In loving memory of my mother, Diana Kirkland

Killed by a drunk driver on January 4, 1997

January 4, 1997 was the worst day of my life.

My mom was on her way to work, it was a Saturday. She was to be at her job at JcPenney at 1:00 pm. To get there in time, she left her house in Ottawa, Kansas at 11:30 am. Approximately 15 minutes later, she had gotten 7 miles out of town, she met head on with a drunk driver. Michelle Marie Huff had been going southbound on I-35, my mom was going northbound. The drunk driver, Huff, 28, for some reason unknown to us, pulled her wheel toward the wide grassy median...drove directly across and as she entered the northbound lanes of traffic, became airborn and landed on top of my moms car directly on the drivers side.

I received a phone call from my brother, Mike. All I heard him say is "Claudia, Moms dead". It echoed in my head over and over. I was holding my one year old daughter and my 3 year old daughter was standing at my side. They should have never had to see the hurt on my face like they did at that moment. My husband drove me down to moms house, it was an hour's drive. I just had to hurry and get there. I knew mom wouldn't be there but I had to go. I watched the road the entire way trying to see a sign of where her life ended, but I saw none.

The next day we were to go to the funeral home, I had tried to prepare myself to see mom's lifeless body. I needed to hold her hand and tell her that I loved her with all my heart and that I would miss her deeply. But, more devastation came when the funeral director said there would be no viewing of her body at all, that she had been wrapped in a soft cloth and there was no need to bring anything for her to wear.

Nobody will ever know the horror I felt when I learned that she had been decapitated. The part of her body that I looked at as a child and as an adult seeing the unconditional love in her eyes and wrapping my arms around her neck.

After leaving the funeral home with no closure and no good-byes I insisted that my husband take me to mom's car. I needed to see for myself what had happened. It was still all so unbelieveable. This couldn't be happening to us. My mom couldn't be dead I still needed her.

I approached her car with caution, prepared to turn around and leave if I saw soemthing offensive. As I got closer I saw on the floor her shoes as if she had just slipped them off. But I knew she had been knocked right out of them. On the passenger side I saw a JCPenney bag. Inside it was the birthday gift she had bought my daughter for her 4th birthday later in the month. A back pack. I made the decision to save it for her until she was older. I gave it to Hanna when she started kindergarten this year, she was 2 years older and I thought she was ready to have it. She was so proud to have something her grandma had bought for her. Megan, my little one will never have the chance to get special gifts from her grandma.

I stood there imagining how she must have lay in the twisted metal of her car.

The next few days ran together. There were arrangements to make, friends and co-workers still had to be called. Each needing all the information of what happened. I don't know how I made it through.

At the visitation, a co-worker of mom's handed me a bag, inside were 2 sweaters mom wore at work. I was so greatful. I wore them everyday. I could smell her perfume on them. I felt like she had her arms wrapped around me when I had them on. Eventually I had to wash them, but I continue to wear them even now. It gives me great comfort.

The drunk driver plea bargained. She plead no contest to involuntary manslaughter fully expecting to get probation. The judge sentenced her to 34 months in prison, with time off for good behavior and time already served in county jail, she'll spend about 25 months in prison. What a small price to pay for ripping the life out of someone, and changing the lives of all the people who loved her.

Since Mother Went Away

Since mother went away, it seems she's nearer than before, I cannot touch her hand, and yet she's with me more and more, and the years have never lessened the longing in my heart that came the day I realized that we must dwell apart, and just as long as memory lives, my mother cannot die, for in my heart she's living still as passing years go by Helen Steiner Rice

January 4, 1997

Diana's Death

A tragedy can change your life, and moving on is hard. And the hearts of the survivors, Are so permanently scarred.
It's so hard to tell this story, So bear with me if you may. The drunk just didn't see her, She didn't see another day.
The volume of the sirens, Seemed to verify, "She's dead." And the words, "Why Aunt Diana?" Just kept running through my head.
The paramedics could do nothing, Her life just slipped away. I'm unable to forgive that drunk, Even to this day.
Her pain lives on within us, The survivors of the killed. And the memory of Diana, Forever in our hearts instilled.
They pulled her through the windshield, And claimed her time of death. If only God had blessed her, Had given her one more breath.
The still unanswered question, I'll always wonder why. "Why is it the sober ones Are the only ones to die?"
The other driver was drunk, And then her life was through. My aunt is now in heaven, So I'm writing this to you. by Jennifer Sweetman, age 13, Mom's Niece

The picture of the wreath we put in the car tracks. Huff came from where the semi is.

This is a picture of the memorial garden I made for mom in my front yard. The cemetery is almost 1 1/2 hours one way so I made this and treasure my quiet moments there

This Soars1
Support Offered for:
Alcohol Related Survivors
Webring site is owned by
Claudia Bowman.

[ Prev | Skip It | Next 5 ]
[ Random | Next | List Sites ]

Want to join the ring? Click here.

Previous Mom

This
Remembering Mom
site is owned by
Claudia Bowman

[ Prev| Skip It| Next 5| Random| Next| List ]

Want to join the ring?
Get the info

Next Mom

You are hearing "Wind Beneath my Wings" by Bette Midler

Click here to return to Drunk Driving Memorial websites