My Christmas nightmare

Ashley Hawk

Ms. Keene

ENC 1101

29 January 2014
My Christmas Nightmare

We never really think about death until tragedy happens and we're forced to face the

inevitable. We make plans for our future not realizing at any moment life can be taken

away. I never really thought much about it myself, I mean who wants to think about

something so saddening? That all changed when I was faced with the irrefutable veracity

of my uncle's passing.

I had been working the night shift at work as a certified nursing assistant ( CNA )

and going to school full-time during the day to receive my bachelor's degree in nursing.

The past six months had been really hectic, no time for enjoyment but most of all no

time for family. However, Christmas was three weeks away, schools would be closing

soon and I would be off work for the holidays. I was exultant, I would finally be

getting a much needed break and I would get to see family since we continuously spent

every major holiday together.

I woke up Saturday morning, a week before Christmas animated for the time I would

be spending with family. I showered, and feeling a bit hungry I decided to cook me an

agreeable breakfast. Pancakes, eggs and bacon it is, I thought to myself. I was standing

in the kitchen by the stove preparing my meal listening to Whitney Houston sing “ I

Will Always Love You” on the radio, scrutinizing my day. My plan was to do some last

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minute Christmas shopping with my mom then pick my sister up, finally we were going

to dinner and a movie. My thoughts were interrupted by the ringing sound of the phone,

assuming it was my boss calling to convince me to come in to work on my day off I

decided not to answer. I had finished cooking breakfast and was about to sit down at

the kitchen table to devour every bit when the phone rang for a second time. He,

(referring to my boss) must be out of his mind if thinks I’m coming in to work on my

day off, I thought to myself. I prolonged my meal refusing to let work get in the way

of my much needed relaxation. By the third ring I rumored to myself, it can't be the

boss calling because he doesn't have the house number only my cellphone number, I

reluctantly answered. I picked up the receiver and before I could say hello I could hear

my mom bawling hysterically, I instantly got a bad feeling in my gut that something

wasn't right. What happened? What's going on? I asked. Through sobs she finally told

me the horrific news. “Uncle Robert was hit by a drunk driver”, is he ok? I interrupted.

“No baby he didn't make it” My mom said. GOD NO! I screamed. I fell to my knees

unable to stand any further crying irrepressibly. This can't be happening Christmas is a

week away, Why Lord? Why? I know it's not right to question you but I have to know

why , I said talking to God. I lay paralyzed on the living room floor trying to come to

terms with what my mom had just told me. The realization that I would never see him

again hit my heart heavy. I thought about my baby cousin’s who would have to grow

up without a father, I thought about my aunt who would now have to raise the kids

alone, and I thought about how broken my mom must felt, he was her baby brother.

Hawk 3 I come from a fairly large family and we loved each other dearly. As I still lay

paralyzed on the floor, old memories came rushing in my mind. I remember him buying

me my first car, I remember him always being there when I needed advice or needed

to talk, but the most memorable and funny moment I can remember is when my Uncle

Robert thought he hit the lottery. It was a little over two years ago, all the family was

down celebrating the family's reunion. My uncle Robert, my mom and some of my

aunts were in the living room watching the news when the announcement of the lottery

numbers came on, my uncle Robert never missed a beat on playing the lottery. The

voice on the television read the numbers 13, 22, 34, 28, the last number is 33, my

uncle Robert shouted with joy “ I WON! I WON!” My siblings and I came running in

the living room to see what was all the ruckus about, “I WON THE LOTTERY” My

uncle said. He gave my siblings and I $20.00 a peace, we were laughing hysterically.

“Whats so funny” He asked. When we told him that he was watching a recording from

two months ago everyone started laughing. Moments like these are the one's I’ll miss

the most. As I came back to reality I started to feel numb, some Christmas I thought.

We buried My uncle three days after Christmas which was one of the hardest things

my family every had to endure. His kids took it the hardest, seeing him laying there as

if he were asleep not understanding that he would never wake up again. The pastor gave

an amazing sermon that touched everybody that sat in the church, we all said our

goodbyes and everyone left the church sobbing.

Your life can take a drastic change at any moment so live it like it's your last. Never

take anyone for granted especially family. Losing my uncle in such a tragic way, right

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before Christmas taught me to live life with a purpose, which I intend to do.