Who can explain?

Sometimes it is impossible to explain why things happen the way they do. I could talk about slipping on the ice and breaking three ribs the week before Christmas. Who can explain why I spent a week fooling around with the Christmas decorations, and hadn't done any shopping before I fell? Or I could ask for someone to explain why it hurts so much? Who can explain why a Deputy Sheriff robbed a store to get the same pain pills the doctor had prescribed for me and which Phyllis had just picked up from Kaiser - they only cost 10 cents each [basically a codeine/tylonol combination]?

These aren't really what I want to ask about. Yesterday Phyllis' sister called to tell us that her estranged adult son had been shot 2 days before Christmas and died instantly. No he wasn't in Iraq. No it was not gang related. He had a gun which he wanted to sell and was showing it to a buyer. You guessed it, he was killed by an "empty gun." All of a sudden my broken ribs seemed awfully unimportant. No matter how strained the relationship, a mother should not lose her child this way.

Who can explain why we let relationships get so messed up, when we love each other? Why can't we just mend the hurts? Why can't we just let our pride go and take those steps so needed to bring us together with those we've somehow hurt, or who have probably unwittingly hurt us? To grieve a child who has died is beyond what I can imagine. To grieve one who has been taken by a stupid mistake would be even harder, but to lose a child who had an issue with you, knowing it will never be resolved, must be about the worst thing that can happen to a parent.

I know, both must be willing. --- We have good friends whose 13 year old granddaughter has run away -- she's been brought home several times, but runs as soon as she can get out the door. Emily, I know you will probably not read this, but this is what I would like to say to you. "No matter what has happened either at home or elsewhere, this is not worth the pain to you or your family. Even though they may not know how to show it, you will never know a love like that of your parents. Please for the sake of your Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus come home. Try to make things right. If anything should happen to you or them, the pain and regrets will never leave the survivors." God, help her understand.

Who can explain? Help me understand.