Chara 5/3/1963 - 8/25/2000 Chara I knew Chara for 21 years. She was special in a way that can not be described in words We lost her following a industrial accident where she worked. On July 25th 2000 Chara was at work when her hair got caught in a high speed milling machine and ripped her scalp from her head in an instant. She never had a chance to scream. On August 25th well after the accident and into her recovery she suffered a "Saddle Pulmonary Embolism" that took here from us in a matter of minutes. The doctor reported that this is one possible risk when massive skin grafts are involved. But the shock of this after she fought so hard to recover from such a massive head injury was almost more than we could bear. But we go on; we have to believe that it was her time. To Chara… We miss you. I first met you 21 years ago as my best friend introduced me to his fiancée. What a skinny little bashful girl you were. I was best man at your wedding. You were maid of honor at my wedding. You were there when my first son was born. I was there as both your children were born. You couldn’t be there but you called when my second son was born. You were there when I was in trouble with the law. You were there when my first marriage fell apart. You were the maid of honor at my second wedding. You spent Thirteen hours riding in the back of a pickup truck to visit us. You were there when my wife and I moved back home. You were the first visitor in our new home. We were there when my best friend said he didn’t want to be married any longer. We gave you a place to live. You helped us in return. We raised our children together. You were there as we began a new business. You were the only employee we ever had, but you were more, you were a friend. You were content to find another job when we had to change our business. You didn't blame us. We traveled together, Saint Louis, Six Flags, Kings Dominion, Washington DC, Oh the fun we had. Then on that terrible day the phone call came, you had been hurt at work. We came to the hospital and told you we would be there, but you couldn’t see us. We watched the helicopter take you out of sight. We drove two hours to get to you. We waited anxiously while you were in surgery We sat with you for two weeks while you recovered. We cried tears of joy when you said you could see us again. Then we brought you to our home to take care of you. Then when the doctors said you would be ok we made the worst decision of our life we left you … but it was only gonna be for a week. We thought we had to go, so we got someone to stay with you. Oh how I wish we could change time. Oh how I regret that day we left. The phone call came on the day before we were to come home. You had died… what … how… why? We drove for thirteen hours in a daze. Then we buried not only a friend, but the best friend who ever lived. Each day passes the emptiness stays there. Time is a healer but it is so slow.. As I look out my window I see your house, but it is dark and empty. As I walk up the driveway I look for your car but its not there. As I walk in the yard I listen for your laughter from an open window. But hear only silence. When I open the door I see your touch everywhere, in all the stuff you collected. It sits just as you left it, but you are gone. I walk into your room, it is cold, silent, empty, your clothes hang where you left them. Then I walk into the new room, and look at the unfinished work, the extra space you wanted, and never got to walk in. You have all the space you need now, I truly believe you are walking with God. To loose you was more than losing a friend. You were a member of the family. You only had 37 years on this Earth, but the memories you left behind are precious We will always remember you. Until we meet again. My wife Kim and Chara Showing her pretty long Hair, that cost her life. Chara and her daughter Jessica         Comments to Dave Cole (Runner_one@blomand.net) (Chara's friend.).