April 25, 2007
A Sad Day
I work in the Audiology field and one of the tasks of my job is to check the newspaper obituaries to see if any of our patients have passed away. It’s something we do so as to send a sympathy card as well as update our computer system. There is nothing worse than calling a patient only to discover the person has died.
Imagine my suprise when I opened yesterday’s newspaper and learned that a young man I knew had died.
Peter and I went to the same high school. He was two grades behind me. We had spoken several times, yet we never really knew each other well. I had a huge crush on his older brother my sophomore year, and his older sister kicked my tail at the Powder Puff (girls flag football) game that same year.
My mother is a school bus driver and his house was a stop on her route. I tried to call my mom to let her know what happened, but received her voicemail. I didn’t leave a message. I was still in shock.
Coincidentally, my mother came to visit me at lunch and I broke the news. I watched my mother’s heart break. She was in shock, just like me. It was then that I began to cry.
It is so tragic when a life is lost. Peter was a great guy. He was always smiling in the halls at school. He was a joker, too.
I remember a time when Peter, his brother and sister came into my father’s tavern for a Chucklehead (a special drink we served). He was friendly and kind, willing to talk football with my dad for a few minutes and always said “please” and “thank you”. I remember he had such wonderful manners.
Isn’t it funny….? The things we remember about a person….
The strangest thing about all of this is that I just recently saw Peter around the college campus. It was only last week when I was taking Dawson to daycare. I remembered smiling and waving and he waved back.
Life is so precious and time is so short.
I can’t imagine the grief his family is experiencing. I can only pray for Peter and his loved ones.
The visitation is tonight. My mother and I plan to attend. Part of me is nervous. I can’t explain why.
May God be with you, Pete.
Posted by Dana @ 8:33 AM • Uncategorized
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April 25th, 2007 at 1:51 PM, Janet a.k.a Wonder Mom Says:
Aw Jeez, that’s horrible news. And what a way to find out. I’m so sorry Dana!
April 25th, 2007 at 3:38 PM, Violet the Verbose Says:
I’m sorry, that is so hard. I think it’s neat that he went into your dad’s tavern with his siblings. That’s something my siblings and I would probably never do, even if we all lived in the same place. That’s great that you and your mom are both going to the wake. Seems like these things never get easier or seem okay, but at least you will have some closure.
April 25th, 2007 at 7:43 PM, Allison Says:
Oh I am so sorry. I’ve been reading the obituaries for parents and grandparents of friends. It was something my dad does every morning. Often, I’ll call him while I ride the train to work just to see if he saw the obit I saw.
But to read a peer, and a friend at that, is a kick in the gut. How awful. It will be wierd. Aren’t we still in the invisible stage of life?
Hang in there.
April 25th, 2007 at 8:03 PM, Katy Says:
Hi Dana:
I actually came over here to discuss something you wrote over at Mochamomma’s space. You talked about the lack of conservative bloggers out there, and I have to say that I agree and disagree. I agree that there is very little attention paid to conservative bloggers. I’ve been following a lot of the blogher editorials lately and it does seem that things lean to the left over there. That being said, I think there are conservative bloggers–I think that many of them are relative unknowns. Perhaps, as time passes, more and more of them will get their chance in the spotlight. Excellent point, though.
April 26th, 2007 at 8:01 AM, dana Says:
Thank you all for your kind words. Peter had so many friends that it was nearly impossible for his family to notify them all other than using an obit.
I stood in a line for an hour and a half just to pay my last respects. I was fine until I saw the open casket. Then I lost all composure. I couldn’t take it.
His family was so distraught. His sister is now expecting and I can’t imagine the grief. Peter also left behind two nephews. Looking at the pictures of him with those babies just broke my heart.
I don’t even know what else to say.
April 27th, 2007 at 2:27 PM, tanilan Says:
That is a horrible way to find out about a friend. That happened to me once and it hurt really bad.
I send you a big hug and a prayer for Peter’s family.