Family Tragedy

by Jay
(Texas)

(Pic added by editor)

I come from a big family, 6 brothers and sisters. We are all past 50 now, and have grown kids and lots of grandkids running around. On occasion, we would remark on how fortunate we were that we had not lost anybody in the family, to illness or accident.(Although we did lose our Dad to an aneurysm a few years back).

The year 2007 slammed us with tragedy. In the blink of an eye, we lost a beautiful 14 year old girl first and a few months later, a 34 year old man (father of two babies).

First we lost Krista, in January, she was riding in a car with her boyfriend. He changed lanes and did not see a truck coming up on that lane. The truck rode right over their small sedan, killing Krista in the passenger seat instantly. She was a special young lady, very smart and never in trouble. She was the kind of person who went out of her way to be nice and give comfort to her friends. She was very popular and loved by all. Her death has crushed her grandmother Marsha, great-grand Faye, grandfather Roy, and of course, her father Jeff, my nephew, is devastated. What a horrible waste.

Then, in early November, Stevie was killed on his motorcycle. He had 2 small children, 6 and 2 years old, who will miss him very much. Stevie had a bit of a wild side, but had apparently gotten his act together lately, and was coming out of that. He loved his children dearly. We are all very sad that these two young kids were taken away from our family so suddenly and tragically.

We had a family reunion over thanksgiving and it was bittersweet. Good to see all the siblings again (we are scattered coast to coast), but still a sad occasion for us all. We released two white doves in remembrance, which was beautiful.

Never take your good health and good fortune for granted, because it can happen to anybody, any family. Keep your loved ones close and tell them how much you love them. Krista and Stevie will be sorely missed by us all.