“He was never troubled by anything and was so quick to laugh, no words can adequately describe the hole his death has left.”
These are the words of the Wedmans, who just suffered the biggest loss any family can experience – the loss of a child.
Last Friday six-year-old Thomas Wedman was walking to Ă©cole Marie Poburan with his dad, Jeff, and his older brother. Thomas ran ahead to wait at the corner of Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Woodlands Road, where a school bus was about to turn. According to Jeff, it appeared as if the bus would stop, so Thomas stepped onto the road. The bus, unfortunately, did not stop and it hit Thomas, killing him instantly.
That moment in time will forever be with the Wedman family, and indeed all of those who know the family, and those who knew Thomas, from his peers in his Grade 2 class to the staff at Ă©cole Marie Poburan. The community of St. Albert has shown an outpouring of support for the Wedmans through social media channels. Perfect strangers have reached out to the family with empathy and compassion. Porch lights were left on in St. Albert, across Canada and even as far away as Europe in memory of Thomas.
Jeff Wedman has been an absolute pillar of strength since that fateful Friday morning.
“People shouldn’t be strangers,” he says. “Our door is open for people to say their condolences and for any friends that have been keeping their distance out of respect and privacy. We’re quite happy to receive people and have them share in our sadness.”
The dignity this man has shown is almost inconceivable. He has opened up his family’s home to aid others in the grieving process. In his time of need he’s genuinely concerned about helping people.
In perhaps the ultimate tribute to Thomas, the family is donating his heart valves to help better the lives of two other children. Thomas may be gone, but he too has helped others.
In the spirit of Thomas, the family has asked for donations to the Human Organ Procurement and Exchange Program. Every donation can help save the life of someone who is in need of an organ transplant. Last Friday’s tragedy has spawned the hope of life for others. The Wedmans need our prayers, and they deserve our gratitude.
