Wow.
I was just reading some coverage of the Laci Peterson case, and a quote caught my eye that made my heart catch in my throat for a moment:
Kim Petersen, a spokeswoman for Laci Peterson's family, the Rochas, read a statement ...
"Just as Christmas Eve is a family time, Easter is also a time for families. We request that you would allow our family to have this weekend to deal with these recent developments together in private,"
Just over three years ago, my mother died suddenly on December 20th ... she was buried on Christmas Eve of 1999. That was unquestionably the worst day of my life.
My world was completely shattered, but there were other things to worry about.
My father was awaiting surgery for throat cancer at the time. Surgery, treatment, after-care ... (yeah, I'm glossing over) ... my father was living his third week of independence from care this time three years ago.
I last spoke with him on Good Friday of the year 2000.
He complained that he had nothing to do for Easter as my sister was going to the in-laws, so I told him I'd come over to his condo to cook and share Easter dinner with him.
Sunday came around. I got up around noon and tried to call my dad. No answer. Two o'clock. No answer. Four o'clock. No answer. I drove over. The lights were on, but he wasn't answering the bell or his phone. I called my sister (she had the extra set of keys) and then waited the longest 45 minutes of my life for my brother-in-law to show up.
I knew. I just fucking knew.
Jimmy told me to stay back while he opened the door ... I guess he knew, too.
The TV was on and my father lay dead on his living room floor.
The only thing I could do was chuckle at the holiday connection as the tears ran down my face.
I was just reading some coverage of the Laci Peterson case, and a quote caught my eye that made my heart catch in my throat for a moment:
Kim Petersen, a spokeswoman for Laci Peterson's family, the Rochas, read a statement ...
"Just as Christmas Eve is a family time, Easter is also a time for families. We request that you would allow our family to have this weekend to deal with these recent developments together in private,"
Just over three years ago, my mother died suddenly on December 20th ... she was buried on Christmas Eve of 1999. That was unquestionably the worst day of my life.
My world was completely shattered, but there were other things to worry about.
My father was awaiting surgery for throat cancer at the time. Surgery, treatment, after-care ... (yeah, I'm glossing over) ... my father was living his third week of independence from care this time three years ago.
I last spoke with him on Good Friday of the year 2000.
He complained that he had nothing to do for Easter as my sister was going to the in-laws, so I told him I'd come over to his condo to cook and share Easter dinner with him.
Sunday came around. I got up around noon and tried to call my dad. No answer. Two o'clock. No answer. Four o'clock. No answer. I drove over. The lights were on, but he wasn't answering the bell or his phone. I called my sister (she had the extra set of keys) and then waited the longest 45 minutes of my life for my brother-in-law to show up.
I knew. I just fucking knew.
Jimmy told me to stay back while he opened the door ... I guess he knew, too.
The TV was on and my father lay dead on his living room floor.
The only thing I could do was chuckle at the holiday connection as the tears ran down my face.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
1. autumn.... no question about it....
2.when I moved into my first apartrment....
3. well my father tried.... my neighbor is currently teaching me.....