Since a lot of new members have joined since I posted an article about what happened to my family 12 years ago I thought I would write a re-cap. There is a member who also seems concerned about my "happiness" so I thought this would be a good time to re-post it.
On the night of March 1st 1998 my life changed forever. A knock of the door with 2 Police Officers telling me that my wife and 5 year old son had been killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. The force of the accident was so bad that my son was decapitated and died instantly. I don't remember the days that followed. The funeral was a blur. I remember 2 caskets and flowers. My life was over.
In the weeks and months that followed I grew stronger everyday thanks to great friends and family. I had been in the military and was a airline pilot. I knew I wanted to change my life and make something positive out of a horrible accident. I decided I wanted to go into health care and help others. I quit my job at the airlines and entered the best nursing school in Boston. I am now proud to say I am a Flight RN and work for Hospice.
I would also like to bring you up-to-date on the person who was charged in this accident. He was convicted of drunk driving and also had pot in his system. He was released from jail in September of 2010.
While I have been in constant contact with his parents I had never spent anytime with the person who did this. I had been carrying a lot of hate in my heart for this guy. This all changed on Christmas Day 2010. I knew my wife would want me to forgive him and after years of struggling I did. I met him and after a few tense minutes I saw he was just a normal guy who did a bad thing 12 years ago. I felt the rage and hate empty from inside me. It is much easier for me today to get up and face the world.
I am not sure if we will ever be "best friends" but he is planning a trip to Florida to visit me this Spring. I will keep you posted on how it goes.