On June 17, 2010 life as I knew it changed forever. My dear sweet father was killed in a tragic accident at 50th & Hopkins Switch. It was an open intersection and neither was able to see the other. He was killed instantly. He never knew what hit him.
I got the call at work from my aunt. I checked my voice mail at lunch hearing her tell me to call her right away. I thought something had happened to Uncle Al, being that he is 80. Never in a million years did I believe it was going to be such horrible, awful news. I called my mom cuz I thought that she would know what was going on--if something had happened to Uncle Al. The guy who answered the phone tells me that there was a detective and the preacher there to talk to her in her office. I said, "Shit! Thank you. I'll just call my aunt." I called Auntie as I was walking across the lunch room to my regular table and as I set my bag down she answered and said, "Mindy, honey. Your dad was killed in a car accident this morning. Oh honey, I'm so sorry..." She said more but I wasn't listening. JESUS-NO-JESUS-NO- TELL ME YOU'RE LYING! TELL ME THIS ISN'T TRUE!!! OH GOD- NO!!! I was hysterical! This couldn't be true. Couldn't be happening. Not daddy. Not my sweet, wonderful, precious father.
Some lady came running to see what was wrong. I told her. She took me to her office. She called Lindley for me and Shaun. She got the ops mgr, Ryan to discuss my job. They told me to take all the time I need. Lindley finally came. I cried on her shoulder. She took me to get my things and wait with me outside until Shaun came. Shaun took me home. I packed our bags and grabbed what I could because I know I'd be gone a while. We left about 2pm and drove all night. We got here about 430am. I crawled in bed with mama. We talked, we cried, we held each other and cried some more.
The rest of Friday was a blur. We went to the scene of the accident, went to the funeral home to see daddy. My precious daddy all laid out looking like he was just sleeping. Oh, how I prayed he'd just wake up!! How I prayed this was just some sick joke. That he really isn't gone. I touched him. He was so cold and hard. Kissed him on the forehead. Cried a million more tears. I didn't want to leave him. Went back more than once to see him. Left him some crackers and a pepsi and his walking stick. Talked to him like he was just standing there. Went back on Saturday (the 19th) and left him a Father's Day card. The last one I'll ever buy him. Cried some more. We had the funeral. Over 150 ppl were there. Daddy would have been so impressed. Played songs that I know he liked. His casket is 15 feet in front of me. I just wanted to crawl inside with him or be lowered into the ground with him. A part of me died that day. This whole week has been a blur. Everyone asks when I'm going home. I don't know. Mom says a couple more weeks she will know where we are. If she will still need me. Of course, I would like to be able to stay forever but I know I can't. I know I eventually have to get back to Georgia. Back to work and my life but until then I'm going to be here with mom. Helping her through the best I can.
I have been so busy with cleaning this week. Well, we started cleaning Wednesday after Bubby and Shaun left. It was nice having Bubby around for a few days. It was fabulous having my husband here for a few days too helping me, us, through this. He is always so supportive and loves me for me. He really loved and admired daddy. I mean, who wouldn't, right?! Dad was all that and a bag of chips with a pepsi on the side..to GO!! I am a little worried about finances but I know we will be fine. God is in control.
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