Sunday, September 6, 2009

a peasant lost...

(jacob, chase, katherine, hannah, and barrett)

a week ago last night, we received devastating news on the lane...
a dear friend had been killed in an automobile accident.

~@~

katherine and jacob nervously came into my bedroom, "mom, people are posting on facebook there was a really bad wreck. they are saying chase was in the wreck... quick, will you turn on your police scanner?"

i did, but the scanner was unusually quiet.

katherine and jacob returned to her room to see if there was any more updated information.

in the meantime, john and i were watching tv. our local station had a "breaking news" report. the reporter, said that there had, indeed, been a head-on-collision on one of our county roads and one of the drivers had been killed. his passenger had had to be cut from the wreckage and life-flighted to a nearby hospital.

as soon as i saw the car, i knew it was chase's.

i turned to john and shook my head.
my eyes welled up with tears.
my heart began to break.

~@~

many of you long-time blogger friends of mine will recall that katherine and hannah referred to their three best guy friends as their "peasants".

chase ryan trent was one of their "peasants".

~@~

i quickly got out of bed and put on my clothes. then i made my way to the kitchen and checked my cell phone for missed calls. i had MANY missed calls. the most recent was from hannah's mom, linda. i immediately double-clicked her name in order to return her call.

when she answered, i knew. "dani, there was a wre..."
i interrupted her, "was it chase???" my voice broke.
"yes..." she said. "he was killed, dani."
"no..." i replied as i physically sank.

katherine and jacob were standing right there with me. all the color drained from katherine's face, and jacob, in horror, ran out the back door. katherine chased after him.

~@~

"who was the passenger, linda?" i asked not knowing if i really wanted to know considering the image i had in my head of chase's car.
"we have heard that the passenger was 'a jake or a jacob'..." she hesitated.
"linda, jacob hagan is here. it's not him."
"oh, thank GOD!" relieved she exclaimed back into the phone.

i told her barrett was at home... it wasn't him either. as we finished our conversation, katherine told me jacob was on his phone with barrett, who wanted desperately for us to come be with him at his house. so, i grabbed my purse and keys.

~@~

on our way to the jeep, i told jacob to call his mother and let her know that he was okay... as it seemed there were those who thought he was chase's passenger.

~@~

on the drive to barrett's house, there was only the sound of muffled sobbing.

when we arrived, the three friends saw each other and embraced. for that moment in time, no one else existed. in total shock, i could only stand frozen and watch.

~@~

after a bit, katherine came to me and told me chase's girlfriend, tiffany, had asked that we come to chase's house to be there with her and chase's parents. hence, the kids climbed into the jeep, and i drove them to chase's house.

when we turned onto chase's street, i noticed the street was lined with kids and neighbors all waiting, wondering, and mourning. i stopped on the cul-de-sac right in front of chase's house. we somberly made our way to the front door and entered.

~@~

the house was mostly dark, but a light from the den shone through the kitchen. we walked toward the light and found chase's parents, randy and phyllis, and their pastor sitting in the den.

"oh, dani," phyllis said as she arose.

i made my way across the room to her and hugged her and cried with her.

love and God's blessings,
dani xxx

please keep chase's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

17 comments:

Sally said...

This tears me up, and hits too close to home, Dani. I'll talk to you later. God bless his family and friends.

Linda said...

Dani, I'm just bawling. As a parent, I can only imagine. I will be lifting all of you up in prayer, especially Chase's family. This just breaks my heart terribly.

Anonymous said...

God bell all.
QMM

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

Dani - I've seen some of your comments on facebook and wondered.... Wow this just broke my heart.

Praying.

SuzanSayz said...

I'm so sorry for all of you going through this. How horrible for his parents. Thank goodness for Katherine and his other friends to be there offering their loving support. You will all be in my prayers Dani.

Heidi D said...

I'm so sorry for you guys. Our prayers are with you all.

Bren's Life said...

Oh my Goodness! I am sitting here with chills everywhere. I can't believe that. I am so sorry. I am so sorry for Katherine & her friends.. And of course Chase's family.
You all are in my prayers

Cheri said...

My thoughts and prayers (and real life tears) are with you!!!

Huge hugs from, MO!!
Cheri

Amanda said...

I cannot and don't even begin to imagine what Chases family are going through. Please know that i am thinking of you all.
Love and Big Hugs,
Amanda xxxx

Michelle Alley said...

I am just heartbroken for Chase's family, friends, and particularly for your Katherine. I'm so sorry that this wonderful boy was taken from this earth. I know that you will be a comfort for you daughter as you talk about all the fun times she had with her friend. Pease be with you and all those who are in mourning. May God's love embrace all of you
Michelle

Anonymous said...

Dani, I am so sorry for this loss and the pain you and your kids are in and for Chase's poor parents. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child! Thanks for sharing this story. It made me cry and definitely is a wake up call to how short life is and makes me think deeply about how I am spending my time and treating others and making my life count for eternity. Thanks and so sorry! Love, Gwen

Lisa Christine said...

There are no words to express my sadness for you, your daughter, your friends, and your community.

Thoughts and prayers from Washington.

Little Sweethearts said...

I wish I could be a shoulder for you to lean on in this difficult time, but I can only offer words of sympathy.
My thoughts are with Chase's family and yours.

Much love and a big hug,
Tania

Tanya said...

Dani, I'm so sorry for the loss of Chase, I will be keeping you all in my prayers...

Much love to you all,

Tan xxx

Lucy said...

Dani, I read this tragic news on your face book but the horror of it all has just sunk in with your retelling of this horendous accident. Our prays are with you all especially Chase's family. Please give Katherine a warm and comforting hug from me. Love

Christy said...

Gosh, I am so sorry Dani. You guys are in my thoughts...

The Adventures of Maverick & the Mrs. said...

D, this makes me absolutely sick for all of you. I'll be sure to keep you guys in my prayers.