The Symbol Of Grief
September 29, 1984
December 14, 1991
overwhelming pain I now feel having to live without her, two phrases I've heard come
to mind. "There is no greater misery than to recall the time when we were happy, but
without recollection our greatest happiness would be forgotten." "The pain now is part of the deal." If I were to go back fifteen years and were to be told that I would only have this wondrous blessing for seven years, I would accept the deal and cherish my time of happiness. Let me share with you the happiest seven years of my life, her name is Haley.
She wasn't a typical little girl with lace and curls and delicate tea sets. She hated dresses and being dolled up. Haley would much rather be outside playing with lizzards or running races with all the little boys at school, which I might add she could beat. She loved riding her bike, picking wild flowers and playing with her black kitten, Lipshon.
She had many friends and was voted Class Favorite in her first grade class. She learned early how to skip class. We lived very close to her elementary school, practically in the back yard. Haley walked to school daily and left early enough for breakfast in the cafeteria, per Mom's routine prodding. Several months passed when as I visited her teacher I was informed that she was late for class every morning. "Why," asked her teacher. After investigating the situation I discovered that my sweet darling went to the playground every morning to play, then went to the cafeteria minutes before closing and ate breakfast. Often she would miss breakfast but would choose to sit and watch clean-up instead of going to class. Unlike years ago, this now brings a smile. There are far to many memories to share all with you so I will share my most cherished one. Haley still slept with us every night. Dad was sometimes late getting in from work so we would lay in bed and play what we called our "kissing game." The last one to give a kiss wins, but if you touch the other's lips you lost. Your kiss had to be placed on the cheek. If your game gets to fast, it becomes difficult to miss lips. She loved playing this game and of all the giggling that went on. I do and will cherish this memory and every memory forever.
On December 11, 1991, myself, my Haley and her Dad were traveling by car along a two lane highway. It was raining and in an attempt to avoid a head-on collision with a truck in our lane we began to hydro-plane into the truck in the other lane. My daughter and I were transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. I remained there in a coma and she was flown to a children's hospital in Arkansas where she never regained consciousness and died there three days later from severe head injuries.
Sleep not, little one,
Forever is too long.
My heart will never waken,
Until they sing our song.
Sleep not little one,
You must not go.
For you are the part of me,
That stirs my heart and soul.
Why do your eyes not open,
Why do they not know?
I cannot stay without you,
I cannot let you go.
by Donelle Herron
"My Heart Will Go On"
