I was driving to work today when I received a call from the shop where I work. It was from a gal that I work with named Victoria. The call was the last thing that I expected. She informed me that my friend and bather, Chelley was killed in a tragic car accident last night. Chelley was one of the most warm hearted, loving and giving people that I have ever known. She was always there, ready to work without complaint She dearly loved all the the pups that came through the door. She found the same gratifying sense of accomplishment in the work we do as I always have. I will always remember her joy in a job well done.
Her death is such a tragedy. Shelly was a recovering alcoholic. In the last couple of weeks, she had relapsed. She had herself in a very tense and tenuous situation. She tried so hard to get herself back on track, but lost that battle. You see, Chelley was drunk when she had her accident. She went head on into oncoming traffic and was killed instantly. She didn't do it on purpose, but the outcome is the same. As I well know, death is permanent. I feel safe in the knowledge that she is in a better place now. Free of pain, free of her demons and hopefully at peace in the arms of our Lord. Her struggles are over now. She is at peace.
Chelley leaves behind three children. They were the joys of her life. I wonder will they ever really know how much their mother loved them. Will they ever understand that they were the central force of her existence ? This is where the tragedy lies. I think that these boys will think that she chose alcohol over them, that she made the choice to drink and lose her life, that they weren't important enough to make her stop this roller coaster of a life. I know from when she would share her life with me, that they were everything to her. I hope they aren't doomed to live the rest of their lives with anger toward their mother. I pray that they grow into a life of forgiveness and peace in the knowledge that Chelley loved them more than life itself. She paid a permanent price for a temporary problem.
I will hold her in my heart for the rest of my days. I will think of her often and fondly. She had a disease. She was ill. She loved, she cared, she brought joy and sadness, she shared wholly, she was a good friend, a loving wife, an enigmatic character, and one of of the most loving and fiercely devoted mothers I have ever known. She loved music, animals, her friends, her family. but most of all her children. She has suffered due to her illness and in the end, paid the ultimate price for the demons she chased. I find it easy to forgive her. I only hope one day, her children can do the same.
The world will be a little less bright with out this energetic, boisterous, life loving wonderful woman that I called my friend. May God watch over her family and hold her in his warm embrace until they can all reunite in a better place. Chelley, if you can hear me...I love you. Thanks for sharing your life with me. I will always remember you and your beaming proud mother smile!! Rest in peace dear friend.
