The Longest Night « Okay, Fine, Dammit

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The Longest Night

December 22, 2007 by Maggie, dammit

We got some very sad news tonight. Charlene Wright died.

She went in for knee surgery yesterday. Today, she was gone. Complications. Blood clots. In 24 hours, an entire family’s life was irrevocably changed. They never saw it coming.

Charlene was the sort of person who was there so much it’s impossible to imagine her not there. I don’t mean to say she was taken for granted, because she was deeply loved by her husband, her five children, and her passel of grandkids. It’s just that she was literally always there.

Besides being the mother of one of Dave’s good friends, Charlene attended our church. Our town is a small one, and our church is even smaller. On any given Sunday, there are probably 45 people in attendance. Over the years since I was a kid, I’ve left that church more times than I can count. Every time I’ve returned, Charlene has been there. Sitting quietly in the same pew.

I was at the grocery store when I got the phone call. I stood there in the meat section, frozen, for a good five minutes. All I could think about was how Charlene’s kitchen was probably full of groceries she’d never eat.

I can’t hardly breathe for the heaviness in my chest, the heartache I’m feeling for her family on this, the winter solstice. The longest night of the year. Four days before Christmas. Forever marred.

Charlene’s family has already donated her organs, with specific instructions to wish the recipients a merry Christmas. I cannot imagine possessing that kind of grace in a moment like that.

Count your blessings is a much overused statement, but the best ones often are. Remember what you’re really celebrating this holiday season. Hold your loved ones close.

Posted in perspective, there's an elephant on my chest | 7 Comments

7 Responses to “The Longest Night”

on December 22, 2007 at 3:06 am1 J.C. Montgomery

There are no words other than that I am thinking of you, and her family. This is a very tough time to lose anyone under any circumstances. Big hug.
on December 22, 2007 at 5:37 am2 flutter

I am so sorry
on December 23, 2007 at 3:21 am3 becky

For me , when this happens , I know that they were ready to go. I think we are here to learn life lessons and to teach and help.It is always hard on the way they leave so quickly,but it’s better than them suffering with us knowing.
I think when the loss of a loved one is so close to a birthday or Christmas it is meant for us to do what they would’ve done ,to carry on the way they would have,every year ,year after year and we teach it to children. (isn’t that called tradition ) and the funny stories . Maybe it is because they are not supposed to be forgotten. Just celebrated every Christmas ,until the stories become ….genetic
on December 23, 2007 at 3:31 am4 Jeremy

sphere du merde

Even that sounds kind of flip, but there’s nothing else I can say.

My first thought was to tell you “Chin up, kid!”, but then I realized, like J.C. Montgomery says above, “This is a very tough time to lose anyone under any circumstances”, so that’s maybe even more flippant.

Ultimately, I think Flutter gets it spot-on.

My sentiments exactly.
on December 23, 2007 at 6:19 pm5 shell

oh, darling. i am so, so sorry. i wish i could give you a big hug. xoxo
on December 28, 2007 at 4:22 pm6 Chantele

I’m so sorry Maggie.
on May 1, 2008 at 9:02 pm7 there but for the Grace « Okay, Fine, Dammit

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