For whatever reason, the third of April has repeatedly provided me with some type of bad experience.
Call it fate, bad karma or just a more intimate awareness of incidents occuring on this date. But since 1974, oddly bad things have happened either to me or around me.
The first was a series of tornados 31 years ago on this date, which doubles as my half-birthday, if there is such a thing. The twisters tore apart the state of Indiana, including three that passed just south of my southern Bartholomew County home. While my elementary school put us on buses for home in the midst of a hailstorm, our neighbors stood and watched the three tornados from their picture window.
Since then, it’s been odd. I recall receiving an injury at some point in my childhood on April 3. There was a tragic accident in Madison, Indiana, on that date, prior to my arrival, however. And peculiar little things, like running out of gas, having a utility shut off and some things too personal to share.
Lately, I’ve felt that the “jinx,” if you care to call it that, has been lifted, though. Thinking back over the last few April Thirds, I don’t remember much bad happening. Today was, for the most part, one of those.
After church and lunch, I took Zach fishing at Bear Lake, in northwestern Brown County. If the day were measured by the fishing success, it would be a failure. But it isn’t, and wasn’t. We had a wonderful time, despite nary a nibble. But being outside on such a beautiful day with my youngest son — on my half-birthday, nonetheless — was a terrific treat.
I’m so glad that Zach enjoys fishing. I’m happy to find anything he enjoys doing, and even more so to participate in it with him.
On the downside, a horrific trend continued in our county today.
Last year, seven of 11 traffic fatalities in this small community were motorcyclists, drawn to the twisting, winding roads that allow them to challenge their bike riding skills on sunny spring, summer and autumn days.
Today, another biker lost his life by driving recklessly and out of control. I don’t know any other details at this point, but I did go out to photograph it for the newspaper. CPR was performed at the scene, but once EMS arrived, it was determined that the injuries were mortal.
I don’t know what can be done about this terrible trend. We’ve tried to cover the fatalities as much as possible, hoping that riders would learn the danger lurking around every sharp curve. But that’s not doing the job.
For me, it just adds to the April 3 mystery. I wish I understood it better.