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Andrew M. Ball, MS, PT -> An Unexpected Loss (January 23, 2001 2:53:00 AM)
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At 7:25 in the morning of January 21, 2001. Heather Jackola, the 16 year old daughter of my office manager was killed in a car accident. What's worse is that her mother Donna, and her younger brother Eric, were about 5 minutes behind her and among the first on the scene.
Heather was the classic "good kid." She was involved in her community by donating her time to various organizations, and she did very well academically. Cut short yesterday morning was her dream of becoming a rehabilitation specialist for animals. A Veterinarian.
Over the course of my years as a physical therapist, and as the son of a prominent Baltimore healthcare administrator, I've seen children loose battles with chronic illness and genetic conditions. No less tragic, but certainly a slower and more gradual course through the grieving process. Maybe it's for that reason that I'm having such an extraordinarily difficult time dealing emotionally with this week's events. This was sudden, this was unexpected, this was the worst nightmare of any parent. I’m not sure why I felt the need to include all of you in my grieving process, but I thank you all for listening.
Perhaps reading this posting will inspire all of you to say all of those “things left unspoken,” to the people that truly mean something to you in your own life. Life is truly precious, and can be over in an instant. In your personal lives, and in your professional lives, make the most of every moment.
Respectfully,
Andrew M. Ball, MS, MBA, PT
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