In Memory of Wil

Last Monday morning, February 23rd, I had to call my sister, Corey. Not because I had a problem or because I felt the sudden need to chat. I had to call her because I found out that her 15-year-old son Wil, my nephew, had died in a car accident the night before. I couldn't not call her. As her sister, and as a mother, my heart was breaking for her for my surviving nephew, 13-year-old Liam. 

When I found out about Wil I cried so hard I could barely speak, but I calmed myself enough to call Corey. When she answered the phone I had no words. I just kept repeating that I was so very sorry. We cried together and discussed the accident and we talked about Wil. She told me how she was doing, and how sad and worried she was for Liam, who was best friends with his brother. Corey home-schooled her boys so they spent most days together as a family. We didn't talk long because I knew she'd have other calls to take and make but I told her I'd be here for her if she needs me; and we spoke more over the few days afterward.

Wil had been in the car with his father, his step-mother, a step-sister, and Liam, and they'd stopped on the highway in a traffic jam. The man driving behind them never hit the brakes of his truck; although Corey told me that the hospital staff didn't think he was drunk, he was somehow distracted. The driver slammed into the back of my ex-brother-in-law's vehicle at 60-70mph. The impact caused Wil, who was in the rear center seat, to fly forward - yes, he was wearing a seat belt - and hit the seat rest in front of him. He hit it so hard he broke it, and his injuries were so extensive that paramedics had to life-flight him to the hospital. He died before my sister could get there.

The service was this past Saturday, February 28th, at the church they attend where they live in Georgia. I knew my kids and I wouldn't be there because I have no working vehicle so I couldn't drive, and I don't have the money to fly. I felt awful but Corey completely understood. I called her before the service to let her know I was thinking of them but she wasn't in the mood to talk and said we'd talk in the days following. That was fine with me; I want to give her time to adjust, even if it's just a little bit.

In the meantime, I was trying to find something that I could do to help Corey and Liam. Since her divorce, she's no longer involved in the business that she and my ex-brother-in-law started - and ran from their home - so she has no steady income. She's also got a lot of medical issues of her own which will make it difficult for her to find work, not to mention that she still has to school Liam. Another friend of mine suggested I start a GoFundMe campaign for Corey to try to collect donations to help her with Liam's and her expenses for a while. So, with Corey's permission, I started the campaign.

It's been up and running for a few days now and it's gotten some wonderful donations but I'd like to try to get some more support for them. I want to give Corey and Liam the time to grieve and heal without having to worry about bills for the immediate future. If I can get enough support, they'll be able to do what they need to do for themselves and Corey won't be burdened with the stress of wondering how she'll pay for her utilities, or for whatever else Liam or she may need in the coming months.

So I'm asking a favor. I'm putting the link for the GoFundMe page up here In Memory of Wil Cohron and I'm asking my readers to please circulate the page by sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, or wherever you feel it may be seen - you can click on the above link and there are 'share' buttons on the campaign site; and if you'd care to contribute, I'd be extremely grateful and I know Corey and Liam will, too. Every little bit helps and I want to thank you all in advance for any assistance you can offer. And, if you would, please pray for them. They need all the support they can get right now. Thanks again.

Rest in Peace Wil Cohron
8/5/99 - 2/22/15

Until next time... peace to all.