Never say goodbye!

Never say goodbye!

A Poem by Deborah Leah Krempa
"

Please don't drink and drive! Let's keep each other safe and alive!

"

My son never fought in a war

upon a foriegn shore

Though he would have

had it been his calling

He enlisted into the service

at the young age of seventeen

he became a United States Marine

He was stationed in Okinawa Japan

There he learned to become a man

With a humanitarian discharge in hand

He returned home to help his family

which was in dire need of him

from the land of the red sun

To three young sisters and a mother ill

with manic depression

With his father just out prison

for making a bad decision

of dealing drugs

running with thugs

His son still looked up to him

forgiving him his sins

His parents were soon to be divorced

but dad came down with staff infection

from his terrible heroin addiction

Mom ended up in a hospital psychiatric unit

for her bi-polar affliction

Soon his father slowly and painfully died

He stood strong by his father's side

as staff infection from a dirty needle

consumed his every vital organ

His heart, his liver, his spleen...

Near the end he softly spoke the words

"I love you, dad."

Mom fell victim to alchohol

trying to drown her memories

of a violent marriage and mental illness

that had brought her to her knees

Taking care of three young sister's

was very hard accomplishment

for a young man of twenty-one

upon returning home

from the land of the red sun

 

Robert Stephen Krempa was born 7/31/73

Sadly and tragicly he was killed by a drunk driver 4/15/07

 

 He is credited for saving the life of a little four-year old boy

named Xavier.  It was a beautiful spring evening, just a year ago

my son had just gotten off of work. He had just become a manager of his company, his box of manuals not yet opened. Ironically, he was on his way with friends to buy a car and get his driver's license renewed. It

was a head on collision, as the car he was riding in as a passenger in the back seat, was hit while waiting for a red light. When out of nowhere came the oncoming car crashing into them, Leaving my son and his friends wife to die in puddles of their own blood. The car caught fire, thank God the fireman were able to put it out in time. When I went to the young mother's funeral, I

 was thanked for being the mother of a hero. For they say that

my son ripped off his seatbelt, and blocked little Xavier with his own body, so saving the young boy from ultimate death. Months later Xavier's father who was also critically injured as was his son, thanked me also and told me that my son is his hero, too. Xavier had been scalped to where the doctor's had to sew his scalp back to his head, he will always have the scar as a memory of what occurred that day. Worst of all, he has nightmares of the accident and the loss of his loving mother. He has trouble walking due to injuries to his spine.  The drunk driver was finally sentenced, he got ten years in prison for his crime. My son and his friend had their lives taken away in the prime of their lives because of someone else's foolishness and disregard for human life. They were both sober lovingly gentle people and are sadly missed by family and friends. The small poem I wrote for the obituary. I would like to share with you it reads as follows:              

 

The world has lost

A wonderful young man

Who had the potential, the ability, the mind

And, the heart of a scholar, a teacher, a philosopher

and an author

I lost my son

Love forever and always, Mom

 

© 2009 Deborah Leah Krempa


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Featured Review

Dear debileah...
What words of solace can I give you, dear one? You have lived the tragedy that every mother dreads to think of...I cannot say anything except convey my true sorrow at your monumental loss. Your writing has to be of some small comfort...and you share it with us here so that we may give back to you some of the love in our hearts...many blessings to you, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted 16 Years Ago


9 of 9 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

What words could possibly be given.. could any words offer you any comfort? I think not.. he was a hero. That much is clear.. but that doesn't make the pain any easier to bear. He defied the odds and became a great man. Some people fall and never again rise.. but he.. overcame great obstacles. He must have been one great guy.. and judging by how you speak of him.. I know that is true. My heart aches for you.. I wish I could do something, anything, to help you, but I am not sure if such is at all possible, dear friend. If words could ever truly express sorrow.. then I would try. But I fear I know no words that could possibly even begin to say what I long to tell you..

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Very touching. The poem never say good-bye is well written, dare I say written to prefection. The words to well place, the beat great. Though sad and heartfelt, it is a remarkable write. sorry for the events that inspired for it, but rest assure your sons' life was not in vain, for Xaiver will oned day to be a great man for son unselfish act.

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

this was amazing and extemely beautiful, very touching as well

Posted 15 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

I am in tears right now... what an emotional piece of writing.... i am sorry for the loss of your son... he sounded like a fantastic person with a big heart.

I have issues with the lack of penalty for drunk drivers... years ago a drunk driver ran a red light and plowed into the car i was in... he tired to flee but his airbag went off a few feet down the road causing him to stop. His blood alco level was twice the legal limit and all he got was a night in jail. We went to the hearing where the judge didnt even want to hear my side of the story - i was the one that was injured... it was a joke.

Posted 15 Years Ago


3 of 3 people found this review constructive.

My heart breaks as I read this. Very well written. So full of love and emotions. Thanks for sharing.

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

You do a great job here of getting your emotions down here. i am glad that you get your point across without stretching the truth or letting your emotions get the better of you. Instead, you use your emotions well and convey truth and pain in this piece in perfect balance. Even in grief, your work is still checked by a balance of emotion and truth. I'm still truly sorry for your loss.

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Hello debileah,
This is such a heart-rending piece that I regret to tell you to correct anything and I have no business doing this, but there is just the small thing about spelling and I don't know if the Japanese spell it another way.

The city is (Okinawa, Japan) not (Okinowa Japan).

To three young (sisters) sister's and a mother ill

Much Peace and Love. Cliff





Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

beautifully written

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

I don't know what to say... this is so sad and moving. I'd feel wrong giving it any literary criticism because of the subject and message. Although even if I did, I'm not sure I'd have anything to say. This is a strong tribute. NH

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

This brought tears, I dont know what to say . He was a hero but still a horrible loss. Like I said this brought tears

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.


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3376 Views
121 Reviews
Rating
Shelved in 12 Libraries
Added on April 18, 2008
Last Updated on February 28, 2009

Author

Deborah Leah Krempa
Deborah Leah Krempa

Toledo, OH



About
I am grandmother,.. My children and my grandchildren I love them all so very much. They are my gifts from my creator, the blessings in this life. I simply adore poetry and the .. more..

Writing

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