Pole with a story...

By loweho written 5/3/06 7:46 AM, published 5/3/06 7:46 AM
 I've been sick the last couple days. But I had to go to the clinic yesterday so I was out and about.  Didn't take many pics but here are a couple.  
  The first was a photo of opportunity, nearly, Barb was driving, and there was a flatbed Popup Linktow truck in in front of us and he didn't have the car on back chained down.  He had the chains on, just didn't tighten them. When went across the railroad tracks the car started hopping and almost hopped off the side.  I was ready, if it went off I was going to jump out and take pics but he seen it when he stopped at the light and tightened the chains down to hold it on, dang it!
  The second is an entry in the emotion challenge, the emotion is mine though. This innocuous looking utility pole, Popup Link#308 260 , about 2 miles down the road from our house, killed my Dad. Well, actually, not wearing a seat belt killed him. He slid on a slick spot hit this pole, didn't even hit it hard enough to damage it.  When he hit the pole he flew into the steering wheel and it split the aortic artery lengthwise and before they could get an expert surgeon from Indy, he died.
  But everytime we go into town we pass this pole and it always reminds me of that Saturday afternoon, November 11, 1995.  I had the boys at high school for basketball practice. When Barb called, and said they took my Dad to the hospital, he'd been in a wreck, she didn't know how bad it was, but he was consciuos and talking.  Not expecting anything real bad, I pulled one of the coaches off to the side explained and told him I'd try to get back to practice but if I wasn't to tell the boys to go home with their cousin, he was on the team also.
  Well, when I got there everyone in the family is there, he's in the ER and they are letting us go into see him. He is awake and talking but he's bad and he knows it's bad. One side of his face, neck and chest is horribly swollen from the blood leak. The artery is split lengthwise so the doctors are afraid it will rupture and he'll die if they operate. They've sent for a guy in Indy who'd done this before but he doesn't get there in time they have to operate and he dies.  When we left the hospital all the coaches were there and the boys and some of the players and their parents. Everybody knows everybody in West Terre Haute and my dad knew everyone.  After my mom died, he spent all his spare time at local sporting events and he worked nights as a watchman at the newspaper and every morning he'd take papers around to people he knew.
   The funeral was the biggest thing I'd ever seen, there were close to 500 people there, overflowed both sides the funeral home and people were waiting outside in the cold.  He worked at the university for about 25 years before retiring and the president, and all the coaches were there. He got flowers from Larry Bird and his brother. A lot of the old players at ISU came. All of the area high school coaches came. Tons of people I didn't know.  He always wore ISU logo clothing, hats, shirts, sweaters, etc. so we decided to bury him with his ISU baseball cap... he was friends with Coach Warn.  We couldn't find it. So, I went to ISU and seen coach Warn and asked him if I could buy an old baseball cap since it wasn't baseball season. He said hang on. Well, when he came back he had a cap, shirt, and sweater and with him was the athletic director and football and basketball coaches. They loaded me down with stuff and we put all of it in his casket.  Amazingly, they even had an article in paper about his death. We'd had no idea that so many people knew, let alone, cared about him.
  Sorry for this boring,(hence the thumbnail) long-winded eulogy of sorts. At least, you don't have a lot of pics to look at.


 
  • Buccaneer Bruce
    There's no need to apologize for this story Loweho. Your father was obviously a generous, well loved man. He'd be proud to know that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Thank you for sharing with us.

  • Pyro43
    Thank you for the moving story. I'm sorry you had to lose your dad in the manner that you did. I know from experience that you still miss him very much. I know I would love to be able to talk with my dad once again and am sure you feel the same.

    - Mmmmmm... Multiplicative


  • Beholden
    Thank you for sharing this warm and heartbreaking story. Your story moved me, you are always so funny and full of life, it was nice to see your sensitive side as well. God bless.

    - ummmm


  • bugaboo
    I've got tears in my eyes right now, that is a sad/wonderful story about someone who was very loved, not only by you but by a whole community. It is a beautiful tribute to someone you love. I know he would appreciate this eulogy, as we do.

  • Twinsmeme
    Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story with us. He must of been one heck of a guy. I also know from experience that you will always miss him. I have missed my Dad for 15 years, it seem not a day goes by I don't think of him. He was my best friend. God bless you.

  • jojames1
    Glad you have such fond memories of a horrible situation. And I wish that damn truck would've fallen off the truck, too!

  • TURBO
    I am moved and touched by your story;what a wonderful tribute to him with all those people showing up at his funeral. This was not at all a boring story, Don. It just shows another part of you: that soft, vulneralbe spot called your heart. Such a warm story. Sad to hear your'e not feeling well... I look forward to more photos soon...take care, my friend.

    - Say what ?


  • Anonymous Hero
    Very moving story....I am so sorry for your loss. Wonderful to see there were so many people that saw the same man you did.

  • JustPeachy
    Thanks for the story Lowe. No fair making me cry when I'm sick. Hope you didn't catch my virus. Are you running updated virus software?

    - Good Kitty No More


  • RobinG
    Thanks for sharing your tribute to your father with us. He sounds like a wonderful person. Sorry for your loss. I hope you are feeling better. :o)

  • Fabulos
    Thank you for sharing your story. It is amazing how the story metamorphosed the picture of the pole. Has a completely different meaning now. Sorry for your loss. I am sure, as with my father, it seems only like yesterday.

    - Hmmm....


  • mima
    I went, huh? when I looked at the pole foto, till I read your story. I am sorry for your loss (I lost my mom last year to a long illness), so I am still becoming aware of my loss and I feel compassion for the passing of your pa. You have painted a beautiful picture of your dad's life, what a wonderful legacy he left. To be well thought of and loved by everyone. We should all be so blessed to depart the earth leaving behind a life well lived. P/S love your 'boring' thumbnail

  • KayN
    I didn't expect to see this side of you when I first started reading.....I know about losing your dad; mine's been gone for over 20 years and it still hurts. Thanks for the look into what was your father's wonderful life. To be that well thought about says something about a person. God Bless.

    - Ms.N


  • bullshoalsview
    Thanks for sharing your story about your Dad. Sounds like he was a remarkable man, and I am sorry for your loss.

    - Run Bubba Run!


  • ROCKADEE
    Thanks For Sharing This Very Touching Story, Don....So Sorry For Your Loss, God Bless!!

    - NATURE RULES!!!


  • loweho
    Yeah, Cherish, I have it. I will scan it and maybe post it next time, I should have thought of that. Been taking drugs for my sinuses. Genealogy is another hobby of mine so I keep copies of everyones obits and anything of note. I have folders on just aobut everyone in the family.

    - Fickle Finger of F8


  • Jump1ok
    When I first began reading this post I laughed at the fact of how we all seem to become schadenfreude to some extent when we hold a camera. Then I read on and shared the sorrow you experienced upon the loss of your father. I can really relate to how certain places bring the onslaught of memories which are both wonderful and sad. Thankyou for such a heartfelt story.

    - Misunderstood


  • loweho
    Damn, jump, I had to look that word up. My vocabulary is up one!

    - Fickle Finger of F8


  • Penny
    Very moving story Lowe.

    - Smile


  • jojames1
    schadenfreude = German for Rubber-necking??

  • Birdie
    Lovely tribute to your father.

  • BEARPHOTO
    That pole is a painful reminder. I'm glad you are able to share and celebrate your dad's memories. I lost my son,Britt, in a paragliding accident 2 yrs ago. He was high adventure and celebrated life everyday. The service was at the base of Alpine Meadows, where Britt ski patrolled in Tahoe City, Ca. Twelve hundred of his friends showed up to honor and do the Irish wake thing. I became a spoke in the wheel of his incredible life. We heal the best we can, and move on but never forget....Bear

  • Pablo57
    Thanks for sharing. Wonderful story.

  • Wildman
    Your Dad was a great guy! Sorry you didn't have him longer in your life. Thanks for sharing this emotional post!

  • Blizzard
    I never knew your dad personally. He must have been great.....you turned out to be such a wonderful, lovable ape. :) He would be proud of you, I know I am. Thank you for sharing.

    - I want to pull your teeth


  • BusyB1965
    Beautiful tribute about your dad...and can tell you that I am sitting here right now with tears streaming now my face....am glad that you were able to see him before he died, so many times that does not happen.....From your story your dad was a well liked and generous person...something I feel that also is you......

    - Blessings


  • lyzard9977
    Your father sounded like a terrific man, I wish I had an opportunity to meet him. I love long stories!

    - Spring is in the air


  • austinspace
    He was a good man, Loweho...and you are too.

    - here and there


  • Pat Rutherford
    So sorry for your loss. He seemed like a very well-loved man. Thanks for the post. Made me cry and remember my brother's passing 7 years ago. He was only 35 and died of cancer. But we can hang onto all those wonderful memories. I, too, am the family historian and made a scrapbook of his life for his son who was only 3 at the time of his passing. That helped me heal more than anything. God bless you Lowe....

    - GallivantingPhotographer


  • loweho
    I want to thank everyone for the kind thoughts. I wasn't expecting this kind of a response. I was more than anything just feeling melancholy from being sick and stuck at home. But it reinforces the main reasons I "stuck" here and not a lot of other places I've visited, the great group of kind, caring, and loving people who also happen to be great photographers. Technical skill aside, you all have one of the core qualities I think an artist needs... sensitivity. I'll just thank you... before I get verklempt!

    - Fickle Finger of F8


  • Jump1ok
    loweho said verklempt. are you a Jewish ape? I must agree with you on the variety of people who make this site what it is. They are a kind, caring, and sensitive group of TALENTED people.

    - Misunderstood


  • loweho
    I got it from Saturday Night Live, Cherish! I didn't even know it was a real word!!!

    - Fickle Finger of F8


  • debora
    Cup of coffee in hand...sitting at the computer yesterday morning...read your post. Your history in words struck an emotional chord with me. It put me in check. It made me appreciate what I have...instead of what I do not. Thank you. I am sorry about your loss - we can only hope he was rewarded by going to an even greater place!

  • Artistico
    I know the feeling. My father, who introduced me to the art of photography, passed away in June 9, 1995. Lung cancer took him away. He was more than a father to me. He was my mentor, ... and my best friend. Photography has aways been our common ground, and I feel his presence in every frame I shoot. I am writing a book about photography, which I am dedicating to him.

    - LAUGH WITH ME!


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