Peeled Back

A huge eye opener for me happened my sophomore summer. It was mid June therefore my scout troop just had our “kick off to summer” camp. It was an awesome time! We fished, goofed off, had awesome games of flashlight tag, and most importantly created a bunch of good memories together! Then came the end of summer camp and we all said our goodbyes without a doubt we would see each other again. There is the thing, we would see each other again but not as we planned.

     A couple weeks after the summer camp went by; I was swimming up the road at my uncle’s pool with three other friends from scouts. It was a Monday therefore there was a scout meeting at seven and we all knew it. It was getting close to the time for us to leave so we got out of the pool to dry off; about that time my Uncle Danny came out to inform us the meeting was canceled. We didn't think anything of it yet we wanted to know why?

Later that day we walked down to my house to find a message on my answering machine. This was by far the worst message I have ever received in my entire life. The message consisted of these words “Hey, Chuck the meeting for tonight has been cancelled, Andy Hayden of our troop died in a fatal car accident this afternoon on the west side, His brother Jeffrey and Michael are in critical condition, we are holding a meeting Wednesday to discuss on the troop participating on being front guards for the funeral.” This took my breath away. We had no idea what to think, it seemed as if we were dreaming. “No not Andy, This couldn’t have happened to him!” we thought; But come Wednesday it all sank in.  

     Wednesday came faster than we thought. We all were mostly seeing each other for the first time since summer camp, normally laughs and high-five’s however that wasn't the case. We all slowly walked in holding our head up high trying to act tough, even though inside we were all cut deep, holding back every bit of emotion possible! The meeting went on and a lot of things were said on the severity of the accident, and then they mentioned “Andy did not have life insurance” Us boys were smart enough to know how bad that would hurt the family. So we decided to donate every bit of money we raised for the next camp to the Hayden family. 

     Friday came, and it was the beginning of what felt like eternity. The job I was assigned at the funeral was to stand at the foot of the casket as Dakota McGraw stood at the head.  We had to stare blankly at the wall with no sign of emotion, even though he was our fishing buddy just two weeks ago, and now he lays there lifeless with no more second chances. This went on for two more days and the whole time they played the same songs over and over again! To this day if I hear any of those songs it brings up the same emotion as I had standing at his casket! I can still remember his mom talking to his lifeless body and running her hands through his hair crying. No one could begin to imagine what was going through her head, “Did I tell him I loved him before he left home”, “What were his last words to me”. She even would call his phone just to hear his voice, “Hey this is Andy, leave me a message!”

There were a lot of tears shed yet I had not let out a single tear until after the funereal. We were paying our last respects and I was up to the casket telling him goodbye when I glanced down at his hands, they were all cut up from the wreck and I couldn't begin to imagine how horrible of a death he had to have had. At that very moment I busted out in tears running to the bathroom before anyone could see me losing it.

Once I collected myself we headed over to Kentucky for the burial. The ride seemed as if It was never going to end. Once we arrived the scouts had to line up and salute Andy as they carried him by in his red oak casket. Once they sat him down and preached a part from scripture they played “taps” and we had to solute during the whole song still trying to hold it together.

     Since the tragedy of Andy’s death many boys have dropped out of our troop because it just isn't the same anymore. I don’t know if the boys of Troop 23 have come to the same realization as me. But the way I look at it, good always comes from bad. This tragedy has opened my eyes to take that extra three seconds to say I love you. Don’t take your life for granted, we are not promised tomorrow!