Please help me get through this day.

[catpower2000]

An hour ago I got a phone call here at work. My aide, Emily, was in a car accident last night and died. She was 19 years old. She was a sociology major in college. She was smart, funny, and a great help to me here. She was just here last night, until 7 with me.

I don't know what to think. I'm in shock. I can't stop crying. Please help me make it through this day of work.

Cat

[Corgigal]

1. I know Im new here

Cat but all I can say is that I'm sorry. Can you leave your workplace today? You might want to take some time to love yourself today in honor of your friend.

[catpower2000]

6. I can't leave. We are all here dealing with it.

Also, I'm doing her job as well as mine. (Neither very well.)

Cat

[disgruntella]

2. a tragic loss

That is sad news. My sympathies to you and Emily's family. I hope the day goes quick for you so you can have some time to grieve.

[bloom]

3. I'm very sorry

can you take the day off?

:(

[GOPisEvil]

4. Oh, that's horrible...

...we'll do what we can.

[Rainbowreflect]

5. I am so sorry.

The shock of such a sudden death in someone so young, I cannot even imagine. (((((((((Catpower))))))))
Take care of yourself.

[Sal316]

7. Oh, Cat!

You know we're here for you!

:loveya:

Christian

[CO Liberal]

8. Take It 15 Minutes At a Time

If you can make it through that 15 minnutes, then go on to the next 15.

I'm so sorry to hear about Emily, and cannot imagine the grief at your workplace today. As a Reiki Master, I'm sending positive energy your way.

Wayne
(CO Liberal)

[supernova]

9. Oh, so sorry CP

I'm sure she was a lovely, talented young woman.

((((CP))))

If you can, try to leave work early and do something kind for yourself and to honor her in some small way. It always hurts more when a young person dies suddenly.

Depending on what the family wants, you can also send flowers from the office.

[Pale Blue Dot]

10. Cat - this happened to me a few months ago

One of my employees had a massive heart attack on his way home from work. He was younger than I am, and had 2 small daughters. It ripped me apart.

My best advice to you is don't sit on your feelings. At my store, we created a board on which anyone could place their memories of my employee. I also established a memorial fund to help his children. But it still took everyone quite some time to get over it.

I know how tough this is. My heart goes out of you and the girl's family. Good luck to you.

[papau]

11. My prayers are with you and your aide and her family

I have gone to a nearby Church for an hour of quiet and prayer when death has entered my life. For me, this helps a lot.

Hang in there Cat.

[ProfessorGAC]

12. That's A Shame Cat

Just pipe in anytime to get your mind on something else. We'll be there.
The Professor

[catmandu57]

13. I'm sorry

I'll keep you in my thoughts today. Take time to remember the good things, today and in the coming days.

[molly]

14. I'm so sorry!

keep yourself busy and let yourself grieve.

[rock]

15. My condolences

Have you got a cat to share it with? They are great for sharing grief.

[buddhamama]

16. sending (((hugs))) Cat

we're here for you. whatever you need.

my condolances to family and friends.

i'm very sad about this.reminds me of friends lost,who were young and had so much going for them. Emily reminds me of them.

may she be in peace

[StaggerLee]

17. Such a tragedy Cat

I can only imagine what you are going through right now.
Please find comfort in knowing that we are here for you.




Marcos-

[PopSixSquish]

18. I'm Very Sorry to Hear This

You and your co-workers are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care of yourself and each other.

:loveya:

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

19. You all are in my heart...

my condolences, Cat. She sounded like a great person, I hope you can make it through alright today. peace.

maggie

[SoCalDem]

20. It's always so sad when someone that young dies in such a needless way

There is no way to make any sense of it.:( When my best friend's 24 yr old son was killed last year (also a car accident), it just sends the message even stronger... the message: enjoy every day that you have, you never know when it's your "turn".. How awful for her family too..

:(

[UrbScotty]

21. My deepest and most sincere condolences.

As you may know, my dog died of a brief illness in June. But, of course, that is hardly anything compared to losing an aide in something like that. I can hardly imagine what you are probably going through.

[catzies]

22. ((HUG)) for Cat and for Emily's family

Hope that the love everyone had for Emily will help you all get through this tragedy.

[catpower2000]

23. Thank you all for your support.

Minute by minute, as you all suggested, I am getting through this day. I'm sure not getting any work done, but the phones are getting answered and the patients are getting scheduled and that's about all they're going to get out of me today.

The therapists keep coming to me and telling me they can't concentrate on their patients, shouldn't we close? Well, yes we should, but our executive director won't let us, so we're all still here, limping through.

Thank you again, your kind words are really helping me. Love you all,

Cat

[Bunny]

24. Oh My Gosh Cat

I am so sorry. What a tragic loss. Do you know her family at all? This must be so difficult. Take care of yourself. bunnyj

[Aristus]

25. ((((((((((CatPower2000)))))))))) There's a big hug for you, Cat.

I don't know what else to do. And I can't find the right words to say. I'm sorry for your loss. God Bless.

[Crewleader]

26. I'm so sorry to hear of this....

it's hardest when so unexpected and a good friend too.

You're in my prays (((sweet cat-hugs))) :loveya:

[short bus president]

27. Sorry to hear it, Cat

Misery tends to seek out a light-hearted day like yesterday and do its damnedest to clobber positivity into the ground. I had a similar experience many years ago, and it still hurts to think about it now.

Sorry I don't have an icon handy for "hug and pat on the back," but if it helps any, <hug> <pat, pat>. Things won't suck so bad forever.

-sbp

[salin]

28. At a loss for words

(((((((catpower)))))) My thoughts are with you -and with her family and all close to her. What a tragedy.

[underpants]

29. Wow I am really sorry to hear that

That must be very rough.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ sending you good thoughts.

[Lars39]

30. My heart goes out to you,

her family and friends. {{{{{catpower2000}}}}}

[cmd]

31. More hugs for catpower

(((((for you,cat)))))) Share them around the office. I'm so sorry.
cmd

[KCDem]

32. God, how sad.

Wow, I'm so sorry for Emily, her friends, family, and colleagues. Take care of yourelf, Cat!

[Ramsey]

33. My condolences

Dear cat, there seems nothing more tragic than such a pointless and premature death of such a bright light. I know there can be no satisfactory explanation. You just need to feel your grief and think of the good times you had with Emily. Maybe there is some comfort you can offer her family and help each other get through this terrible time.

[Mandate My Ass]

34. I'm so sorry to hear that

What a tragic loss. I think you may just have to go with the crying and grieving for now. What a shock.

Something similar happened in my workplace recently and we finally gave up work and sat around telling stories about our coworker. It was very helpful but that was a luxury many workplaces can't afford. They also brought in grief counselors the next day which was helpful to many. Talk through it if you can.

I hope all the grieving can find peace somehow.

[Exultant Democracy]

35. Hang in there...

I almost think that it is a good thing that you are all staying at work, together. You should try to get everyone to do something kind, together, for Emily's family.

[inthecorneroverhere]

36. sorry to hear -

My condolences go out to you. You were blessed in being able to talk to her last night.

[catpower2000]

Thank you all again.

Thank God, our executive director is allowing us to close early, so we cancelled our late afternoon and evening patients, and our last patient is at 3:00, then we get to go home and deal with this. As much as we'd like to sit around and talk about it (as many of you suggested, and it's a good suggestion) we can't, because we have patients to treat. Once we realy start talking about it, we're going to lose it and not be able to put it back together, and not be able to treat patients. So we're just walking around like zombies, waiting for it all to be over.

Thank you all again for your kind words and support. You've really helped me today. Thanks again, love you all very much,

Cat

[playahata1]

37. ((((((((((HUG!))))))))))))) Catherine.

Hang in there. Peace.

[ScreamingMeemie]

38. Cat, I can only imagine what you are going through, and I can't really do

that even. What a shock for you. I am so very sorry, and can only hope you get through this painful day swiftly. Just exist for right now, everything else will fall in later on.

Take good care of yourself, Laura

[Individualist]

39. I'm so sorry, catpower

My thoughts will be with you through the rest of this day and the days to come.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

40. Cat , I am so sorry to hear this

I am really speechless. I do pray for peace for you, her family and all she left behind. (((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))

[rustydog]

41. I am so sorry

In my thoughts and my most heartfelt sympathy to the victims family.

[KeepHopeAlive]

42. How very sad, Cat

May you, her family and all her friends find a peaceful way through this tragic loss of a young spirit.

Hugs to you Cat.

[Ohio Dem]

43. I hate to hear that, Cat.

I never know what to say - I don't express myself that well, but I'm sorry to hear of this.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

44. ~hugggggggggs~

I'm so sorry, Catpower...

Please know I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[PittPoliSci]

45. i'm very sorry...

my deepest sympathies.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

46. Catpower...

You have my sincere and heartfelt thoughts, prayers, sympathies and condolences on your tragic loss. I'm so sorry

[indigo32]

47. Very sorry to hear that

My thoughts are with you and her loved ones.

[soleft]

48. Just saw this Cat, wishing you strength and comfort

[REP]

49. I Am So Sorry

That's so terrible. I wish I knew what to say. You have my best wishes and sympathies.

[Ellen Forradalom]

50. Oh my God

This is tragic. I'm so sorry about your loss.

[Lady Freedom]

51. ***************

I wish I had a cute saying or a funny joke to make the pain go away. I don't know what to say really. My heart cries with you. The pain of loseing one so young can hurt to no end. But you must keep going for her. She would not wish you so much pain. Remember her love and she will always be with you.

[AlienGirl]

52. Oh, no!

I'm so sorry to hear that. :-( A big (((((HUG))))) to you.

Tucker

[nini]

53. big hugs to you catpower.... sorry for this

how tragic.... breaks my heart to hear these stories.

I hope all of you can somehow get through this


:loveya:

[mecca]

54. sorry to hear

you really should take time off work. Best wishes!

[commander bunnypants]

55. CaT Power

I dont live very far from you and I have been following the story. I dont know what to say. So I am sending you one big cyberhug

DEMMAN

[TEXASYANKEE]

56. Hugs.

I'm with you in spirit, Cat. Take care.

[catpower2000]

57. Update:

So, we found out more about what happened. Those of you who live in the Virginia area have seen it on the news. Emily was struck from behind by a speeding tractor trailor, which went over her car and smashed into the truck in front of her. I pray to God that she was killed on impact, because I can't imagine how terrifying it would have been for her, and how painful. The driver of the truck has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, and will live with that image over and over again in his head until the day he dies.

Knowing what happened in the accident, I think, makes it worse, because it's so horrible and scary, and she was such a sweet and wonderful girl, that I hate to think of her being in so much pain or being so afraid. I pray it was over quickly.

I am crying right now typing these words. The funeral is Monday, and I cannot even imagine the pain her family is going through right now. I am afraid to see them, and I don't want to go, and yet I am so glad I'm going. Does that make sense?

Thank you all for your support and kind words. I am trying to take them into my heart and feel better. I love you all so much, thank you.

Cat

[blondeatlast]

59. Cat, again, so sorry.

Please do go to the funeral; it will be a great honor to her memory. Please send her family our love, and make sure you take some for yourself.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

64. I Am So Sorry, Cat

You are in my thoughts. I have no other words, I'm afraid. Sometimes, words alone cannot suffice.

My best to you and Emily's loved ones.

DTH

[blondeatlast]

58. Oh, dear CatPower (((cp)))

I'm so sorry. We love you and take care of yourself.

Laurel

[Darranar]

60. I'm sorry Cat!

My condolences to you and her family.

[geniph]

61. That is dreadful, cat

words don't adequately express what I feel at a time like this. It just shouldn't happen like that, it just shouldn't. I am so sorry.

Please give yourself permission to grieve. My condolences to Emily's family and friends.

[deek]

62. peace

So sorry to hear about your tragedy.

[noiretextatique]

63. ((((((catpower2000)))))))))

damn...that's a real shame. my condolences to you, and i will pray for Emily and her family. what a tragedy.

[Darth_Kitten]

65. Please look after yourself...

I'm so sorry for what you are going through.

[blondeatlast]

66. KIck. Kick.

:kick:

[Nikia]

67. I'm sorry

My thoughts are with you, your coworkers, and Emily's family.

[AWD]

68. I just saw this thread

..and I'm sorry I joined it late.

Do NOT be alone if you can help it. Invite anybody you can over to be with you. It doesn't matter if you just sit there...just have a friend over to be there for company.

I'm very sorry.