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.

[Albert Freeman]

It's sad how someone can recklessly endanger the lives of innocent people in such a way. Your son truly was and is a hero. His worth, life and deeds will live on long after we all return to ash and dust. This was a beautiful and heartfelt poem. I'm honored to read it and get to share in a part of your son.

[Illegitimate Artist]

Wow! What an emotional piece. Almost everyone has felt the pain a of a lost loved one and you really allow them to follow along with you on your own journey. Kudos to you for being brave enough to share you pain with the rest of us. You expressed it exquisitely. Awesome and touching work!

[DarkAngelWriter]

You have another piece about the accident... It's so sad...

[Jerri]

So sad that an unthinking person can rob the world of what is beautiful and dear.

[lilain]

I couldn't help but feel goose bumps and tears. I'm so very sorry for your loss. Nothing, not a single thing on this earth, can ease the pain of such a needless loss. I've recently lost a dear friend to a drunk driving accident and even to this day I still find it difficult to think her not here on this earth. Sad to say, the culprit was never caught and her family still waits in limbo for answers. I'm glad to see in some way, the driver from your son's wreck recieved justice for the shameless crime.

But in the end, it is so utterly brave and strong of you to share this with an anonymous forum. I hope you find peaceful healing. I admire you for posting this.

All Best,
lilain

[ANNA]

I thank for being brave enough and sharing your story..I wish there was something I could say. I can only give you my prays and hopes. Though we might not know each other but I feel like I have looked at your site for a reason and so thank you for adding me as your friend! Your poem lets me see what we have in front of us. That we should treasure the gifts that God has given us. My blessing and love to you and the family.. Your words touch me very deepy. Thank you and my prays are with you away

Much Lov Anna

[Janyce Helen Van Es]

This is such a beautiful poem to describe your son; it breaks my heart.

I was hit by a drunk driver while parked at a traffic light after work in 1967-was lucky to survive that.

It is unbelieveably hard to lose someone you love. I lost someone this month I have loved for twenty years. I know it is said that "time heals all wounds" but I don't believe that.

A loved one's spirit and memory remains with us indefinately.

[Sam Freeland]

your poems and your story have touched us all with your sadness and we cry with you.
your willingness to share may help others take more care.
life in this world endures so much pain yet the hope
we have may help others in enduring their loss

[[untitled]]

This is so heartwrenching, it is the first anniversary, I remembered as soon as I saw your name on my request list. I can only say I am so sad for you, I know how much you loved him. What I don't know is, or more to the point, what I don't understand is, how did you survive all this trauma Debileah? My heart goes out to you. Please know that I am thinking of you at this terrible time of remembrance, I have my own coming up in July...
Love,
Helen xxx

[Gary H]

I feel real sorrow after reading this. There is a lot of strength you show in your words that raise thoughts of why people drink and drive. I hope the guy responsible for wrecking so many lives reads this and realises what he has done - in fact he should read this every day to remind himself.