Don't forget to visit my website! Jackie Coleman - Author

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Scar on my Knee

When I was taking a relaxing lavender-scented bubble bath by candlelight the other night, I looked down and saw this feint scar on my knee ...


I know exactly how I got it. Back when the kids were little and needed a babysitter, I hired a really sweet, kind teenager to come to the house everyday to watch them every summer. The kids adored her ... and I think I know why ... she was incapable of telling them no!

As I was getting into bed on that night beautiful summer night, I suddenly felt a searing pain in my knee. I looked down and it was ripped open. It seems the kids liked to use my bed as a trampoline while I was at work, and one of the springs busted through the side of the mattress. By the time I got downstairs to the kitchen to doctor myself, blood was pooling on the floor around my leg. I don't remember it hurting, but maybe that's because I was so mad!!

I can laugh about it now, but can guarantee you ... I did not laugh about it that night!

PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!

Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Monday, October 29, 2018

Three Blind Mice ... and a Cat!


My daughter's first performance in the Philharmonic Choir was Saturday night. Since it was a Halloween show, they were allowed to dress up. She went as a cat, and was apparently preying on three blind mice from the chorus.

(Click on the picture to enlarge it to see her ears and whiskers.)

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Done ... For This Year

I finally got my hill planted! I was short 2-3 dozen vines, but this is all I can do until next spring. I removed the sod with a hoe, and I planted the vines with my big spoon. Laugh if you will, but I couldn't find my garden shovel when I moved in. So ... I dug out my big, steel spoon ... and this trusty spoon has planted hundreds of dollars worth of plants. (Click on any photo to enlarge.)


Here is what it looked like before I started ...


I planted a row of boxwoods, leaving a flat part between the shrubs and the hill so that I could cut any vines that tried to take over the yard. Vinca vines are prolific spreaders. I needed that strip of grass to cut to keep my entire lawn from becoming vinca vines. A few weeks ago I planted fifteen vinca vines I had found on sale. I planted a particularly hard place to mow first. Actually, the entire hill is extremely difficult to cut, but I had to start somewhere ...


Then I found 83 (I thought I had 84, but one pot was empty), so I started clearing the hill ...






Finally, the hill was cleared ...


So I started planting. It's hard to see the vines, but trust me ... they're there ...




I still have some of the tilled ground that needs to be planted, plus some on the other side of the basketball goal. I didn't clear the other side of the goal because I knew I wouldn't have enough plants. Even with a total of 98 plants, I was doubtful that I had enough plants for what I had cleared ... and, sadly, I was right. But, that's all I can do for this year. It's done ... until next spring ...

 
I know I won't find the same bargain on the vinca vines next spring, and I have no expectation that I will be able to find them on sale late in the season like I did this year. There have been many times I've looked for vinca vines in the summer and they were all sold out, so finding them in the fall this year was a real surprise. I do wish I had more vines and could have completed this project this year, but I'm grateful I was able to do as much as I did. Vines or not, it's a relief to know I won't have to cut the hill again ... ever!

I have another hill on the other side of my driveway that's much higher and steeper. The plan is to plant that hill, too. I'm already dreading it.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!

Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Two Years Ago Today ...


When I’m feeling my worst and missing my son so much every fiber of my being cries out to hold him, I remind myself that I am one of the lucky ones. I know where and how my son died, and I know he died instantly. He did not lay there suffering. I saw his body at the funeral home and got to kiss him goodbye and sing the songs of his childhood softly into his ear.

As agonizing as it was to see my child in a casket and feel his skin cold, there are many other mothers who do not ever get that privilege. They have no idea where their child is or if they are alive or dead. I wake up every day to the reality that my son is gone, while they have to wake up wondering if today will be the day that the body of their beloved child is found.

There are also those who, like me, did get to bury their child. They were able to say goodbye. They, too, know how their child died, but it’s so horrific it makes them physically ill and haunts both their dreams and their every waking moment.

When Davy had his wreck in December of 2014, I remember thinking that despite my fear of what the future held for him, I was lucky. It was the hospital who called, not the police or coroner. I knew where my son was. I had no idea if he would ever recover consciousness, if he would remember his life and family, or even if he would be able to feed himself. But he was alive and I had hope.

For a long time, Davy was so angry … and he always took it out of me. Having a simple conversation with him could be trying. Anything I said or did could set him off. But this past year had been different. There were times the old Davy slipped in, but there were more times that I was beginning to see the Davy I used to know … the funny, silly boy he used to be. Spending time with him was once again a pleasure, and I looked forward to being with him. Then he was taken away

And I feel cheated.

Someone robbed us all of the years we would get to love and laugh with him. They stole all the years we would have to make memories of him. They took him away from two babies too young to remember him except through stories and videos that we share.

We were all cheated.

I could rail about it not being fair, but then I think of the other mothers who don’t know where their child is. I don’t have to wonder if my son is cold or hungry or in pain. I don’t have to wonder if he’s being mistreated. And then I think about how sad it is that I am one of the “lucky” ones who I got to bury my child, for that is a luxury denied to many. The pain those families are in makes mine seem like a walk in the park.

I also know where he is, and that I will see him again one day. I know his soul is at peace. Davy was baptized two years ago today. Everyone in the church had prayed for him when he had his accident, stopped by the hospital to offer comfort or bring snacks for us. The day he was baptized, people cried and praised God for answering our prayers.

Those same people provided a weeks worth of meals for me and my daughters, delivering them to each of us daily. They came to the funeral home to offer comfort. Their constant prayers sustained us during our darkest days.

Everyone says it will get better ... in time. I know they are right, but there will never be enough time to ease the sadness that envelopes me when I think of him.

I miss you, Davy, and I love you. I want you back. The only thing that keeps me from going insane with grief is the certainty that I will see him again one day in heaven ... and what a glorious reunion that will be.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!
Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Friday, October 19, 2018

Happy Fall Y'all!

This is all the fall decorating I'm doing this year. Simple, but pretty ... and childproof!


PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!
Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

This is Where I Was Baptized

In August of 1976, I went with our church youth group to a CIY (Christ in Youth) Convention. It was held on the campus of Milligan Christian College in eastern Tennessee, and it was there that I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Best decision I ever made!


PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!
Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.

SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Wish I Hadn't Been Too Young

I was alive in 1972, but far too young to attend anything like this. I do remember my oldest brother and one of my older sisters going. It was officially billed as the Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival, but they were calling it Bull Island, because that's where it was held. Neither were into heavy drinking or drugs (which were apparently plentiful) ... they both went with friends for the music.

My sister said someone came up and asked her if she had any brownies. She smiled sweetly and said, "No, but I've got some pretzels and chicken-in-a-biscuit." The guy got a really confused look on his face and walked away ... that's when someone with her said, "He asked if you had any downers, not brownies!" It doesn't matter, her answer would have been the same!

Monday, October 15, 2018

I Like to Think This is What it was Like When My Son Went to Heaven ...


PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!
Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Four Years Ago Today

Davy walked his sister down the aisle to marry the love of her life. It made him so happy that she asked him to do that for her. It made me happy, too. Everything about that day was perfect.




PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!
Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.

SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Davy's Son Turns Three Today

Davy died about a month before his daughter turned two, and now he's missing his son's birthday as well. It doesn't seem possible that he's gone. I still find myself reaching for my phone to call or text him. We try to keep his memory alive for the babies, but they will only remember the stories they've been told, and the pictures and videos they've seen. They will have no real memories of their father ... and I find that so profoundly sad.

Davy's birthday started off the "Birthday Season", so all of us will spend our birthday's without Davy ... but his kid's birthdays are the hardest for me.


Davy could get his little boy giggling like no one else ...


He loved his Daddy ... and his Daddy loved him ...




The Sheriff's Office still has not located the car or driver that killed Davy. According to their report, the two drivers who did stop were from Kentucky. There is no telling where the person who did this was coming from or going to. As time goes by, I find myself losing hope that they will ever be found, but I will never give up hope entirely. 

Whoever did this will have to answer for it one day ... on earth or in heaven ... but I hope it's here on earth. I want to look then in the eye and ask why they didn't stop. Even if they have a long history of drunk driving or drug convictions, they'll likely only get a slap on the wrists. There is no way of proving they were high or drunk when this happened. There will be no way to search the car to discover an open container of booze or drugs or a felon with a gun ... yet they still won't come forward.

I just want to know who did it and why they didn't stop. 

PLEASE KEEP YOUR EYE OUT
FOR THE CAR THAT KILLED MY SON!
Even if you don't live in the Evansville area, please keep an eye out for this car. It was traveling South on I-69. It could have been coming from and going to anywhere. The Sheriff's office will follow up any ANY lead.

The Sheriff’s Office has identified the make and model of the suspect vehicle from the fatal hit and run crash that killed 23-year old David “Davy” Egan, father of two, on Friday, June 22, 2018 on I-69 near south Green River Road.
SUSPECT VEHICLE: Silver 1998-2002 Honda Accord sedan. 2-door or 4-door body style. The vehicle will have damage to the front end.

If you know of a vehicle matching this description, please contact the Sheriff's Office TIP line at 812-421-6297 or leave a web tip here.