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Genre: Memoir
Word Count: 100
PATERNAL HEART
For as long as I can remember Dad took certain girls under his wing wherever he worked. It’s not like he preyed on young women. He simply saw a need and answered the call.
I accepted them as friends and sisters. One of them still is. She introduced me to her brother. I married him.
“Donna’s daddy passed away when she was a little girl,” said Dad. “She says I’ve filled her dad-shaped void.”
I’ll never forget the devastating phone call in the middle of the night. A drunk driver snuffed out seventeen-year-old Donna’s life and shattered my father’s heart.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I’m guessing this is a true story, and one that captures a more innocent age
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Yes, Neil, It’s a true story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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To lose a teenage daughter, even an unofficially adopted one, must be awful. And it must have been pretty bad for you to lose an unofficial sister. Hugs, Rochelle.
Shalom
Penny xx
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Dear Penny,
It was the first funeral I remember attending, and for it to be for someone so young. There were three other kids in the accident. A boy who also died, a girl who was never the same and the boy driving. The latter two were also my dad’s kids. It was hard to watch my father go through that. Thank you for the hugs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad vision of how hard life can be, I can only hope that those who leave this planet before their time, travel to a better realm. As I have known far to many family and friends and young people denied their dreams.
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Dear Michael,
There are too many stories like this, aren’t there. No parent should have to outlive their child. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your dad sounds like a phenomenal man. I wish there were more like this. I hope his heart remained open after the tragic death? Fantastic story, Rochelle.
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Dear Tanille,
Dad’s still remembered fondly by his former employees–girls and boys. Definitely his legacy. His heart did remain open after the accident. My sister in law came into our lives afterword. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great legacy to leave behind.
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Dear Rochelle,
What a heartbreaking story. Nothing worse than when a young life is snuffed out too soon in such a manner.
Shalom and lotsa warm hugs,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Funny, that’s pretty much what I remember Dad saying at the time…a young life snuffed out too soon. ;( Thank you for your warm comments.
Shalom and lotsa comforting hugs,
Rochelle
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It’s never right when that happens.
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What a sad story. Well-penned, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Mason.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very sad story. And reading an earlier comment I see that it was a car full of kids, so quite a terrible tragedy for the town.
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Dear Trent,
It was tragic. I felt sorry for the young man who was driving. Although it clearly wasn’t his fault, he was a sensitive soul who still blamed himself. He was thrown from the car and lost an ear (that was reattached). Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a heartwrenching story. I can’t imagine how your father must have felt. I agree with you that it must have been tough for the driver too. Here in Toronto, a 16 year old lost control of a car he was driving and killed two children–a brother and sister who were playing in their driveway. The boy died first and then some time after the girl died in hospital. My heart is still breaking for their parents. To lose one child is horrendous but to lose two…
Thanks for sharing this painful memory. Sending hugs your way.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
My Dad loved his kids. It was a tough time for him. I can’t imagine losing a child at all. I can’t imagine the guilt one would have after hitting and killing a child. Thank you for hugs. Sending many more back to you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a heartbreaking story, yet we know this happens and continues to happen today.
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Dear Claire,
Yes it happens over and over again like a recurring nightmare. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😦
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I remember your stories about these kids. It affected all the co-workers there as well. Life isn’t always fair.
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Dear Jan,
It happened a few months before we met I believe. It shook everyone at the restaurant. Not fair at all.
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So tragic for everyone Rochelle. I hope they caught them.
Here’s my effort this week
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Dear Di,
I don’t recall if the drunk driver was injured, but I believe he was caught. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hard to “like” this one. Drunk driving enrages me. To choose to drink and drive,
IMO, is just as much murder as to aim and shoot a gun at a person.
This must have been a hard one for you to write, Rochelle.
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I agree. Drunk driving should be held equivalent to murder for all the lives it destroys.
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Yes, Bernadette. In the wrong hands a car is as lethal as a gun.
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Dear Linda,
And the disease goes merrily on, doesn’t it? What makes people think they can drive drunk or text while driving is beyond me. They are every bit as dangerous as mass shooters.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Richly textured story with a series of fortunate and unfortunate events that touched your heart. My admiration goes out to your dad and my sorrow for Donna’s untimely death by a drunken driver.
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Dear Lisa,
It was very sad for Donna’s mom who had lost her husband and then her only child. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, so sorry to hear Donna’s mom also lost her husband 😦
Shalom,
Lisa
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Very hearwrenching story, made all the more agonising as it is a real incident.
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Dear Neel,
Although it happened over 50 years ago, the memory is clear and the sadness prevails. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What started as such a heartwarming story took an agonising turn in your last few words. Thank you for sharing this with us Rochelle.
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Thank you for your affirming comment, Keith.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is incredibly sad. But I want to add what an incredible man your dad (?) was for supporting the children like that. If you give love, you always risk pain, but it’s worth it. I think today that wouldn’t be possible any more.
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Dear Gabi,
Sadly Dad might’ve been sued for sexual harassment somewhere along the line if it were today. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Unfortunately it still happens too often. Your Dad could never possibly have expected anything like that
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Dear Larry,
It’s one of those things no one ever sees coming. ;(
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My dad was like that. As a kid, there were always teenagers hanging around all the way through my younger brother’s friends coming to see him. Part of it was that he would do anything for anybody. Part of it was he refused to grow up. Fortunately, nothing as heartbreaking as this ever happened. A tragic tale, Rochelle.
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Dear Nobbin,
Dad made work fun for his adolescent employees. This was one of the biggest heartbreaks of his life, I think. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wrenching story, Rochelle. That’s exactly how it is, too.
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Dear Josh,
It is that way too often. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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well written story. it tugs at the heartstrings in more ways than one.
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Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hate these drunk drivers.
They have killed so many innocent people…
Touching story, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Anita.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ooohhh, so sad.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Sad indeed, Ronda. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great portrayal, both of a lovely man and a heartbreaking tragedy. such a living story, Rochelle. I’m guessing it’s true?
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Dear Jenne,
Not a lick of fiction in this one. All true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a tragic story. And so true.
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Thank you, Athling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How dreadful – unofficial family are just as precious.
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Dear Liz,
So true. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How terribly sad. Your family must’ve been devastated.
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Dear Susan,
It was a terrible time. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sad. Such tragedies ripple out into the community. Your father sounds like an incredible person.
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Dear Lorraine,
My dad had a very sweet and caring side. I miss him. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I loved how you spun this tale.
But the last line was like a punch in the gut. Such tragedies do happen.
You haven’t changed much – the way you looked as a kid. That impish pixie look! ❤
Love,
Natasha
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Dear Natasha,
Those tragedies never end, do they? Thank you so much for your sweet words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hugs ❤
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It’s like darkness proceeding light and vice-versa. That’s life for us.
Glad to be in touch Rochelle. Be well.
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What a heartbreaking story. Such a reminder how dangerous driving can be. But then, nothing can get her back either.
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Dear Anne,
If Donna had lived she’d be pushing 70. As it is she’ll always be seventeen. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbroken is an understatement.
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Indeed, James. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking story. Irresponsible and dangerous driving can have so many terrible consequences. I can’t even imagine how your father must have felt upon hearing the news.
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Dear Shweta,
My dad took it very hard. So many idiots never quite get the message about drinking and driving, do they? Now we’ve added texting and driving to the mix. Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So many idiots out there! Texting and driving is just the worst. Hopefully more lives won’t be lost due to such people.
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What a terrible, terrible, loss that was. For her. For him. For you. For life.
Well told, Rochelle, as always.
xoxo
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Thank you for your kind and affirming words. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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XOXO my pleasure and … well deserved!
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Rochelle,
I felt your tears as you were writing this, so powerfully told and tragically lived. May God comfort you.
~🕊Dora
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Thank you for your kind words, Dora. They mean a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh no! This is so sad. What a great dad though. Sharing dadness to those without. What a big heart!
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Dear Laurie,
He did have a big heart and he was taken from us too soon as well. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking, Rochelle. It must have been hard for you to write.
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