Posted August 5, 2011
2011 – More Truth, Tribute, The Eleventh Year: Captain Kevin Drue Donnelly
By: Monette Benoit, Kevin’s Sister, copyright protected.
Per my youngest (baby) brother prior to his death –at his request– details continue to be documented. I continue to listen.
Nora Ephron, writer, filmmaker, Sleepless in Seattle, Silkwood, Heartburn, Julie and Julia, and When Harry Met Sally… “Everything is copy.”
Our dad, a veteran, also diagnosed with hepatitis C, is entering hospice, soon. Too soon. Damn.
Mom is very sick – has gone to brink of leaving multiple times. Doctors “prepared” us with Mom in ICU – multiple times. Dad took care of Mom, until he could not. Often, I drive from a hospital to another location – to visit parents. Damn.
One day it was damp, rainy, and the ICU was freezing. I sat on a small perch in her cubicle, designed for a hamster – and was watching monitors.
Mom woke, looked at me, and said, clear-voice, “…I decided to stay because your father can’t cook. He won’t be able to take care of himself, so I’m staying,” said my mom, Kevin’s Mom, married 57 years.
Doctors, staff –all were a little bug-eyed (my opinion) when I shared Mom’s verbatim words – as few words were spoken then.
To date, August 5, 2011, she is unable to say Kevin’s name – not once – since August 5, 2000. Not. Once.
“Why? I gave him my Word.” Damn.
Kevin’s Sister,
Monette Benoit
HV with HCV = Helping Veterans and Families with Hep C
One Salute At A Time
Copyright protected.