Family taken in an instant
By Kavara-Lani LeMaster
Nanakuli High School
She was so excited to be leaving with her new husband and two sons from a prior marriage. This was going to be the start of a real family her sons needed and wanted. They loved their new dad, Charles. Going to the Mainland was going to be a good new start for all four of them.
Charles and Carol became apartment managers. It was a great job, for Carol could stay home with the boys and earn some money. George and Danny adjusted well in school, although they missed home a lot.
When Georgie boy wrote home to his grandma, he always drew pictures to show his talent. He wanted to be a famous architect when he grew up. His grandma would tell everyone who would listen that her grandson was going to be famous one day.
Time came and went, and things kept going well for Carol and Charles. They were saving money to come back home to Hawai'i to visit. Everyone couldn't wait to see how big the boys had gotten. When they had left, they were still in the third and fourth grades. Now they were in high school.
Grandma was happy to hear that they were coming home for Christmas. She told everyone that her grandsons were coming home. Grandpa and Grandma were already planning a big Christmas party.
Two weeks before they were to leave, the phone rang at Grandma's at 3:37 a.m. This was the call nobody wants to get.
Carol was crying on the other end and telling Grandma what had happened.
On that cold night it had snowed, and Charles and the boys went to deliver Christmas presents to other family members. Carol kissed them goodbye and said, "Drive carefully. The roads are wet and I love all of you."
George and Danny were singing Christmas songs with their dad when out of nowhere came a car full of drunk teenagers. It crossed the solid line and entered the lane Charles was driving in. By the time the drivers saw each other, it was too late. The teens' car hit Charles' car head-on. Everything happened so fast.
The ambulance driver told Charles that they were taking George to the hospital. Charles said, "What about my baby, Danny?"
The police, firemen and ambulance driver went looking for Danny. They found Danny's body twisted, for he had been thrown from the car and killed on impact.
On the way to the hospital, George kept asking for Danny and his dad. He was told they would meet him at the hospital. George gave the attendant his hand and told him to tell his family he loved them and to thank them for the architectural supplies they got for him.
George had found out that he was accepted at one of the top architecture schools on the Mainland. His parents were so proud of him. They knew he would be known for the buildings he would design. His hand felt the attendant's hand, and George died before reaching the hospital.
When Charles got to the hospital, he was going in and out of consciousness. Carol was there. She already knew that George and Danny were dead.
Charles heard her crying and grabbed her hand and told her how the boys were singing and they would be fine. His last words to her were, "Honey, I'll love you forever." He looked at her and closed his eyes.
In one night, she had lost her sons and her husband.
The teens came through with minor cuts and scratches, and were released to their parents. The driver felt bad about what had happened. All he did was cry and cry.
At the end of the court hearing, the driver was found guilty of manslaughter. He lost his driver's license for three years and did community service. Carol had a lot to do with him not going to jail. She told the judge that if sending him to jail would bring her family back, then put him there.
Instead, all she wanted was her funeral expenses paid. They needed to send George and Danny back to Hawai'i and pay for their funerals. The boy's parents agreed.
I wanted to share this story with you, because Carol is my aunt, and George and Danny were my cousins. I don't remember them because I was not even born. I hear about my cousins all the time. It's a shame that they lost their lives so young.
Remember, drinking and driving can ruin a family's life in one instant. It's OK to drink, but don't drive. If you are the driver, remember you are responsible for everyone's life in your car. Have fun but be responsible and safe. Don't let what happened to my aunt happen to you.
