The Day Time Stopped


February 17, 2020 was the Day Time Stopped.
I've struggled for words ever since. 

The morning was foggy.  
So foggy I couldn't see across the cove.
So foggy that Facebook friends were commenting that it was
the thickest fog they'd ever seen.
Instead of "walking on little cat feet," this fog landed like thick concrete.

The phone rang.
My sister said there had been a car accident.
Our parents were injured.
We raced to the hospital in Charlotte.

Our daddy died that evening.
Our mama died two days later, on the 19th.

Time Stopped.
Nothing will ever be the same again.

*****
The first time we walked back into their house, everything was waiting.



The chicken waited to welcome them back home.




Daddy's lift chair waited for him to come sit back down.



Mama's books and crossword puzzles waited for her to pick them back up.



Breakfast dishes waited to be washed.




Mama's earrings and "Charlie" perfume waited to be worn.




Daddy's Tyson cap waited to be put on his head.



Daddy's jeans hung on the hook, belt still threaded through the loops,
waiting to be worn, waiting to go to work. 


His Veterans Day recognition from church, displayed proudly,
waiting to be acknowledged.



Her piano waited for her fingers to touch the keys;
her hymnal opened to the last hymn she played.


***

We all wait for our hearts to mend.

We are still waiting.

***

We watched a pair of cardinals, out in the driveway.
They seemed to be looking in at us, as we looked out at them.
Maybe they are messengers. 



If ever we experienced infinite love,
it was the love our parents.
They may be gone from us physically, 
but we feel their love in little ways, every single day.


Charles Haskell Tarlton and Annette Caudle Tarlton
lived beautiful lives. 

If everyone had parents like we did,
I believe the world would be in a much better shape. 

The clock still turns,
the sun still rises and sets.
In a part of my heart, the time remains at a standstill.

Yet, we must continue their legacy to 
"Walk beautifully, Talk beautifully, Live beautifully."

***




 

Comments

Lisa Davis said…
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful words and a heartfelt message!
August 12, 2020 at 7:04 PM
David Waters said…
If you could shop for your inlaws, you'd choose Haskell and Annette. Tgey made and raised the best human Ive ever met. They were your biggest cheerleader and the biggest comment I've ever received was your daddy telling me that he and Annette were happy that we'd met and were making a life together ❤.
August 12, 2020 at 7:22 PM
Heidi Durham said…
This made me cry in a beautiful way. I know that I would have loved your parents.
August 12, 2020 at 7:56 PM
Unknown said…
Made me tearful too. Don't think we will ever stop missing them...I know Peachland will never be the same. How many hours have I sat and listened as Annette played the piano - I always requested to hear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvFH_6DNRCY Years later I used "Clair de Lune" as Meditation music to teach meditation and metaphysics.

We loved you, Annette and Haskell! Nancy
August 15, 2020 at 6:14 PM
Leeza said…
This was such a sweet piece of writing that perfectly captured that day and what a hole that left in our hearts and minds.
August 18, 2020 at 2:04 PM
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