Saturday, December 20, 2008

The day started much like any other winter day in Western NY; a fresh fallen snow clung to the trees and the morning sun glistened on the branches.

I met my friend Mark at his house so we could travel together to his mother, Dolores', house to help her clear out the snow from the last two days with 2 snow-blowers and share a nice visit with her.

The card my wife & I made was tucked safely in the truck and we enjoyed the picturesque scenery as we drove the 1/2 hour to get there.

We developed a plan for snow removal and even chuckled about who got the better end of things as we pulled up in front of her house and saw the amount of snow to be removed.

I always enjoyed visiting with Dolores and helping her was never a chore because she was like another mom to Cathy & I. I'm not sure who adopted whom but from the first day we met her and her late husband Bernie ~ we were made to feel a part of the family.

Mark and I unloaded his snow-blower from the trailer and cut a path to the front door so he could let her know we were there and give her our card.

As Mark waited at the door I continued to make several passes with the snow-blower and thought it odd that he was still standing there after I cleared better than half of the driveway.

When I asked Mark what was happening; he expressed his concern as to why she hadn't answered the door after ringing the bell several times. I shut the machine off and we proceeded to walk around the house (locked tighter than "Fort Knox") knocking at each window and entry way.

It didn't take long for Mark's concerns to become my concerns fearing that Dolores had fallen. And as much as neither one of us wanted to harm the house or take the scolding that might follow such a bold act - we knew that something was wrong and that we had to gain access.

We chose to go through the rear entry which literally meant breaking in through three doors to get into the main part of the house. And, after making all that noise we were even more afraid for her well being because she hadn't called out to us our responded.

To replay the incidents that followed is still too difficult for me. We found Dolores unresponsive on her bathroom floor. Despite our best efforts, and those of two local fire companies and a flight car crew of paramedics, we could not resuscitate her.

Dolores, Mark's mom (and mother to his sister Barb and brother Cliff), was gone to be with the Lord and reunited with her husband Bernie.

A trooper I knew as a former police officer from the town I lived in  came to assist us and after a while, Mark's wife Robin, and my wife Cathy along with Danielle (our son's fiancée) and Mark's sister Barb arrived.

It was very painful.

The woman we all loved and respected so much was no longer with us.

One moment it is a sunny winter day filled with laughter and anticipation ~ the next moment a tragedy that none of us could have never seen coming had forever changed the landscape of the future for a family, for loved ones and so many other people.

The card, and the intended blessing it contained, laid slightly wrinkled on the dining room table. I picked it up, put it in my pocket, and prayed that I could be strong for my dearest friends and loved ones and Mark's brother Cliff who lived too great a distance to be there ~ in the midst of this horrible situation.