There are times when this blog will be memories for my kids and just random thoughts. This is one of the memory times.
Thirteen years ago my brother-in-law, Dale Pitsch, died. I remember the day in spurts....burts of times and images....things said....and not said......
It was a Sunday. Wayne and I had come back from taking the kids to church and Wayne had left to go mow lawns. I was downstairs putting clothes in the washer when Amie came down with the phone telling me it was Aunt Ann. I could hear her but I couldn't understand what she was saying. All I understood was 'Dale' 'plane' 'crash'. I remember asking her if Scott was with Dale or if my dad was with Dale. I don't know why I asked that but I remember asking.
I have no recollection of what I said to my children. I think I tried to remain calm. I always try to outwardly look calm when I'm giving bad news. At that time I didn't know what happened to Dale. I really thought he was just injured in a plane crash.
I don't know how I got to Ann's house. There was a stretch of US 131 where I remember thinking someone needs to pull me over because I'm driving too fast and I don't remember how I've gotten where I was, I knew I shouldn't be driving at all....but there were no police cars to be found. I was driving about 85 mph. Whenever I get to that stretch along 131 I still think the same thing, it's where I can always see the clouds so clear, I remember looking at them and thinking, I need to start praying, so I did....I starting saying the rosary.
Ann wasn't at the house when I got there. There were a bunch of guys outside and one of them told me Dale and John had both died. Someone tried to hug me but I didn't let them. I just walked away.
Ann was too young to be a widow. Scott was only 7; Jessica was 5 almost 6 and Eric was 4, all way to young to be without their dad.
Scottie was convinced that his dad would be fine, that the doctors would be able to fix him. Jessie spent time on the trampoline yelling 'hi dad' to the sky; and Eric was just too young to understand anything.
Then everyone coming over....all the Pitsches....trying to get in touch with all the Pitsches....especially Mr. and Mrs. Pitsch so they didn't hear it from someone else....trying to find Mars and Wayne and mom and dad.
It was a horrible day. Things I don't remember and things I wish I could forget.
I think peoples lives changes that day. Or should I say, family and friends of Ann and Dale's lives changed that day. I think the direction of some of their lives changed after Dale died and they aren't even aware of it. Most of the Dale's brothers and sisters don't even speak to each other and I wonder if it would be different if Dale was still alive.
When I learn how to post pictures, a picture will follow.
I don't know why I happened to google Dales name, but when I did I found this letter. I went to Western Michigan University with Ann and Dale and attended their wedding with one of my Suite Mates Pam McDonald(who passed away before Dale). Ann was at her funeral in Port Huron. One day I was thinking about Ann and Dale and I called her on her landline. I will never forget how sad I was to hear the news of that terrible accident and the loss she was going through. I still think of Ann often and tried to call her not too long ago, but I did not get through to an answering machine. I hope that this time passed has helped the family to heal and reunite. I also lost a sister 31 years ago and it took my family a long time to totally reconnect as we all were devastated when she died. Please know I am thinking of Dale, Ann and all the family. I hope this letter somehow reached you and I know I will have to try sending a note to the address I have for Ann. My prayers go out to all of you.
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