For the last 20 years July 27th has been a very sad day. You see July 27th is the anniversary of when my only brother died. Rod was 21 years old and was killed in a head on collision while driving home to Estevan, Saskatchewan fro Regina. This year marks the 20th anniversary.
It happened during a really bad rainstorm when a truck hydroplaned, lost control and drove head on into his car. Rod died instantly. Man, his wedding day was only a month away. He left behind a fiancee, countless friends, a little brother and a Mom and Dad. He had just completed Electronics Engineering and had a whole life ahead of him.
My brother and I shared one passion and a dream…. That dream was to own a Corvette.
Ever since Rod and I were the yougest of age we talked about Corvettes, drew pictures of Corvettes, built Lego Corvettes, bought plastic models of Corvettes and imagined our bicycles were Corvettes. We’d beg Dad to take us down to the Chevrolet dealership when the new models came in and just look at them, returning home with a brochure as a treasure. Never actually thinking we’d ever own one.
20 years ago on July 27th, a police officer pulled up to our home in Estevan to inform us that Rod had died in a car accident. I remember seeing my mom and dad almost collapse at the news, what a blow. Shock, disbelief not sure what else to say. I can remember the numbness, like someone kicking you right in the stomach. I’ll always remember the funeral people from around the country and that Rod’s gravestone has a Corvette emblem on it. The emblem served as a reminder for something he did not have time with us to purchase.
So July 27th has always been a bad day.
Each year as it comes around my family is sad, we remember how hard it was to push through emotions, the tears, the sadness and the funeral. My family puts a tribute in the classifieds of the local paper to also mark the day.
So I decided this year to take July 27th back for me. No more sadness, no more tears, let’s get a great memory to happen on this day.
Yesterday I found a Corvette, my first one and bought it. It is like new, is in impeccable condition with only 12,000 miles and is a dream come true.
So when I had locked on a price and the deal was final, I called Dad and told him what I bought. We were both so excited, running through features, model and year. I then said, “Dad, Rod would be proud.” silence came over the phone… We both broke down over the phone in tears and choked up, we both could not talk.
I then returned to the sales office where my wife was to finish the deal and replayed the story back for her and the sales manager. We all actually teared up a bit again.
So I drove home a happy person and now have a new memory for July 27th. A very good one.
Enjoy life, hug your family and go after your dreams…
When you have anniversaries for moments that are sad, take them back and make them good ones…
We’re only here for a short time…
My wife writes about the day over on her blog...
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