Star's Last Christmas; Final Chapter

Ron Davison was very much surprised when he arrived home from work, and found Erica in the bedroom packing a suitcase.
"What's going on?" asked Ron
"The children have a few days left, before they have to return to school, I'm taking them to San Diego to visit the family."
"Isn't this a little sudden. When are you leaving?"
"In a few hours"
"Star's funeral is tomorrow," Ron reminded Erica, "the children
want to be there."
"They don't realize how sad it's going to be. I don't want to put them through that much pain," Erica replied.
"Death and pain is a very real part of life. You can't protect them from the reality of life. Don't teach them to run away when things get unpleasant" said Ron.

Star's death was very painful for Erica, but, there was so much more going on. Erica lost two infant babies herself. One fourteen years earlier and she lost the second baby seven years ago; on the same date that Star died. Her little baby was born on Christmas day. The baby weighed three pounds and had serious heart problems. The baby died December 27 and Christmas has never been the same for Erica. For the sake of her family, she tried not to let her feelings show. But, she has never completely gotten over the lost of her babies. Star's death brought back painful memories for Erica.

Star's death, memories of her lost babies and watching helplessly as her children went through all this pain was too much for her to handle. Erica had to get away for a few days. She felt it would also help the children.

Ron felt that the children should attend the funeral. Star was their best friend. She was like part of the family. He felt the pain and grief the children were feeling was very natural and necessary. Ron believed the children needed to grieve the death of their friend and not keep it inside. It tore him apart to see the children in so much pain. He felt as helpless as Erica felt. He didn't know how to help his children. He did know that he and Erica had to help them through this. And, running off to San Diego wasn't the answer. He, also, felt that Erica should pay her respects to Carlie.

Carlie and her family were released from the hospital a couple of days earlier. Erica couldn't pull herself together enough to visit Carlie. She didn't go to the hospital to visit Carlie because she knew she would start crying and upset Carlie. Carlie needed to be comforted and Erica wasn't in the position to offer much comfort to anyone.

Erica continued packing her suitcase. Ron sat on the side of the bed. Erica stopped packing and sat next to Ron on the bed. She didn't know what to do. Her children were in so much pain. She just thought if she could take them away for a few days, until school opened it may help.

Earlier that day her three boys came into the house and told Erica that they went to the funeral home to view Star's body. The funeral home was only four blocks away. A group of children from the neighborhood got together and went to view Star's body. The three boys were devastated over Star's death but they were dealing with it much better than Erica thought they would. She didn't realize how strong her boys were until now. Lori and Robin were both having a very hard time, because they were so close to Star. They too were coping with the tragedy much better than Erica expected. However, Erica knew the funeral could be too much for children. So, she didn't want to put them through that ordeal.

Lori and Robin came into the room. Lori told her mom and dad that she and Robin went to see Carlie; and they were talking about the fun times they used to have with Star. Lori told her mom that she and Robin really wanted to go to Star's funeral. Erica knew that Star's funeral was going to be open casket; she didn't think the girls were ready for that. Lori begged, "please, mom, we just have to see Star one more time.

Ron explained to the girls that Star had already gone to heaven and the body they would see may look different from the Star they knew. He explained that going to that funeral would be the hardest thing they had ever done, and it would be very, very, sad. The girls still wanted to go. So, Erica reluctantly agreed.

Erica decided if the two little girls can be this brave; so can she. She decided to visit Carlie. She will be strong and she wouldn't cry. Ron said he would fix a snack for the girls and himself while Erica went to see Carlie.

Erica pulled herself together and felt very strong as she walked the half block to Carlie's house. She was proud of herself. This wasn't about her; this was about Carlie losing a child; and she was going to be strong for Carlie.

Erica rang Carlie's door bell. It was good timing, Carlie was alone. Carlie's eyes were red and swollen from crying. Carlie said, "Girl, I'm so glad to see you". Erica wasn't feeling so strong and brave any more. Both women burst into tears.
Carlie cried, "My baby is gone, she's gone."
Erica led Carlie to the sofa, "here sit down, can I make you a cup or tea or get you a glass of water?"
"I'll be alright," Carlie sobbed "I just miss her so much, I didn't know I could miss anyone this much."

Carlie said that when she woke up in the hospital; they had already moved her two year old, her little nephew, and her boyfriend into her room. Everyone that was in the house and taken to the hospital was in her room; everyone except Star. She knew something was very wrong, when she didn't see Star; so, she asked where Star was? The doctors explained to her about the Carbon Dioxide poisoning. It was a faulty heater. Something to do with the old fashioned heating system in her house.

Carlie said, "girl, I never knew the kind of pain existed, that I felt, when they told me that my Star was gone". Then she asked Erica, "You lost two babies, how did you keep it together?"
Erica said, "You have no choice. You just keep going because you have to. It's going to be so hard for a while, but the girls and I and your family will be here for you. It's going to be so hard, but you will get through it. We'll help you through this.

Erica said she was so sorry for not being there for Carlie when she was in the hospital and when she first got home. Carlie said, she understood, and she knew how much Erica loved Star.

"Your girls told me that you were very sad and crying a lot, and you didn't want to come to the hospital because you didn't want to upset me." Carlie said to Erica.

The next day; Erica, Ron, and the five children were at Star's funeral. The children were so sad, they were devastated, but they handled it as well as could be expected. Poor Carlie, it took all the strength she had to keep her from falling apart.

Month's later; after Carlie's pain had eased somewhat, Erica gave her the pictures of Star that she took two days before the tragedy. She thought Carlie was ready to see them. She was right. It brought tears to Carlie's eyes, but, she was so thrilled when she saw those pictures. It brought back good memories of how happy Star was that Christmas. Carlie said I will always treasure these pictures of Star's last Christmas