I remember it like it was yesterday, Philip was involved in a one-vehicle accident, although his truck sustained little damage, it was enough to take his life. A day that for his family will truly live in infamy.
We were having dinner at my sister Josie's house when the call came through from our niece, Michelle Hernandez. She was riddled with panic as she was trying to find out any news regarding his accident. Being that Josie and I lived in Midland and the accident occurred in Big Spring where the majority of our family resides, we knew nothing at all about said accident. Not much time went by after receiving that phone call that I suggested we all drive to Big Spring to find out what had happened and to lend our support as needed.
Apparently the accident happened not far from the Guzman's ranch. My sister Eva would have to recount the story in her own words as it is too important for me to try to adlib here. However, one of the things I do remember that she said was "the cloud of dirt" she saw after Philip left their ranch to do a test run of one of his trucks which he had worked on that evening after they had their dinner. My sister was outside their home sweeping the patio when she looked up and saw the dirt. She was taken aback by all that dirt and tried not to think the worst, after all, they live far from town and it is not uncommon for dirt devils and such. Difference was, her son was out there...he had just left and something tugged at my dear sister's heart. Like the old adage goes..."a mother's heart always knows".
Long story short, Philip survived for a few hours at the hospital in Big Spring before the Dr's agreed he was stable enough to be air-lifted to Lubbock (Texas Tech Univ Hosp). We all gathered and prayed, we hugged, we reminded ourselves how much love this family contained, and we prayed for a miracle that we not lose this valuable and much needed member of our family. Fate had other things in mind and the Lord was in need of a new angel. Philip passed away sometime between being airlifted and he never made it to Lubbock, the plane returned back to Big Spring. Several family members made the 2 hour drive to Lubbock only to be told the bad news upon their arrival. They would have to immediately drive back to Big Spring. All of our hearts broke as we received the awful news and they would never be the same again.
Each time I visited their ranch following Philip's tragic accident/death, my heart broke even more and I became so sad, solemn and melancholy. I missed my nephew so very much and I did all I could to keep from crying and yelling at our Divine Being for his short-givings.
I am not sure how my sister, my brother-in-law and my 2 nieces made it through this terrible experience but I give them much credit as do the rest of their loved ones.
Eva, Philip, SR, Erica and Felicia, you all have great faith. It has proven to have sustained you as a family unit and as individuals. You made it this far because of it and I am in total "awe" of you guys.
Even though the news media outlets all jotted down Philip's death having taken place on May 4th, 2000, I always consider it on May 3rd, 2000. That was the day of his accident and the last time we literally saw our beloved Philip before his demise. He does rest in peace now and watches over the rest of us until which time we are all together again.
No comments:
Post a Comment