Nineteen days after we lost Freddy, we have lost TJ.

Yesterday morning early, as I was getting ready to go to work the house phone began to ring. As luck would have it, the battery gave it up. As soon as you would clear the charger cradle, the phone would go dark and blank. Then I could hear my cell phone in the kitchen. Run as I might, by the time I got there, it would roll over to voice mail, then before I could call back, the house phone would go off again and the caller's number would be busy.

When I checked my voice mail, it was Pat and I could tell by the urgency in her voice that something was majorly wrong. "Oh, please call!", she said.

When I finally connected with her, she was very distraught. "There is no easy way to tell you, but Terri died last night", she said.

I was shocked. She told me to please hurry over as she was preparing to go and tell Mom and Dad. Fortunately, one of Dad's sisters and her husband were still in the area and Pat called them and they started for Mom and Dad's as well. I went back to the bedroom, and even though I knew we had had a very fitful night, I woke Krl and told her.

Like me she was stunned. She told me she would go with me. Shortly thereafter, we were in the SUV and heading west. Of course nothing is ever easy or convenient. None of the three vehicles at our house had enough gas to make the trip.

Finally we were on the road. It was a difficult trip. I would glance at the speedometer and I would have crept up to eighty. I would slow it back down only to find moments later that I was speeding along, even faster than before.

After what seemed like an eternity, we arrived.

Already the small town had begun to respond. In addition to family gathering at Mom and Dad's, many of the same people who were first responders when Fred died were there as well.
Once again, the many friends came to our rescue.

During Krl's and my trip over, I had talked with E, TJ's husband. Needless to say he was an emotional wreck. Thankfully, his family had already arrived to offer support because it is four hundred thirty miles from my parents house to TJ and E's in South Texas. E told me that during the night TJ had woken, complaining of a headache. He had asked her if he could get her anything for it and she told him she was going to get up for a while. Later, she came back to bed and cuddled up, telling him she had been sleeping so good but she needed just a little more. When E woke up in the morning he tried to wake her and she was gone. TJ was forty-three.

Like what happened to Fred, she just failed to wake up.

Unlike Fred, they are doing an autopsy on TJ. I know they are intrusive, but probably one thing we learned from losing Fred is that we had questions that might benefit the health of all of us remaining siblings. As Memama said, "If GOD is going to continue to take my children, I want some answers".

Three of TJ and E's kids were away from home. Two were in West Central Texas 400+ miles from home. Immediately plans mobilized to unite them and then transport the kids home. The rest of the day was spent hurrying up and waiting as plans and logistics were weighed, decisions made and plans put in place. At one point Coach had a plane waiting to take the boys home before the weather flared up South of San Antonio and the flight was cancelled.

I'm a horrible waiter.

Once Jake and Lindsey had left with the boys as passengers, Pat and Kyle soon followed. Rian headed back to Lubbock for an obligation there. Pepa's sister and her husband had returned to Abilene to retrieve their RV to transport Memama and Pepa to South Texas. (Pepa continues to have a problem with EXTREME swelling in his lower right leg and the sitting position in a vehicle for the seven hour drive would only make the situation worse. At least in their RV he could keep it elevated). Coach was returning to Brownwood to pickup Jani and head South.

Krl and I left Roscoe between five thirty and six and headed back to Abilene. Thank goodness our cell phones have strong power cells as they continued to be used almost non-stop until well after ten in the evening.

When we left Roscoe the tentative plan was for a Wednesday service with TJ's burial in South Texas. Jeanetta and members of her family had decided to drive from Indiana and they began their long road trip late Monday. Rian and Erica were planning to leave early Tuesday from Lubbock. Hag and Chris were going to be leaving from Roscoe. A three car caravan was meeting in Abilene consisting of Krl and I ,along with Linda, Joni, Christy and the two grandsons. Jason was booking a flight from Florida, Jeri was booking a flight South from the metroplex.

We had enlisted the help of our cousin Ron and his wife Linda who live in Corpus Christi to see if they could secure eleven motel rooms for us. I thought it would probably be difficult because of the seasonal harvest crews in the area. Much to our relief, Linda called back and informed us that accommodations were reserved. They will never know how much it helped for them to locate rooms. It allowed us to continue on to other details.

Late in the day I called E back, it was one of probably four or five conversations we had during the day. He was doing some better. His boys weren't yet home, but I told him they should be there within the hour and that Pat was close behind. I continued to relate all the plans that were in motion because I wanted him to feel as though the calvary was rushing to his aid. He told me he was waiting on a call from the funeral home as they had told him they were in route to retrieve Tj's body from the medical examiner. He had told us early in the day that they had completed the autopsy.

Apparently the information was wrong. When I finally talked with Pat after her arrival there, she informed me that the body had not been released and that the medical examiner had not completed the autopsy.

The next little bit of time was spent trying to get hold of family to tell them they might want to delay their departure. Everyone was still at home with the exception of Jeanetta. She and her family had already been on the road two hours and were in Illinois.

At last conversation, the service could be Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.

I hate to drag things out.

For those readers who might want to know, the Funeral Director in charge will be Resthaven Funeral Home, 606 S. San Patricio, Sinton, Texas.

Our hearts are hurting.

I know E, Shelby, Robyn, Wes, and Riley are hurting bad. I know Memama and Pepa can't believe what is transpiring. Pat is where she feels like she needs to be. I think she functions better when she is trying to fix something for somebody. I guess that is her training. Coach and I are reeling. Krl is very upset. Jeanetta seemed to be in shock. Fred's family has had their limited healing stripped away as they revisit a situation that is almost unbearable.

I can't believe all this has happened in less than three weeks.

And I wonder why.

I am editing now several hours after the initial post. Services are set for 10 Thursday morning. We learned that after most of the civilized world, and that really aggravates me to the core.

My phone was left in Krl's care as I couldn't make contact with anyone down South, and when I talked to Roscoe, they already knew what plans were. Doesn't really make sense.

I took Krl's phone and ran a few errands. Why she told them I had her phone I don't know, but it rang constantly! Pat, wanting to chew me out, Memama telling me how much she needed me down there! Hello! I tried to tell everyone that there really wasn't any reason to go down yesterday, especially with the autopsy pending. It seems everyone was going down for support for E and the kids yet everyone is still at the motel. Go figure!

I've already said I am not good at waiting. That hasn't changed. Just because you made decisions that suited you, don't try to force them on me!

If Krl and I go at all, it may be Thursday morning very very early! After the last ass eating out by Pat I told her to cancel our room. I don't need this!

I am fixing to prepare my resignation for the parts store and write up a demand letter for some titles!

Have a day.

FATHER, we need some answers. We need YOUR comfort and care. We pray for safe travel for all of those traveling to be with TJ's family. Deliver us.