R.I.P. CHRIS DEITRICKS
I've finally calmed down. I want someone to talk to, but I don't even know what I would that someone to say.
Chris is my uncle--not biologically, but he and his wife, Andrea, never missed a birthday, confirmation, anything... they always called to see how I am doing... always come over to visit... always support my decisions... they are more a part of my family than all my parent-siblings.
I was at his house two weeks ago with my parents. Usually a loud, fun, sarcastic man, he was very reserved. He said he wasn't feeling well. In fact, life-of-the-party Chris said he was going to put his bathing suit on. After fifteen minutes, his wife went to check on him and he was sleeping. I didn't even know he had an off-switch.
Saturday, Chris collapsed. Heart attack. We get the phone call from Andrea: first about the collapse, then about how he stabilized, then how he needs a blood transfusion and might not make it anyway, then how he stabilized again.
Today, Andrea called: Are your parents home, sweetheart?
Me: No.
Andrea: Okay, I'll try their cell phones.
Me: Wait! How's Chris?
Andrea: He's not with us anymore.
Me: What?
Andrea: Chris is not with us anymore. He's *starts to cry* passed away.
I think the conversation then ended. I don't remember. I do remember crying. I've never lost anyone. Everyone who has died in my family has died before I can remember.
He was a fantastic man... I was at his 50th birthday party only months ago. The worst part of it all is that they still don't know why he died. He was losing blood--he needed the blood transfusion-- but the doctors didn't know where he was losing the blood from.
I'll never forget him.
Chris is my uncle--not biologically, but he and his wife, Andrea, never missed a birthday, confirmation, anything... they always called to see how I am doing... always come over to visit... always support my decisions... they are more a part of my family than all my parent-siblings.
I was at his house two weeks ago with my parents. Usually a loud, fun, sarcastic man, he was very reserved. He said he wasn't feeling well. In fact, life-of-the-party Chris said he was going to put his bathing suit on. After fifteen minutes, his wife went to check on him and he was sleeping. I didn't even know he had an off-switch.
Saturday, Chris collapsed. Heart attack. We get the phone call from Andrea: first about the collapse, then about how he stabilized, then how he needs a blood transfusion and might not make it anyway, then how he stabilized again.
Today, Andrea called: Are your parents home, sweetheart?
Me: No.
Andrea: Okay, I'll try their cell phones.
Me: Wait! How's Chris?
Andrea: He's not with us anymore.
Me: What?
Andrea: Chris is not with us anymore. He's *starts to cry* passed away.
I think the conversation then ended. I don't remember. I do remember crying. I've never lost anyone. Everyone who has died in my family has died before I can remember.
He was a fantastic man... I was at his 50th birthday party only months ago. The worst part of it all is that they still don't know why he died. He was losing blood--he needed the blood transfusion-- but the doctors didn't know where he was losing the blood from.
I'll never forget him.