Never say goodbye!

Please don't drink and drive! Let's keep each other safe and alive!

My son never fought in a war

upon a foriegn shore

Though he would have

had it been his calling

He enlisted into the service

at the young age of seventeen

he became a United States Marine

He was stationed in Okinawa Japan

There he learned to become a man

With a humanitarian discharge in hand

He returned home to help his family

which was in dire need of him

from the land of the red sun

To three young sisters and a mother ill

with manic depression

With his father just out prison

for making a bad decision

of dealing drugs

running with thugs

His son still looked up to him

forgiving him his sins

His parents were soon to be divorced

but dad came down with staff infection

from his terrible heroin addiction

Mom ended up in a hospital psychiatric unit

for her bi-polar affliction

Soon his father slowly and painfully died

He stood strong by his father's side

as staff infection from a dirty needle

consumed his every vital organ

His heart, his liver, his spleen...

Near the end he softly spoke the words

"I love you, dad."

Mom fell victim to alchohol

trying to drown her memories

of a violent marriage and mental illness

that had brought her to her knees

Taking care of three young sister's

was very hard accomplishment

for a young man of twenty-one

upon returning home

from the land of the red sun

 

Robert Stephen Krempa was born 7/31/73

Sadly and tragicly he was killed by a drunk driver 4/15/07

 

 He is credited for saving the life of a little four-year old boy

named Xavier.  It was a beautiful spring evening, just a year ago

my son had just gotten off of work. He had just become a manager of his company, his box of manuals not yet opened. Ironically, he was on his way with friends to buy a car and get his driver's license renewed. It

was a head on collision, as the car he was riding in as a passenger in the back seat, was hit while waiting for a red light. When out of nowhere came the oncoming car crashing into them, Leaving my son and his friends wife to die in puddles of their own blood. The car caught fire, thank God the fireman were able to put it out in time. When I went to the young mother's funeral, I

 was thanked for being the mother of a hero. For they say that

my son ripped off his seatbelt, and blocked little Xavier with his own body, so saving the young boy from ultimate death. Months later Xavier's father who was also critically injured as was his son, thanked me also and told me that my son is his hero, too. Xavier had been scalped to where the doctor's had to sew his scalp back to his head, he will always have the scar as a memory of what occurred that day. Worst of all, he has nightmares of the accident and the loss of his loving mother. He has trouble walking due to injuries to his spine.  The drunk driver was finally sentenced, he got ten years in prison for his crime. My son and his friend had their lives taken away in the prime of their lives because of someone else's foolishness and disregard for human life. They were both sober lovingly gentle people and are sadly missed by family and friends. The small poem I wrote for the obituary. I would like to share with you it reads as follows:              

 

The world has lost

A wonderful young man

Who had the potential, the ability, the mind

And, the heart of a scholar, a teacher, a philosopher

and an author

I lost my son

Love forever and always, Mom

 

Reviews

[WritefromtheHeart]

Dear debileah...
What words of solace can I give you, dear one? You have lived the tragedy that every mother dreads to think of...I cannot say anything except convey my true sorrow at your monumental loss. Your writing has to be of some small comfort...and you share it with us here so that we may give back to you some of the love in our hearts...many blessings to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Natalie C]

Wow debileah this was deep (rubbing my arms) I am covered in goosebumps. This really is a sensitive subject for most of us and this really just provokes feelings of anger.
He got then years, what is ten years comparing to someone's life?
I hope that writing about it helps you to heal. One could never forget nor get over the sadness not to mention the anger of what happened, but life goes on....
and as you said never saying goodbye. How can a person, a mother do something like that.
That has to be my biggest fear in life, being a mother myself.

*Hugs* I hope that writing this helped, even if it is just a little. I know it has to be hard specially with the one year milestone that just passed!

[Rhiannon Dragonraine]

It is saddening that in this life such pain exists, After reading what you wrote I believe your son has become a hero in the eyes of many- and hopefully by sharing your story many others will see and their eyes will be opened to the things that need to be avoided and the seriousness of the consequences of their actions. I must say that in my eyes not only your son but you as well have become a hero to me; Him for his courageous and unflinching acceptance of respondsibility as well as his final act of heroism, and you for your strength in enduring all of this and still managing to get up everyday and more than that for your strength and courage for sharing all of this with the world. I wish you many Blessings as it seems you need them. I will also keep you in my thoughts and hope that whatever power there is in the Universe can help you find the solace and comfort and strength you need to continue on.
Brightest Blessings and Warmest Wishes
Rhiannon

[pal]

Truly great tragedy..deeply touching.. well penned..
pal

[Just Manoosh]

Oh sweetie, there are no words.

Though this is such a tragedy, strangely I feel a little piece (just a small piece) of hope in your words. The knowledge that there are still inately good people out there makes me want to fight the evils of society even more.

I am sorry for your loss my friend, what a magnificent man he was.

Mx

[Nick Anthony]

Deblieah,

My words of review will have to wait. How can I review something for style or mechanics that is so heart touching to a father of another young man who served his country. I am truly touched by the poem, the effort, the love that went into this piece.

I hope you find solace and be a piece sooner than later.

Nick.

[Carole]

Oh Debileah, I can barely comprehend the depths of the pain that the loss of your son had to have caused you. I am deeply touched by every word of this tribute to your dear and precious son, Robert. What an incredible legacy that your hero and son left behind through rescuing little Xavier. He will forever be remembered for this act of heroism. The depth of individual that he was shines through every word of this piece, and leaves a deep imprint on the heart and mind of every person that reads this. What a legacy of a life well lived and the story of a mother whose love for her son, reaches down into the furthest depths of the soul. The person that he was reflects the heart of a nurturing mother and an obvious upbringing that was second to none. I commend you in your parenting skills and the love you have/had for your son as you relive the beautiful memories of him. You shall surely be reunited one day.

Being able to write a tribute such as this one, brings with it untold healing. The fact that you could write about your loss, is incredibly healing, Debileah. I am deeply touched that you would share such an intimate part of who you are as a person and who your incredible son was.

I love the poem you put in the paper commemorating Robert's life and selfless act of courage and bravery. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share such a beautiful piece with each and everyone of us on the Cafe that have had the pleasure to read this heart felt tribute and master piece! Thank you, my friend! You are a truly courageous woman. You do not have a shallow bone in your body. (((Hugs))), Carole

[Serenitybound]

oh my, this was soooo sad. I shudder to think how I might have felt, had I had a child to incur such horror in their lifetime. this is such a sad poem, full of the worst kinds of emotions a sentient being must endure and my spirit cries for you sweet sister.

My only words offered is that you have and still do honor him and all mothers by your strong willed endurance and love in the aftermath of this worlds lunacy. I feel for you love, so very strongly and am in need of a moment to regroup after this. but I thank you for these eye opening words of grief, may they be instilled in us all and keep us from the bottle and the wheel.


I love you sweet sister. *hugs*

sb.

[desertraven]

I enjoyed this the first time I read it. Very touching and emotional piece. well done!
Sandra

[Jane Doe]

Wow, my heart goes out to you. This is so well written. I can feel your pain radiating from your words. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[BrightEyes]

My heart goes out to you hon. I remember your writing when this first occurred and the grief contained there. Your grief is still so fresh; there are no words that could bring you comfort. I hope that in pouring your pain out with your writing, it helps to bring some measure of peace to your heart and soul.

*hugs*

laura