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.

[Chillbear Latrigue]

This tribute needs to be heard. I hate that life is like this. A hero was made out of this young man by extraordinarily bad circumstances and then he was destroyed by the selfish acts of an individual. It is inspirational and tragic.

[laceyjane23]

wow debileah, my heart and prayers truly go out to you and your family, there are no words that i can express that you probably haven't already heard. i am so sorry for the loss that you suffered, i think it is beautiful that you are spreading this very important message around, yes your sone truly is a hero in more ways than one, though his life ended in a tradgedy, i firmly believe that by you telling his story, that it will save many, many more lives!
your family will always be in my heart, i am here for you friend!
laceyjane

[James Watts]

A very nice tribute. I know how it is to lose someone very close to you and your words have spoken true.

[Staci Brown]

definitely a sobering experience to read about such a tragedy. the poem at the end was eloquently stated and from your words, yes, this young man was a hero in so many ways and our world is at a loss for his passing.

Faerie Blessings!

--faerie whisper (breaking the silence...)

[Dalaina Renee]

Very well written. And it will bring people to think before driving drunk. There should be more awarness of this problem!

[QuietPoet]

Your poems make me tear everytime i read them but this one made several tears down my cheeks.. I am so sorry for your lost.. You are strong and you always will be. You are in my thoughts and prayers always.

[Tina]

debileah, your writings make me feel that we should all be thankful to God for whatever we have, each and everyday and enjoy and live every moment that is given to us. for nobody knows what tomorrow has in store.....your writings give me courage to face the world.

[Pointblank]

You are strong. I know the afflictions you deal with everyday and my God your strong. Left behind to tell your story and/or teach someone they can also be strong. Thank You. You give me strength.

[T]

My deepest, heartfelt sympathy over the loss of your son, Debileah. You have experienced a parents worse nightmare and I cannot begin to imagine the pain you are feeling ... I'm literally at a loss for words. Overwhelmed by your loss and the sadness it brings ... May God comfort you in your time of great sorrow, Debileah ... (((((HUGS)))))

[DRIVEN]

A wonderful tribute to your son, no words can express my sorrow at your loss...