Tuesday 6/1/10

So much Sadness-- my heart is broken for my dear friend Tina. Tina and I became fast friends when she came to work at the insurance company. It didn't take long at all--and we were Besties. I (and many others) rejoiced with Tina when Billy proposed and rejoiced even more when they were married April 27,2009. i know there is a blog post about the wedding--i just don't know how to link it here. ......and things were going well for Tina and Billy. Tina had both of her knees replaced about 2 weeks ago and was already walking better with less pain.
Yesterday at 5:30 a.m. Tina's only child, Ginny, was killed in a one car accident. Ginny was 20 years old and had soooo much to look forward to. She was going back to ETSU this fall, she finally knew she wanted to go back to school, she wanted to succeed, she had SO much life ahead of her.
Maggie (another Bestie from work) and I spent a good part of the day with Tina and her family---Tina comes from a large close family. When we arrived at Tina's Mom's house there were a large number of people there family members, church members, and friends and neighbors . It made me remember what it was like to live in a rural area in the south---as soon as bad news gets out(and that "telegraph" is fast) people start coming to see what they can do and bringing food, drinks etc. (Maggie said there could not be one case of cokes or little Debbie cakes left in Scott County) But that is what we do in the old south-- we try to feed you at every opportunity.
we all knew there was really nothing we could do for Tina, Billy, Ginny's dad, Joan (grandma) or the rest of the family---so we were just there for them. At one point in the afternoon there must have been nearly 50 people there. I only knew 4 people (including Maggie) but we all grieved with the family. The heartbreak was palpable there on the porch... the sobbing which was renewed with each new arrival...oh the need to do SOMETHING,anything to help Somehow.. Anything!!
we stayed until late in the afternoon to come home to mourn some more and to leave the family to mourn alone...
Today Tina had to go to the funeral home and pick out a casket for her baby girl--her "terrible" two year old--the child that she loved so much.. the little tween who life was so hard for...the girl that had so much potential..who was growing up to be a productive adult person with a lot going for her. And she had met a nice young man--who made her happy--who treated her with respect-- who even spent money on her--who was smitten. Tina said she looked so forward to Ginny getting married and having children (as she knew Ginny wanted a "house full" of children) and someday of Tina and Billy being grandparents.
This is something that no one should have to go through... I covet your prayers for Tina from anyone who reads this. Tomorrow Tina and family and friends face a visitation and funeral for a 20 year old woman who had it all to live--who was a daughter, granddaughter,friend and playmate to Orick