Another memory for Ross

[YanmarFever]

Richard
I have been shot with a bow & arrow before by some smart a...girl in the park when I was just 12 yrs. old.
I was on the merrygoround when whamo I didnt know what hit me !
I ran home almost passing out from a loss of blood
The arrow stuck in my forehead & glided along my scalp
until it stopped, it did not penetrate my skull (angle shot). I required 12 stitches (that was all) and sent home
The police did nothing to her because her father was some city big wig.
I had a head ache for 2 weeks and almost lost my life
I will always remember that day as long as I live.

My friend pointed an (empty) .22 at me later in life just joking around. And I took it from him and threw it out his 2 story bedroom window.
when it hit the cement it went off kaboom and his father gave him the licking of his life.
The moral of this story is that kids get caught up in the moment and do stupid things.
Im really sorry that incident happened I will pray for your family & all involved, that God will comfort you thru this ordeal
May peace be your cloak
Ernie , in Oregon <><

 

[dmccarty]

Richard,

I could not find anything on the Atlanta Journal Constitution site
either. That really suprised me.

I can't remember the news page I found but I think I got there
from Yahoo.

I tried again and came up with this from Macon.
www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/6977263.htm

This is NOT the link I found yesterday. This article had a bit
more info anyway.

Later,
Dan

 

[Richard]

Thank you for sharing that with me. I guess I may have been a touch more graphic than maybe necessary (when compared to the article). /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

If so, and anyone was offended, I apologize.


"semi update"

Without getting into all the details that simply make me angry with a industry that I think tries to "help" at a worst possible time in someones lifetime, the funeral expenses are somewhere around $18,000. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Like most working couples with 3 kids in school, the family doens't happen to have 18k sitting around just waiting to be devoured by the funeral industry, so this is also putting quite a financial hiccup on the family.

We are all trying to chip in as we can, and had a memorial fund started to help defray expenses. In the initial shock of it all, the father declined a memorial fund. It was me that talked to my sister and explained it all and then I got with the funeral home to help set it up.

The unconfirmed rumor in the family is there might have been a 5k insurance policy on Ross. If so, it will be a very welcome surprise. There are still some questions as to if it was still in effect, or if it was paid up and terminated upon his 18th birthday. (fingers crossed)

Found out today, my sister & brother in law are STILL not staying at the house. It's just too difficult for him. They are staying at his brothers. They have driven by and went to the house after the funeral services with the minister.

It's absolutely devestated him (and the mother) and they are taking baby steps to try to keep him together and keep his general track on life in the proper direction.

Just so sad that things like this happen in life to anyone.

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[MossRoad]

$18,000.00 seems awfully high. Must be very hard on the family to have such a tragedy, then be hit with huge bills on top of it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Richard]

Yes, I agree on the high number...and in part, it's the fathers fault.

During the process of talks with the funeral people, it was asked if they wanted a single, or multiple burial sites. The mother & father decided on one. While they were driving through the cemetary looking at plots, the father evidently snapped from the emotions of it all and said "I'm not going to bury my son alone... we will take three plots".

So, he has the "arbitrary" cost of 2 more sites to now pay for. I dont know what I would have done in that situation as, thankfully, I've never been in it. I can see his angle, yet at same time, can see not buying 3.

 

[dmccarty]

Richard,

One of the guys at work is from GA and his family is in the
funeral business. His biggest suggestion was to shop around for
prices. But that is hard to do in these situations and it sounds
like your family is well into the planning stages. He did say to
limit limo rides and the casket cost.

But this is one of those times that its hard to shop....

For insurance policies check the bank. I have policies at the
Credit Union that they give away for free. Some organizations
also have little policies that go with membership. If you sister
or brother in law are members of a group they might cover a
family member. There might be a little bit of money here and
there that could help out with the cost of the funeral.

We have had some HEAVY and HOT arguments with family
members who have taken care of our child in the past. They
no longer have the responsibilty since they do not understand
simple safety issues and they make really bad decisions
regarding safety. They simply do not understand how quickly
bad things can happen. It takes an instant. And a life can be
gone or a person seriously injured. At that point everything
changes and there ain't no Back button on the browser to
make things better in real life.

Ignorance can be bliss....

Later,
Dan McCarty

 

[MossRoad]

Its got to be hard. All parents expect to outlive their children. Lots of us buy plots ahead and pre-plan so there won't be any burden for the children. I can't blame him for taking the three plots. I'd probably do the same thing. My family has done a few things like that, too, when a young relative has passed. Most of them are burried right near each other. Now I'm the only one left to tend to the plots /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I take the kids and give them a family history lesson once or twice a year while we plant flowers and pull weeds. They seem to enjoy it. Now their old grandpa(wife's grandpa) is in the same cemetery, so we get to wonder all over the place looking at the stones and historical markers. I try to go on bright, sunny days. Makes for a quiet, but pleasant afternoon. Very peaceful.

 

[Richard]

Just thought I'd post some update here that I've heard through the grapevine (ie, my mother /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif)

The charges against the boy that killed Ross have been upped to 2nd degree murder. He's going to be charged as an adult BUT will it will be held in juvinile court. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Doesnt make sense to ME, but again, was just what I was told. Evidently, this will preclude him from getting a life type sentence. The thinking is, he might get (max) 5 years or something like that. The understanding is, the trial will be open to family members only, verses public, since he is technically a minor. No one really knows for sure just who will/won't be allowed to attend the trial.

Evidently, he's under house arrest. Since he's been homeschooled (for several years) he's essentially in jail at home. My understanding is, he's allowed to be in HIS yard, or in HIS house. Anything beyond that is a violation. Seems other day, he was out mowing neighbors lawn. My sister saw him & called court system. They got someone "right out" and by time they arrived, he had finished the job and was at his house, or at least, on his property.

If the story was presented to me accurately, it also seems he's had some troubles in his past. The word is, he has trouble getting along with others, which is why they have home schooled him while his 2 sisters attend public school. If that is true, there might be something else in his past, that caused the DA to up the charges to 2nd degree murder, verses manslaughter???

Still have a lot of unknown answers, but that's the scuttlebutt that was just passed on to me.

No "winners" on any side here, all losers no matter how you cut the pie.

/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[knucklehead]

Thanks for the update. I just happened to be cruising TBN & saw your recent post. It still strikes home.

We've just completed hunter safety training as a family a few weeks ago. Heavy emphasis on safe handling of firearms - I'd highly recommend anyone taking the course - even if not interested in hunting. There is also a lot of outdoor safety & survival information which is helpful even for hikers and campers. I'm sure there are similar courses in many states.

Again, thank you for making this an opportunity for us to learn & pass along a lesson to our kids.

 

[polecat]

DEAR RICHARD...

Just happend onto your story and was not only blown away but deeply saddened. On the fact of being "too graphic"...Absolutely not!!!! I ahve a lot of friends with teenagers and they are all going to get a copy of this "whole string"!!!! If this story saves one life then maybe we can save another whole family line ...literally...These kinds of tradedies affect dozens of people not just the ones who are immediately involved!!!
I AM SO SORRY..I KNOW WORDS CANT CHANGE THINGS BUT GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS......

Sincerely,
Todd Hall