Ode To My Mom (not a happy post)

Seven years ago today was the worst day of my life. I got home from work that day and got a call from my dad. A call I almost didn't answer because the call display was a long distance number I didn't recognize, but I answered it anyway, maybe because I was in a super good mood at the time.

It was my dad calling from my uncle's in Minneapolis. He said he and mom were in a car accident on their way home, and when I asked him where mom was he had to tell me she was gone.

What made this especially hard was our son Andrew was 17 months old at the time. He was mom's only grandchild and she absolutely adored him. She would come and visit us for weeks at a time and spend it all with Andrew; taking him for walks and playing with him around the house. What particularly bothers me is he was too young to form any memories of her.

The next day me, Jennifer and Andrew raced home to Selkirk to be with family and friends and prepare for mom's funeral. Dad's house was packed with people for days, the support was appreciated. Mom passed away on a Monday and yet by Friday they were able to get her back to Selkirk and we had her funeral then. About 250 people attended mom's service. I had no idea she was so popular!

Mom's passing caused an interesting situation for our family in that we decided to sue the driver that caused the accident. Our lawyer was a really nice guy and made trips to visit us in Selkirk and here in Sioux Lookout. It took months and even though the other driver had 2 miilion dollars in third party liability, and dad was found to be at 0% fault; we had to settle in court for considerably less. That is why I'm not a fan of insurance companies. They make billions in revenue from premiums, but when there's a claim, you have to fight them for every little penny, they make me sick. (Sorry for you folks reading this that may be employees of insurance companies; I'm not mad at you.)

I'd have to say that the support of my family, especially my wife Jennifer and our son Andrew, as well as my dad and my sister, helped me get through that traumatic time. Even though it was seven years ago, I still think about my mom often, and what would my life be like if she were still here.

I've actually been asked by people if I could talk to my mom again, would I? My answer would be no. Becasue then I'd have to say goodbye to her again, and once was enough.