Christian pop star Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter died yesterday when a sibling accidentally backed over her with the family car. It happened in their driveway with other family members right there.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I heard the news this morning. The Chapmans were an inspiration for us, and one of the reasons we ended up adopting from China. I've spoken to him a few times, but I can't really say I know him. I do know a lot of record industry people who have worked closely with him, and he's just a really decent, caring guy. They're a good family, sincere Christians, and people who have really tried to make a difference in the world. It's the classic "Why do bad things happen to good people" scenario, compounded infinitely by the tragic circumstances.
We're the same age--45, and their daughter Maria (adopted from China) was the same age as our daughter Julie (also adopted from China). My wife and I each (separately) talked with Julie about what happened, and about some other stories we've heard of the same thing happening in eerily similar circumstances. A few months ago here in Wisconsin, a state lawmaker ran over and killed his own granddaughter, not realizing she had made her way into the driveway as he was leaving. These aren't negectful parents, which in a way makes it even worse. They'll spend the rest of their lives haunted by what they wish they'd done.
"A man is not really convinced of a philosophic theory when he finds that something proves it. He is only really convinced when he finds that everything proves it." -G.K. Chesterton
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