In Memory of my Deda
<---- Deda in his yellow car
Today marks one year since my Grandpa's tragic death. Known to me as Deda (dee- dah), no one could have foreseen what would happen that day. It was a typical winter day, slowly getting colder as the sun started to set. The kind of day where a fire and a hot home cooked meal are welcomed.
The family had plans to go to Mimi and Deda's for dinner that night. We got a call from Mimi expressing some concern that Deda had not come back from the woods yet and it was starting to get dark. Dad, my younger brother, and I hopped into the truck to go look for Deda. Mimi had said he had gone to the edge of the woods to gather kindling for the fire.
Naturally, we drove along the edge of the bank of the river and along the woods, calling out his name and looking for the "green machine" (a Gator 6-wheeler, used for farm work). It was getting progressively darker outside and each one of us was silently panicking, and trying not to think the worst had happened.
Finally, I suggested we go up a small steep trail into the woods, barely big enough for the truck to drive up. Yes, Deda had said he was going to be on the edge of the woods gathering kindling, but since when was he one to follow the rules or do anything traditional? Deda was a very independent minded man.
We got near the top of the hill and saw the Gator, slid off the side of the "road", pointing down the steep embankment to the gully below. I was the first one to see the "green machine" and quickly told dad to stop the truck. We got out and started calling for Deda. My brother started making his way down the hill, thinking perhaps he had fallen into the gully. Then it happened. While by the "green machine" I looked down and saw my grandpa's lifeless body, wedged between the side of the "green machine" and a small tree. I maintained my sanity long enough to yell to my brother to dial 911, and then began to cry and scream uncontrollably. All three of us were in such a panic, we just started trying to free Deda from the wedge. Of course, what are three people going to be able to do with a huge vehicle? Realizing our efforts were in vain, we stopped trying to move the machine that was wedged very tightly in front and on both sides by three tress.
Dad confirmed my suspicions by saying he was gone, and then everything just welled up inside me. I was sad and mad at the same time. I was sad he was dead, but I was also mad because I never got the chance to say goodbye. The last time I had seen him was a week prior when I was so sick, I couldn't really get too close. I hope no one has to go through what I went through. Yes, people die, but I pray you never stumble across their dead body. I hope you get to say goodbye in a proper way.
Dad was able to get me to calm down enough to explain that someone needed to go meet the 911 people, as they had no way of knowing how to get up to the woods where we were. I was elected and ran down the steep hill in the dark (prob a mile or two) to the road to meet the team. I didn't know what to do, so I kept repeating the 23rd Psalm over and over and also hoping that this was all just a dream, and I would wake to see my grandpa's smiling face once more.
Emergency vehicles arrived and I tried (very out of breath) to tell them where my dad, brother, and grandpa were. Also, that there was no way an ambulance was going to make it up the hill, and that he was already dead anyway. They of course weren't listening and kept trying to go to the house to save my grandpa. The rest seems like a blur. I remember sitting in the back of an ambulance with my mom, and brother. No one was hungry that night, though Deda's special smoked ribs had been prepared. My brother really enjoys those and crab legs.
We talked about the accident. Wondering just what had happened. There was a full load of wood in the back of the "green machine" with the chainsaw on top and Deda's gloves. And the rifle had been set in the passenger seat. The lights were off, so we assume he was on his way home before it got dark. Our theory is that he didn't have the parking break set. Since the vehicle was on an incline, facing downward), it started to roll. In a panic, he grabbed onto the side of it (passenger side), but it had already started rolling. He then probably lost his footing, as it was wet and he had just had knee surgery a few months before, and the machine dragged him down the hill, until hitting the tree knocked him unconscious. We do know there was head trauma and his chest had multiple fractures. His heart, however, was in pristine condition. I guess it's one of those things where we'll have to wait to see him again to ask him what really happened.
It snowed the day after. Not a lot, just a dusting, but I felt it was a gift from Deda. Christmas wasn't really Christmas last year, and it may be about the same this time around. The tree is not decorated and wasn't decorated last year either. Presents hadn't been wrapped or really bought. No one was in the mood for holiday cheer one week after the accident. I still think of my grandpa. I am sad he wasn't at my college graduation in person and that he has never met J. I'm sure he would have teased him just like he has teased my brothers' girlfriends. I am sorry he won't be there in person on my wedding day, but he is sure to be there in spirit. How do I know? Well, I know he's still around and watching over me, as I got snow for my birthday this year. A rare thing in November. Even more miraculous, it didn't snow any where else around us, Just on our town. While I do miss my grandpa, he never did want to end up in a nursing home and he died doing what he loved, spending time in the woods.
Deda, I love you and miss you and can't wait until I see your face again.
-Melly