On December 11, 2008 our house caught on fire and we were displaced. My mother finally had all her kids back home and then we were forced to separate… Separation is something that we don’t like. We love being around each other and get on each others nerves when we are together for too long… I know its funny right?
Anyway, my mom, Donna, Monte’ and I are always use to Robert coming and going in the house. That chime on the alarm is always ringing, “Front Door Open” as he enters or exits. But now, I don’t see that chime as annoying but more so comforting knowing that he would be coming home. Being displaced caused us to stay in different locations. My brother stays with a friend while the rest of us stay with my auntie. We went from seeing Robert everyday to once or twice a week. Not one week has passed that we haven’t seen him. He would come over to Auntie’s house, take his shower, listen to Donna and I fuss at him, joke with him and catch up, play around with his nephew, shoot the breeze with his auntie and wait to suck up to his mom. Before he left he would kiss and hug us and tell us that he loved us. Every time he left he did that.
On February 13, 2009 Robert came to Aunties house, showered, got fussed at by his sisters, sucked up to his mom, told everybody he loved them and will see us in the morning. He was off to the club. He was suppose to pick up his mom the next morning, take her to the hairdresser, watch his nephew and chill with Des babe for V-day. He went to the club, got into a scuffle and hopped in the car with his friends to go home. While stopped at a stop light, a car pulled up to the passenger side, windows rolled down and proceeded to let off six shots into the side of the car. The first bullet shattered the front passenger window entering my brother’s head on the right and exiting on the left. He collapsed onto his friend’s lap and they rushed him to the hospital.
After being stabilized he was flown to another hospital that could handle his injuries better. After arriving at that hospital, he was prepped for surgery. The neurosurgeons spent two hours repairing and closing the damaged area. Forty minutes later we were able to see him.
During those two hours and forty minutes, prayer circles were formed and panic, heart ache, guilt, anger, hurt filled the hearts and minds of his loved ones. Emotions clouded the OR waiting room, everyone on edge waiting to hear the update on Rob’s condition. You may have heard laughter that masked the fear that dwelled within the pits of our stomachs. You may have seen smiles that hid tears. And you may have actually seen the tears that covered the strength that each person possessed to get through this.
The surgeon walked in and my heart dropped. His face was stoic, no indicator shown in his features that would have given me an inkling of a sign of his news. He said the surgery was complete and Rob was stable. He spoke so fast and I couldn’t grasp everything he said. All I knew was my brother was alive. He may not be the same as before but we will never know. He is alive… and that is all that matters.
The surgeon said it’s a possibility that he could be paralyzed; he can get pneumonia and a number of other things. But Robert is alive. He will make a full recovery. My father spoke this world into existence and because he has the power of the tongue I know I inherited it and I will speak my brother’s recovery into existence. I will speak that he will recover 100 %. I will speak that Robert will pick his mom up and take her to the hairdresser, he will watch his nephew, he will take Des Babe on her V-day date, he will fuss, joke and chill with his sisters, and he will shoot the breeze with his auntie.
My brother was my valentine this year. I spent my Valentines Day holding back tears, kissing my brothers arm and holding his hand, his right hand, as he squeezed it acknowledging my presence. I had no problem spending that time with him. He knew I had no plans and he gave me something to do. Always looking out for me…
Anyway, my mom, Donna, Monte’ and I are always use to Robert coming and going in the house. That chime on the alarm is always ringing, “Front Door Open” as he enters or exits. But now, I don’t see that chime as annoying but more so comforting knowing that he would be coming home. Being displaced caused us to stay in different locations. My brother stays with a friend while the rest of us stay with my auntie. We went from seeing Robert everyday to once or twice a week. Not one week has passed that we haven’t seen him. He would come over to Auntie’s house, take his shower, listen to Donna and I fuss at him, joke with him and catch up, play around with his nephew, shoot the breeze with his auntie and wait to suck up to his mom. Before he left he would kiss and hug us and tell us that he loved us. Every time he left he did that.
On February 13, 2009 Robert came to Aunties house, showered, got fussed at by his sisters, sucked up to his mom, told everybody he loved them and will see us in the morning. He was off to the club. He was suppose to pick up his mom the next morning, take her to the hairdresser, watch his nephew and chill with Des babe for V-day. He went to the club, got into a scuffle and hopped in the car with his friends to go home. While stopped at a stop light, a car pulled up to the passenger side, windows rolled down and proceeded to let off six shots into the side of the car. The first bullet shattered the front passenger window entering my brother’s head on the right and exiting on the left. He collapsed onto his friend’s lap and they rushed him to the hospital.
After being stabilized he was flown to another hospital that could handle his injuries better. After arriving at that hospital, he was prepped for surgery. The neurosurgeons spent two hours repairing and closing the damaged area. Forty minutes later we were able to see him.
During those two hours and forty minutes, prayer circles were formed and panic, heart ache, guilt, anger, hurt filled the hearts and minds of his loved ones. Emotions clouded the OR waiting room, everyone on edge waiting to hear the update on Rob’s condition. You may have heard laughter that masked the fear that dwelled within the pits of our stomachs. You may have seen smiles that hid tears. And you may have actually seen the tears that covered the strength that each person possessed to get through this.
The surgeon walked in and my heart dropped. His face was stoic, no indicator shown in his features that would have given me an inkling of a sign of his news. He said the surgery was complete and Rob was stable. He spoke so fast and I couldn’t grasp everything he said. All I knew was my brother was alive. He may not be the same as before but we will never know. He is alive… and that is all that matters.
The surgeon said it’s a possibility that he could be paralyzed; he can get pneumonia and a number of other things. But Robert is alive. He will make a full recovery. My father spoke this world into existence and because he has the power of the tongue I know I inherited it and I will speak my brother’s recovery into existence. I will speak that he will recover 100 %. I will speak that Robert will pick his mom up and take her to the hairdresser, he will watch his nephew, he will take Des Babe on her V-day date, he will fuss, joke and chill with his sisters, and he will shoot the breeze with his auntie.
My brother was my valentine this year. I spent my Valentines Day holding back tears, kissing my brothers arm and holding his hand, his right hand, as he squeezed it acknowledging my presence. I had no problem spending that time with him. He knew I had no plans and he gave me something to do. Always looking out for me…
I'm so choked up right now. I can't stop reading this post. There are so many things that we take for granted or fail to realize the positives behind them. There are incidences that can happen in one second that can change everything as we have come to know it. There are seasons of pain filled with stormy weather that will come with powerful winds that may seem to never cease. Besides the joy and laughter, these things are what life also has to bring. Even to that someone who brings you joy and laughter. However, I do believe that after every rain the sun shines and brings a brighter day.
ReplyDeleteRobert, baby, you just don't know how much you mean to people. From me, I just have so many words unspoken...
You know it's weird because after I got the message from Ashley I just had a feeling that something was wrong but it was gonna be ok. For some reason me and RPR Jr. whole relationship kept running through my mind. I was just thinking about how glad I was when you left for school cuz then I only had to fight your mom for him, and since she always worked it was a piece of cake...lmao! This one time she almost "caught" us and she asked him "have yall lost yall African loving mind", and he almost got a whoopen. The cookouts, the parties, the proms, the graduations... everything just rushed back. Though no longer together, he will always hold a special place in my heart and mind.
ReplyDeleteI just love my ex-future in laws because yall are so close and welcoming (to certain people). I believe all the love and faith from the family and friends will help pull him through.
Jarne,
ReplyDeleteThis is message is from my mother... She said,"I am always going to be the number one woman in his life and no one can ever replace that, nor compete for his attention. You never really had to fight me because you always sat on the steps...LOL!!! Thank you for your post and your comment. Still love you."