LITTLE ROCK — A Forever Reminder....

The distance is just slightly more than half a mile and the time involved less than five minutes. But that halfmile and five minutes can last forever.

It is morning, the first day of a new school year. And the confusion and frustration and resulting helterskelter dash to meet new deadlines has arrived.

It is difficult. Helping a second grader get ready for school is a chore. With a 5-year-old starting kindergarten, the pressure is even greater. And this morning the 2-year-old poured cereal all over the kitchen floor.

This could describe the scene in several homes. It is an all-too-familiar scenario that, unfortunately, can have the trappings of tragedy.

It is 5 minutes to 8. The second grader is bouncing in the car, the 5-year-oldshows uncertainty and needs reassurance. And the 2-year-old? Yes, he is screaming as mom jerks him from the highchair and heads for the car.

Will she make it to school on time? It is only about a half-mile. Probably less than 5 minutes away. But the traffic, the traffic. That half-mile and those few minutes are a lifetime, or a....

Thankfully, the car starts. Sometimes later in the winter that can be another obstacle to overcome. But today the engine purrs smoothly.

Quickly, back out of the driveway the wheels turn. On to the main road, the front wheels point toward the waiting doors of the school. Slowly at first, the wheels turn, then pick up speed.

We’ll make it, the driver thinks. We’re going to make it. Just a few more blocks. Ifonly that car ahead would move faster. Just a few more streets to cross.

Approaching the house of learning from another direction is another car, or perhaps a pickup. The driver grips the wheel solidly. His morning has been no less frantic.

The accident report relates the grim story. Probably neither driver saw the other. Neither was able to brake or swerve to avoid the crunch and crash as steel met steel.

Neither driver was able to retrace 5 minutes to buckle a bouncing child in a car seat. The 2-year-old never had a chance.

Half a mile. Five minutes. That’s a short distance and little time. But they are forever. There is no second chance.

Parents, take an extra minute to buckle those children in their car seats. Take an extra 10 seconds to buckle your own seat belt.

Half a mile. Five minutes. Forever depends on you.

Dodie Evans is the editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by email at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 6 on 08/15/2012