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

im very sry for ur lost but ur poem says it all how much u cared and ave been through my heart goes out to u godbless

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

What a beautiful tribute to your son Debileah. He sounded like a wonderful boy. Your hurt and love show through this piece very clearly. Thank you for sharing such an emotional thing. *hugs*

Posted 15 Years Ago


3 of 3 people found this review constructive.

I am so sorry for your loss. I thought this was a beautiful ode to your son. How tragic that the man who did this only was given ten years. The laws need to change! I am sorry. My prayers are with you and yours.

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

I see by the date it is near only one year since this time has passed from your son walking the red road to the black. Your poem tells of a man who walked this life with dignity and compassion. A man to make any mother proud. Clearly you raised him well and his spirit is a strong spirit. I wouldn't be surprised if you sense his hand upon your shoulder from time to time.
He made an incredible sacrifice; just as he was willing to make in Japan. It must have been in his nature to be a nurturing soul. He was the rock for your family and I would wager that he still whispers to all of you in times of trouble.

Posted 15 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

I'm sorry about your lost. What a great poem to write in memory of a loved one. My prayers are with you and your family.

Posted 16 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

This is so sad, and heartfelt. An incredible loss!
May heaven grant you strength to bear the weight of every tear.
Lot's of love! Thanks for sharing.

Posted 16 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Interesting. I came to your name to read another poem. I do not remember titles well just as I forget names. Out of all of your poems I came back here. It really is powerful.

Posted 16 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

Hi there debeliah,

It is people like your son that cast a shadow on the existence of a god. When you are perpetually afraid from constant tirades of violent abuse be it verbal or physical, you actually become what these other people want you to become.

I really hope that you put some lyrics together for your son and keep singing the praises of your beautiful heroic son and also know that he had some of you in him.

Hope to hear from you again. Let each ray of sunlight on your face be a smile of your son from heaven.

Imagedden







Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

So loving, so beautiful,,,just awwwww =)

Love
Me

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

There are no words I can add that would ever begin to understand your grief. I hope writing this out helps in some small way to educate people about the drink driving horrors.
Hugs

Posted 16 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.


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3376 Views
121 Reviews
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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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