My Sister's Birthday

Kim Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:39 am

My sister Karen, the baby girl in the center, on Christmas Morning 1957, and with her husband, Dale, on Christmas Morning 1974.

My Sister's Birthday Christ10

Tomorrow is her birthday...she would be 57. She died in 1979, literally tearing herself to pieces in a horrific car crash after having a few drinks with some "friends".

Her senseless death and subsequent closed casket funeral devastated Dale and the tiny woman that was my Mom.

I was so angry with her that I didn't go to her funeral.

If you claim to love anybody, you have an automatic obligation to care for yourself as much as you claim to love them, unless you're just full of crap and like to say pretty things.

If you just HAVE to drink to enjoy the life God has given you, please have the decency to park yourself somewhere until you're once again sober.

If you have someone you care about that's gonna drive drunk, talk them out of it, tackle them, or call the cops, but stop them.

**Cribbs74** Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:45 am

What a shame Kim. I am very sorry, I am sure today is going to be rough for you. No drinking and driving going on here, ever........

Kim Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:12 am

cribbs74 wrote:What a shame Kim. I am very sorry, I am sure today is going to be rough for you. No drinking and driving going on here, ever........

Thanks Ron. I tempered my pain a long time ago, but my Mom, of course, took it to her grave. The accident turned our Christmas's into a somewhat sad, but thankful "Roll Call" as we gave thanks for those of us still breathing and able to come home.

I have some close relatives who either never got the message or have chosen to ignore it, and all I can do is pray that they kill only themselves with their arrogant stupidity and not devastate some innocent family.

**Cribbs74** Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:43 am

I am ashamed to admit that I used to be one of those guys. When I first joined the military that was the thing to do. I thank God I never killed anybody. It took being involved in a bad accident (I wasn't drinking) for me to realize that was no longer for me.

The reason folks drink and drive is because it's inconvenient to get a cab or get a ride. Or the DD decides to drink. Pretty stupid reason eh? Guess it makes sense when you are less than sober.

So, if you drink plan ahead and stick with the plan no matter what.

andrew Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:25 am

cribbs74 wrote:
So, if you drink plan ahead and stick with the plan no matter what.

Kim, my condolences on losing your sister. The senseless loss of someone so young is always difficult to accept and dealing with the tragedy can be devastating to anyone close to them.

We told our kids that we knew they would probably experiment with drinking and if they did, not to drive or ride with someone who had been, but call home. We wanted them to know that it didn't matter what time it was or how far away they were, we would always come get them.

John Goddard Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:02 am

What a waste Kim.
Thinking of you Mate.

Mudhen Sun Dec 23, 2012 10:17 am

duke.johnson Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:13 am

Kim
I'm so sorry for your lose and pain. We had a man and his girlfriend living next to us for awhile, The man was driving drunk with his girlfriend (both late 40's, early 50's) and a young couple in the 20's. They were all coming back from a bar that was out in the middle of nowhere. Short story, everyone but the man's girlfriend died that night. She spent awhile in the hospital and within a year she was driving drunk again and killed luckly just herself. You seem to know God and He can help you through anything. I'll pray for you today. I'll talk to my family about your lose today, we should all try to spread the word this time of the year. Let everyone know "Don't Drink and Drive!" So sorry for your lose.

Kim Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:52 am

Thanks for all the comments guys. Right after I punched "send" on that post, I had a strong urge to pull it back, as I don't usually post personal items for the entire world to see, and didn't want to be taken as trying to stomp on the Holidays. I should also say that I've no problem with responsible drinking and hold no "High Horse" attitude because I choose to pass on it.

My Uncle Rudolph liked to say that, "Everybody has got tracks", and I've certainly got mine. I do sincerely hope that now that I've gone ahead and spilled this, we can all take the time to truly appreciate being alive, and cherish those who are still with us.

andrew Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:50 pm

Kim wrote:............and didn't want to be taken as trying to stomp on the Holidays.

I do sincerely hope that now that I've gone ahead and spilled this, we can all take the time to truly appreciate being alive, and cherish those who are still with us.

I can assure you that none of us took your post as anything but helping each of us to be mindful of how lucky we are. And for that, I thank you.

andrew

SuperDave Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:35 pm

Kim:

I share in the condolences expressed thus far.

Isn't it ironic that alcohol and it's abuse are tolerated largely because of the tax revenue they generate?

Most all of us have a personal story of alcohol related tragedy and lives lost needlessly. Though vehicles are now safer the march continues and more's the supreme pity.

Be a peace with your loss and remember the good times with your sister.

**Cribbs74** Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:50 pm

I took it as intended Kim. Besides we are all your extended family on here. Glad you shared and I really do appreciate my blessings and the time I have with my family. Merry Christmas!

duke.johnson Sun Dec 23, 2012 5:49 pm

Kim
We can all be here for much more than the toys we play with, Cox engines are the common denominator. As you can tell by the posts, "We've got your bacK". I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

dckrsn Sun Dec 23, 2012 6:37 pm

Kim, I remember the 70's being peppered with the deaths of several acquaintances and close friends due to
drugs and/or drinking and the consequences thereof. I can't imagine the hurt and scar of losing a sibling
for any reason.
I truly feel for you and hope tomorrow isn't too painful.
Bob

**RknRusty** Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:54 pm

Kim, I'm sorry, I read this post early this morning. It was upsetting. I never know what to say that seems appropriate or useful in any way, so sometimes I opt to not speak. My long time best friend died as a result of his own excesses this January, and I still haven't quite gotten a grip on that either.

SuperDave Mon Dec 24, 2012 9:24 am

" "We've got your bacK". - Duke

Though some may not realize it the expression orginated in the miltary. A soldier in combat takes some comfort from being supported from the rear (or back).

For those never having experienced combat or be trained for combat, "We've got your back" is but a curious expression.

It is intended to console a person in stressful situation and, in this case, our friend Kim.

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