Tuesday, December 04, 2012

December 4 1943


That day would be important in my life, although I wasn't
even born yet.
In fact, my parents had not even met.
It was the day the Grandfather I would never know
was killed by a drunk driver while walking
on the side of a road in a small East Texas town.
My Dad was two weeks shy of his 16th birthday.
As anyone can probably imagine it was devastation to this family.
My Grandmother was a young widow at 34
with a teenager and a young daughter to raise.
Life would take twists and turns and things would
work out. But I can only believe that was one
very hard Christmas.
My Dad never discusses this event, yet it shaped him,
69 years ago today.
I just wanted to remember my Grandfather Luke
because I found his information while doing a search on
the website at Ancestory.
So I took a photo from a local cemetery marked UNKNOWN
that will mark my remembrance of the Grandfather
I never knew, yet who lives in my blood, and through
the blood of his Great Grandchild who still bear his name. 

17 comments:

  1. That would be a difficult tragedy to get through for sure. A touching memorial for your Grandfather indeed.

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  2. For different sad-but-not-quite-as-tragic reasons, my human never had a grandfather on either side of her family. Purrs to you for acknowledging a grandfather you never had the chance to meet.

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  3. A very beautiful tribute. Holiday are for remembering too.
    Hugs and kitty kisses to you.

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  4. That's a lovely tribute. I didn't know my mom's dad, as he passed when I was quite young. I do have a couple of very dim memories of being in his home (I dropped playdough down the heating grate), but that's it.

    I also didn't know my dad's father, as he and my grandmother divorced and Herbert wasn't in my life. Plus, when my parents divorced (I was 14/15) neither grandparent had anything to do with me for years afterward, because I chose to live with Mom.

    So I think your connection to your unknown grandfather is quite remarkable. I feel no connection to mine--that's neither good nor bad, just is.

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  5. Absolutely beautiful...thank you for sharing this very special heartfelt post.
    Happy b-day Grandpa Luke!!!
    Madi and Mom

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  6. Such a wonderful tribute, he would be proud of you.

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  7. Such a lovely tribute - he must be smiling down to you from Heaven.
    Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

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  8. My best friend's mother was killed bu a drunk driver. So tragic and senseless. big hugs xoxo

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  9. A very nice memorial to the Grandfather you never knew.

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  10. I loved reading this. I am sentimental about my lost and gone long ago relatives and I have so few today that I know about. Mostly my own children. No aunts, uncles or cousins (that I can find or know about) no grandparents..they all passed when I was a just turned 12 and the others at 13.

    That is a loving tribute to your grandfather and I'm so glad you shared it with us here in your blog family.

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  11. A wonderful tribute to a man who we are sure would have been a terrific grandfather. We are glad you mark his passing. Everyone should have that dignity.

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  12. I'm so glad you shared this. The holidays are about family, then and now. By reframing the experience with an unknown person's grave, both your grandfather and the unknown person are honored.

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  13. What a horrific trauma for everyone, and how sad. The untimely loss of one person is like ripples in a pond, affecting so many in so many ways. You wrote a lovely post and we are glad the laws are tougher on drunk drivers than they were back then. We are sorry for your family's loss.

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  14. Oh, such a sad story--when I saw the date, I expected a war story but was even sadder to read about such a senseless loss. It is wonderful that you are honoring his memory today XOXOXO

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  15. Thanks for sharing this, your grandad exists in your heart.

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