So I've been a little disjointed the last couple of hours, and I'm starting to see why (don't fret, my stories always come together...well, at least in my head they do). What a jacked up Tuesday yesterday was....
But before I get to yesterday, a little backstory, or the story before the story. About 10 years ago, I was on the phone (albeit briefly) with my Pops when he told me a harrowing tale, how he had tried to drive home drunk and almost clipped a telephone pole. And while I could sit here in judgement, we've all been there. Doesn't make it right, but damn near everyone has driven home when they are less than 100%. What freaked me out wasn't his reaction to his own admitted stupidity, but what he thought about whom else he would hurt by his actions. He'd hurt himself, his family, and more important than that to him-someone else's family. He made a solemn promise to Ma Dukes and to me that he would never get behind the wheel crocked again. Now, I'm not sure if he did or not, but I do know that Ma Dukes picked him up from the bar a whole bunch more, he took more cabs, and got more rides after he told me this. I think it smacked me into place a little bit, and now I rarely drink more than 3 beers when I'm out. At 250 lbs., I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Now, if someone else is driving? I still don't go nuts. At least I hope not.
So I tell you this story so I can tell you another story, one that just happened, is still happening, and how it is going to impact all those involved. In my last blog posting I talked about Yuppie Buddy and his wife. Well, her world just got turned upside down by something that happened across the country. We can all learn a lesson from this, so take notes if you feel the need....
RIP Lisa
Lisa was Yuppie Buddy Wife's Maid of Honor (Yuppie Buddy Wife will be known as YBW from here on out in the blog), and the wedding was on 10/10/09. Look at your calendar. Do it. That was a little over 8 months ago. I had met Lisa a whopping 3 times, but in thinking that I'm a decent judge of character, knew she was a great lady. She was YBW's bestest friend, they spoke every other day, even when YBW lives in Denver and Lisa lived in Pittsburgh.
I say this all in past tense because Lisa was hit by a car on Monday afternoon, pushing along a stroller with her 1 and 3 year old munchkins in it. A 20 yr old male with 4 previous traffic violations ran a stop sign, hitting all 3. There is a report that Lisa pushed the stroller in one last attempt to save her children. I should mention that in the few times I got to hang out with Lisa, she not only seemed like a great lady but a really cool Mom. And that was her job, her choice, to be a stay at home Mom. Well, Lisa took most of the brunt of the SUV that hit her and had head trauma. Yesterday around 1 PM EST she lost her battle.
Because of someone failing to pay attention, a sweet person is gone from this world. Now, a husband has no wife for which to share in the joy of being together, raising kids, having barbeques, hanging Christmas decorations, holding hands and growing old together. 3 children-ages 4, 3 and 1-will hear nothing when they yell out "Ma!", will be missing a piece of themselves, will be missing the person that kisses their owies, gives them hugs and tells them to just keep trying and all will work itself out.
I'm mad as hell, but only for my own selfish sadness. I told my Yuppie Buddy to just give the Misses a giant hug from me. They will be on a plane to Pittsburgh on Saturday to remember a friend who was taken way too soon by someone else's foolishness. I can't fathom not being able to pick up the phone and call my best friends. That day is supposed to come when we get old and have lived a full life, one of laughter, joy, sadness, heartache and all the other good stuff that makes us friends. Not now. It's too damn soon. 36 is not old, it's barely midlife.
So pay attention
I'm begging you-stop at the stop sign. Don't drink and drive. Call a cab. Hell, I have no money and no job and I'll pick up the tab. Because you tell me by reading what I just typed above and tell me there is no such thing as a 'Butterfly Effect', when I can tell you that there certainly is.
Lisa will be missed, she is gone but will not be forgotten. A great lady and a great Mom taken far too soon. So do something about it. I already did today...no more rolling stops.
Godspeed Lisa Styles.
But before I get to yesterday, a little backstory, or the story before the story. About 10 years ago, I was on the phone (albeit briefly) with my Pops when he told me a harrowing tale, how he had tried to drive home drunk and almost clipped a telephone pole. And while I could sit here in judgement, we've all been there. Doesn't make it right, but damn near everyone has driven home when they are less than 100%. What freaked me out wasn't his reaction to his own admitted stupidity, but what he thought about whom else he would hurt by his actions. He'd hurt himself, his family, and more important than that to him-someone else's family. He made a solemn promise to Ma Dukes and to me that he would never get behind the wheel crocked again. Now, I'm not sure if he did or not, but I do know that Ma Dukes picked him up from the bar a whole bunch more, he took more cabs, and got more rides after he told me this. I think it smacked me into place a little bit, and now I rarely drink more than 3 beers when I'm out. At 250 lbs., I'm pretty sure I can handle it. Now, if someone else is driving? I still don't go nuts. At least I hope not.
So I tell you this story so I can tell you another story, one that just happened, is still happening, and how it is going to impact all those involved. In my last blog posting I talked about Yuppie Buddy and his wife. Well, her world just got turned upside down by something that happened across the country. We can all learn a lesson from this, so take notes if you feel the need....
RIP Lisa
Lisa was Yuppie Buddy Wife's Maid of Honor (Yuppie Buddy Wife will be known as YBW from here on out in the blog), and the wedding was on 10/10/09. Look at your calendar. Do it. That was a little over 8 months ago. I had met Lisa a whopping 3 times, but in thinking that I'm a decent judge of character, knew she was a great lady. She was YBW's bestest friend, they spoke every other day, even when YBW lives in Denver and Lisa lived in Pittsburgh.
I say this all in past tense because Lisa was hit by a car on Monday afternoon, pushing along a stroller with her 1 and 3 year old munchkins in it. A 20 yr old male with 4 previous traffic violations ran a stop sign, hitting all 3. There is a report that Lisa pushed the stroller in one last attempt to save her children. I should mention that in the few times I got to hang out with Lisa, she not only seemed like a great lady but a really cool Mom. And that was her job, her choice, to be a stay at home Mom. Well, Lisa took most of the brunt of the SUV that hit her and had head trauma. Yesterday around 1 PM EST she lost her battle.
Because of someone failing to pay attention, a sweet person is gone from this world. Now, a husband has no wife for which to share in the joy of being together, raising kids, having barbeques, hanging Christmas decorations, holding hands and growing old together. 3 children-ages 4, 3 and 1-will hear nothing when they yell out "Ma!", will be missing a piece of themselves, will be missing the person that kisses their owies, gives them hugs and tells them to just keep trying and all will work itself out.
I'm mad as hell, but only for my own selfish sadness. I told my Yuppie Buddy to just give the Misses a giant hug from me. They will be on a plane to Pittsburgh on Saturday to remember a friend who was taken way too soon by someone else's foolishness. I can't fathom not being able to pick up the phone and call my best friends. That day is supposed to come when we get old and have lived a full life, one of laughter, joy, sadness, heartache and all the other good stuff that makes us friends. Not now. It's too damn soon. 36 is not old, it's barely midlife.
So pay attention
I'm begging you-stop at the stop sign. Don't drink and drive. Call a cab. Hell, I have no money and no job and I'll pick up the tab. Because you tell me by reading what I just typed above and tell me there is no such thing as a 'Butterfly Effect', when I can tell you that there certainly is.
Lisa will be missed, she is gone but will not be forgotten. A great lady and a great Mom taken far too soon. So do something about it. I already did today...no more rolling stops.
Godspeed Lisa Styles.
1 comment:
I am so sorry for the loss. My heart and thoughts go out to your friends and Lisa's family.
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