A Remembered Day
Independence Day, July 4th, had long been one of my favorite holidays.
Coming just three days before my birthday, I claimed it as part of
my personal celebration,
This particular July 4th started out in the usual happy tradition.
Our children were old enough to have their own exciting plans
and my husband Cliff and I were going to have a three day vacation
by ourselves.
He was up first as was usual and brought a cup of coffee to me in bed,
sitting beside me as we talked and finalized our plans. He teased me a bit
about the gift he was planning for my birthday.
It was month end reports at my office and I had a few to finalize
before I could feel free about taking time off. I would be gone just
a few hours and then the two of us would have a glorious three days by
ourselves. This was an uncommon and highly anticipated event.
I worked quickly and efficiently in the quiet of the office, until the
annoying ring of the telephone.
Ivan, Cliff’s friend was on the line.
“Cliff is in the hospital., come at once.”
“What happened?” I asked, knowing I didn’t want to know.
“Just get up here.” He sounded angry.
Randy, one of my fellow employees had stopped in at the office and hearing
my end of the conversation insisted he would drive me to the hospital.
Ivan met us at the front of the hospital and blurted out at my question, “He’s dead.”
Randy held me up as I started to fall. A doctor was at my side as I listened to the story.
Cliff had picked up Ivan at his home and they were driving down the street of our little
town, when without warning he dropped over in the seat. Luckily Ivan was able to
stop the car so there had been no accident.
My perfectly vital, never ill for a moment husband, had died from a massive heart attack.
The doctor gave me something to calm me as I called my children.
The rest of the day is vague but those first hours are engraved on my mind forever.
By: Joyce Johnson won an 8th
Copyright © Joyce Johnson | Year Posted 2011
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