stuff.............

[panther-girl]

my birthday was thursday and I want to thank you guys for sending those sweet birthday wishes...it meant a lot to me and I didn't get a chance to tell you.

thursday morning my mom called to tell me that my 18 year old cousin crashed his new car into a wall wednesday night and died at the scene. He would have been 19 next week. his dad had open heart surgery last week, his mom (my cousin) survived breast cancer 3 years ago. my cousin adopted him when he was a newborn b/c they couldn't have children and within days found out she was pregnant so he and his sister were less than 8 months apart in age; they were inseparable. his sister is inconsolable. My cousin's husband will survive his open heart surery but his heart is broken.

my mom and I flew to NY and stayed til yesterday; got home last night. the sadness is immeasurable. There are no words to express the sorrow..what do you say to people who lost their child? they had loved him and wanted him so much.
I don't know what to say now...I'm really just sitting here thinking about my cousins who have been thru so much and the house that will be so empty and quiet on Monday when all the friends and family aren't there all day distracting them ... My cousin Michael filled that house.. a big man-child, needing so much love and attention and demanding their energy ...

I know he was happy the last few months and I know I will miss knowing him as he grew up and I wish for my family only happy memories and peace...

I hope you all hug your children..and your families and tell them how much they mean to you...
and please drive carefully ..I know many of you are pretty young and may be a little reckless when you drive...please know that horrible things can happen if you drive too fast. My cousin was just coming home from work. He was probably driving that car he got Monday a little too fast on a dark and winding road. That's what he did wrong.
Please please be careful and tell those you love and care about to be careful too.

[SethP77]

happy b-day once again, p-woman

(((p-woman)))

if you can't help yourself, take time to help those around you

[panther-girl]

just wanted to bring this up...

[Highway23]

ahhh man...

seems like this past year I've really realized, (as I think everyone else has) how valuable life really is...

there are never words that can fully comfort, yet every thought does a little. I know that you've been having a shitty time this year P, but I also know how strong you and your family are. You can all get through this.

Take care, and know that we are always here for ya


(((((p-girl))))))

"But if I call you out of habit I'm out of love and I gotta have it" -A.Rose

[bluecow]

it's scary how quickly things can change... one day he's there, the next he's not... (((((((((p-girl)))))))))

[reallygroovN]

oh my god, serena, i am going thru the same freaking thing!

on friday night, my sister in law called to say that my nephew mike was in a terrible car accident that afternoon. his girlfriend, who he loves dearly, and her best friend as well as the driver of the other car all died.

we spent friday night in the hospital with our family and 20 of mikes friends. we almost lost him that night, the doc said that he probablly wouldnt make it and that he was at the edge of life and death.

he is still extremely critical but he has made it this far. almost every bone in his body is broken. because he broke his sternum and his femur, both very difficult bones to break in a young person, they are very worried about brain damage due to the sheer force of the accident. they cant even check that, though, for 2 more days.

no one knows why or how the crash happened. apparently he attempted to pass another car on a clear stretch of road in the afternoon. all the kids were wearing their seatbelts, but they were in a 95 hundai with no airbags. there are so many things that could have gone wrong, from just bad judgment to problems with the car to sun glare...its pretty obvious that they didnt see each other until it was too late.

mike is such a sweet guy. he always talks to me about music and lets me go on about pearl jam, even though he likes korn *yikes*.

tomorrow, we are all going to alicia's funeral. mikes parents visited alicia and kelly's parents yesterday. they dont blame mike and said that alicia would never want them to be angry with him.

if mike pulls out of this, physically, he is going to need so much support emotionally. but we have a strong family and his friends, who are camped out at the hospital, will help him. i feel for them too, to have lost two of their dear friends and with mike being so critical. mike is just that kind of kid who everyone loves....sweet, cute, smart, caring...and alicia was the same. both very quiet, but just so sweet.

i am so sad. i dont know whether its a good thing that mike should survive and have to deal with the weight of this...i dont know if his spirit will be able to live thru that.

i feel for you, serena. i will keep your family in my prayers.

hey, everyone, please always wear your seatbelts and drive carefully. k?

[Highway23]

holy shit groovy...

I'm so sorry to hear about that...those things just don't seem fair because they are just so unexpected...

stay strong as a family, and be ready to help him through not only the physical rehabilitation, but mentally as well.

I'll be thinking about you and your family. Hang in there

((((((groovy))))))

"But if I call you out of habit I'm out of love and I gotta have it" -A.Rose

[panther-girl]

oh cath.. :(
there is nothing worse than the death of a young person...
I have been to some of these horrible, terrible funerals.
Good friends but never a relative til now.
I barely knew my cousin because we've lived in another state all of his life but I knew him from pictures and stories and from holiday visits.
And now I'll never really know him at all.
My cousins hearts are just broken...they are torn apart.
And they bought him that damn car Monday.
It had a special steering wheel, therefore, no airbag.

I wish your michael a complete recovery...it's gonna be a long road but he is so young...and has the support of so many.
I hope he heals physically but more importantly, emotionally.
Love to you and your family...know that my most positive thoughts and prayers are with you all...

[reallygroovN]

thanks p-girl /images/smile.gif

it was a little...dont really know the word im looking for...strange to see the whole family at the hospital...everyone. on holidays, i'm usually feeling uneasy about hanging with these people because they are so different from me, or at least thats my perception. actually, i usually hang with mike and his sister, gretchen...always have, since i started hanging with mr.groovNs family.

but being there, together, supporting eachother and mike, and his friends there...it really is a beautiful thing.

its nice to have people to hang onto...and here is one of those knowing, loving cyber hugs going out to you, serena!

[panther-girl]

these events can really bring families together...
I cannot tell you how it felt to be with my family the past few days.
We rarely get to see each other and we truly get along so well.
They are so wacky and wonderful and I just love them all so much.
I've missed a lot being so far away. I am going to make an effort to connect with them on a regular basis now...even if it's just on email.

[Beta]

i still don't really know what to say, serena. hope you and cath find strength to live through this.
((((s&c))))
love,
roberta

Beta http://betapearljam.homestead.com/files/dancer.gif

[rise above]

damn, pgirl...i knew this already and yet, i have more tears for you after reading this. you know i am here for you xoxoxo

reallygroovn, i am so sorry to hear about that:(