Sunday, the 9th, was my youngest son’s birthday
(2/9/79). For new readers, he died last St. Patrick’s Day. A 100% disabled Army
Medic; he left a wife and five children. The Spartanburg S.C. coroner ruled it
an accidental death caused by adverse medication reactions.
My admiration for his widow is deep and sincere. He knew
what he was doing when he married that woman! She has kept the family going and they persevere.
He was a warrior, and he met a warrior’s fate. Shit happens!
Over at Daily Timewaster is a video that captures his spirit
as a youth (less helmet).
Another picture from happier days in 1993 with his first new
car. Since it was my sales operation, he got a great deal! Put 150,000 miles on
that Kia.
Side note: I managed an offsite sales program for my boss,
Steve Lance. We held 30+ five day sales in 18 different Colorado towns over a
three year period.
Update from my daughter-in-law. "He'd be so proud of Crystal. She's the only oboe player in the Spartanburg Youth Philharmonic Orchestra"
Update from my daughter-in-law. "He'd be so proud of Crystal. She's the only oboe player in the Spartanburg Youth Philharmonic Orchestra"
13 comments:
dear fool
I understand the hole that is left, I lost my youngest, Tony, at the age of 3, I didn't see him and backed over him with a pickup truck, the hardest part was telling his not quite 5 year old brother that his best friend was gone. i know it's not the same as your loss but the hole is there none the less, my heart goes out to you and his family. God I know, I was so depressed, I know what depression is, and I still fight it,I stared down the black hole of suicide and it scares the shit out of you. It'd been 16 years now and it still hurts like hell. My deepest condolences to you and may God sooth the hurt in time, as they say, all you can do is offer it up to god.
Bless You
The Egyptian
Damn, that is hard! My friend, Charles Sampson, the bull rider backed over his son. His son wasn't killed, but was crippled for life.
If there are any easy answers, I've damn sure never heard them. Thank you for stopping and commenting.
At my son's viewing, a neighbor of ours a fellow crusty old farmer twenty years my senior, who lost two of his four sons as teenagers, grabbed me by the shoulder and I quote "David, some days you will just stop the tractor and bawl like a child, you have to do it, don't ever be ashamed". Very wise words if there ever were, don't be ashamed, I still tear up when i think of him, it's normal. i pray for the Virgin Mary to pick him up and give him a hug, and since my Dad passed this last year I pray to him the same, tell him i love him
Sorry for the sob stories but I get carried away when I write about it, once in a while I have to get it off my chest, you understand, I can tell
Like The Egyptian said: when the tears come, let them. You'll be better off physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Working at a PTSD treatment center for wounded warriors has taught me many things. That was one of the very first lessons.
When an amazing and strong person of integrity leaves us, we're all poorer for it.
I'm glad you have wonderful memories of your son to hold.
Thanks to all. I'm fortunate in my community there is a grief center and I went through their program. It helped, a lot.
When my son decided on the warrior path, we talked about it at some length. He was clear about the risks and was willing to accept them. His acceptance lead to my acceptance as did my father's acceptance when I went down that path. That may not make any sense to others.
My focus now is on his widow and children.
I know your pain is still real, but the pride is eident, too. There are many people alive today because he cared. Valhollow is in good hands today, too.
Thank you. He was very, very good at his job.
Remember the good. He helped untold numbers of folks to live. THAT is his legacy.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory. I will be sure to offer his intention and yours at the Altar.
OldNFO
LSP
Thank yo!
These sorts of sorrows never go away. I don't think that they are ever easier to come to terms with as time passes. And when it's your turn and my turn to meet our maker, we can only hope that we go out with the legacy that your son left, and a memory, like his that is a benediction.
LL
Thank you.
Post a Comment