When forgiveness isn’t a simple act

A few weeks ago, Kolbe Klindt’s typical Saturday afternoon became very atypical.

While spending the afternoon with his father, the 4-year-old Henderson boy’s life took a near tragic turn when he was struck by an ATV. The little boy was thrown into the air, landing into a building, before the ATV landed on top of him.

Every bone in his face was broken, his lungs were bruised and he suffered multiple interior bleeding on his brain.

While he did recover from these critical injuries, several more surgeries and medical procedures await this previously healthy boy.

As for the ATV’s driver, Garret Horgdal, he is now facing several charges stemming from the accident, including driving under the influence and driving without a valid license.

Horgdal, who had previously been convicted of OWI, reportedly had been drinking alcohol and was warned by those at the party/barbecue that he shouldn’t be driving.

Horgdal disregarded his friends’ warnings and as a result, Kolbe spent the next five days in a hospital.

However, despite all that time in the hospital and despite the fact Horgdal exceeded the maximum blood alcohol content level on a breathalyzer administered at the scene, he’s escaped scorn and animosity from the most likely candidates: Kolbe’s parents.

Amazingly, the person I’d expect the most anger from, Kolbe’s mother, isn’t angry at all.

“It was just an accident,” Ashley Klindt said after her son returned home from the hospital. “He (Horgdal) would never mean to do anything like this.”

Friend or no friend, neighbor or no neighbor, I would find this kind of forgiveness and compassion difficult to come by had my son been the victim in this kind of accident.

I can accept accidents happen. But when the perpetrator has been forewarned and ignored the pleadings of those around him, the line distinguishing an accident and selfish recklessness quickly becomes blurred.   

I don’t know if Ashley’s forgiveness is faith-based or not, but regardless, it is worth noting in this case, and admiring.

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at  publisher@redoakexpress.com