❤ Chuck Colby – DERBY EMCEE ❤

“Dad explained that at breakfast, Mom got up for more coffee and collapsed. She was just gone. She suffered a brain aneurism and died instantly. Again, I filled with anger toward myself. Why hadn’t I been there? I was numb, and I kept all of this bottled up for a few days, until my friend Clay came to the visitation. When he walked through the door at the funeral home, something clicked, and I just let go, I sobbed for 10 minutes. It became real for me at that moment, this was not some nightmare. I was 16, and my Mom was dead.

“Friends came, teachers came, neighbors brought food. Everyone offered condolences and said how much they had loved my Mom, she really was a wonderful person. I feel like I saw the very best in people through this experience, I felt the love of people who cared about me. After a week, friends started asking me if I wanted to hang out, and I started doing things, surprised that life goes on. I was at my friend Al’s house when something funny happened and I remarked to everyone that I couldn’t wait to tell my Mom, she’s got such a sense of humor, Oh, that’s right, she’s gone. Our minds can play tricks on us.

“I was left feeling a powerful void. Dad did the best he could to help, but he was also dealing with his loss. I grew up fast, we became more roommates than father and son. I cooked and cleaned, he got the groceries, we had breakfast together most days. I coped with music, and I dove into after school activities. When I was busy, I didn’t feel so sorry for myself. Unfortunately, what I didn’t really do was deal with it. I didn’t have anyone who could help me through it. I am still dealing with this as an adult.

“I learned about Ele’s Place after I graduated from MSU (I did do well on the ACT after all!). I remember feeling an instant connection to Ele’s Place, and a desire to help. Young people who experience the loss of a loved one need help and a connection with peers who experienced a similar death. I wish that Ele’s Place had been around for me, that’s why I support Ele’s Place and serve as the Derby Emcee, so that this amazing healing center is there for grieving children and teens who need it.” ❤

❤ Chuck Colby – DERBY EMCEE ❤

“Mom. I remember these few days so vividly.

“Mom and I had spent the day before together. I was a new driver, proud to be entrusted to captain the trip to East Lansing to pick up my sister Carol. On the way down, Mom and I laughed so much, listened to our favorite cassette (Paul Simon’s Graceland album). Mom and I talked about the ACT test that I was scheduled to take the next day, she assured me that I would do fine. She was so good at helping me to believe in myself. We picked up Carol and loaded the car. All packed up in the Oldsmobile station wagon, we headed back home with me still proudly at the helm. We made good time and got home quickly, even making the mundane stop for bread and milk en route.

“I woke up excited in the morning. I got up early to go take the dreaded test with aspirations of getting a high enough score to earn entry to my desired college, Michigan State. My buddies picked me up. There is power in numbers, so we all went together. I remember sitting in the stale Midland High cafeteria (my rival high school). Sweaty palmed, I raced through the test feeling mostly confident and well prepared by my own teachers. To my pleasant surprise, highlighted moments of various lessons in algebra, history, and chemistry came flooding back. The time was up. Pencils down. I had a feeling that I had aced it, I knew it!

“Guys in the car had a mixture of reactions to the exam. While a few of my pals resigned themselves to having to take it again probably, I felt pretty good. I had a quiet excitement, a confidence that I had not expected. I felt butterflies as I got close to home, eager to burst through the door to share the good news with my folks, but especially Mom, she would be so proud! We pulled in and as I exited the car, I knew something was wrong.

“Dad was standing in the doorway with my Grandma, both looked very upset, in tears. Dad grabbed hold of me and said, “We lost your Mom this morning.” I was stunned. I didn’t cry, which made me feel mad at myself, was I so heartless that the death of my Mother didn’t move me to tears instantly?”

Watch for the rest of Chuck’s “HEART story” LATER TODAY! ❤