. I nearly burst into tears. My body gets tight. Every second feels like an eternity. The pain inside me is almost unbearable. I don't even know these people and I am on the verge of a breakdown, right in their driveway. Knowing that these girls are utterly oblivious, to the true nature of their trip, is agonizing. I can't help but think of my own children, and what it would be like if they woke up tomorrow and I was gone forever.
The full story is here. Get the tissues ready.
One more Skrastins tribute to pass along: a photo gallery from photographer Shannon Byrne that captures the charisma and intensity of his NHL playing days (via ESPN Dallas).
We expect to have more on the KHL's plans to honor the memories of its players, and on their logistics for the season, later today.