Bend in road breaks apart family

By Katie Hubbard
John Adams Middle School

My dad and I were very close. We shared special bonds for the first five years of my life. I remember how his coins jingled in his pocket and the times when we would sit with baseball caps on, watching the NASCAR races.

But all of these happy memories fade when I realize that he’s not here with me anymore. Something simple, such as looking through family photo albums, brings back the horrible, nightmarish day from the summer of 1997.

One Sunday afternoon, my family and I were driving home from an exciting afternoon full of surprises. First, we went to a toy store where I was allowed to pick anything I wanted. I chose a simple baby doll that I called “Eric Jr.”

Then we drove to Oceana to see my grandma. While there, I took in the aroma of fired chicken and homemade biscuits.

Finally, we were driving home on a highway that seemed to stretch for miles. All of the excitement had worn me out, and I fell asleep in the front seat with Eric Jr. tucked beside me. My dad drove, and my mom took care of my new baby brother.

This seemed to be the perfect day, and I thought nothing could go wrong. Then a man with alcohol and drug habits came around a sharp curve on the wrong side of the road. As my dad reached out to keep me from moving, there was a head-on collision.

Soon, the rest of my family was notified about the accident, and the great day turned into a disaster.

As my family and I were rushed to the hospital, our relatives rushed to CAMC General Hospital. While my mother and I lay unconscious in a critical care unit, my family received bad news: my dad had died. The doctors said he died instantly while reaching out to grab me, and there was nothing they could do.

This was devastating to them, but as the tears fell down their faces, they just hoped my mother and I could live, even though the chances were slim. Sixteen days later, we were released from the hospital, and nine years later, everything is normal except for the fact that I’m in a wheelchair.

Even though I have a new dad that I love, he could never replace the dad I lost. Sometimes I even feel guilty that I’m alive, but I know he wouldn’t want me to feel that way.

Now all I have is memories and pictures. They bring out the emotions that I store inside me. When the pain gets too much to bear, I just cry and let everything out. But I also remember the happy times that make me laugh so hard I could fall out of my chair. The positive moments make me realize all the special times we had and be thankful for the precious time we spent together.

My dad has changed me to be the person I am today. His death made me realize I should live life to the fullest because it’s too short to waste valuable time and that I should always be happy and have a positive spin on things no matter how bad they seem at the time. Now, I can be at peace with my father’s death because I know he’s not suffering.