My Story

My Motto and Thought: Love For Today, Live For Tomorrow!

July 7th, 2009 was just like any other day until 10:00 am when we got a call at work and I was told that my husband was in an accident. Some of the details didn't make sense. My son had made a couple of phone calls and as he is approaching me, he tells me to sit down. He lets me know that the medical examiner had been called. We left to go to the accident 15 minutes away and I had a terrible feeling along the way. As we near the scene, roads were blocked and the police were there. They would not let me near but my son went up to the vehicles involved. When he comes back a few short minutes later, he says "Mom, He's gone". This is the person who I just had celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with the weekend before on July 4th. How could that be? No time for hellos, good byes, what ifs or even "I Love You". Your life as you know it has suddenly changed in a blink of an eye. We have two grandchildren Wyatt who was 6 months old and Hailey 2 1/2 years old at the time. How do you muster the energy to tell Hailey, her Pappy was gone? My heart was broken, but not just for me, but for all who loved and held the highest regard for Buddy. So well known in the community, so well loved from friends and family, what a loss! As you go through the motions of what's ahead, you can only take it one day at a time. There were many struggles in the weeks ahead. All the things your husband takes care of are now your responsibilities. Never did I know so many things would happen at once. How could it be your dryer, central air, storm door, garage door opener, windows and ceiling leaking, grass cutter and truck wouldn't start, just to name a few, would all need repair. If that wasn't enough, there were three snowstorms back to back, which is rare for the Eastern Shore. You take each days problems and with the help of others, you manage to solve each problem. It then was a few months later on November 21st, 2009, I lost my Pop. He had been in fairly good health until February of 2009. It seemed each time he had to go the hospital with a urinary tract and other infections, he became weaker and would spiral downhill. With the conditions of his health, he required more care of a nursing home facility. He was to reside at Hartley Hall until he could get stronger and once again, come back home. With numerous trips in and out of the hospital in the next few months, his return home would never be at 2211 Old Snow Hill Road with my mother. Once again, suffering and devastation hits many. To think I would lose my husband and father within 4 1/2 months seems unreal. Friends, family and community, once again offer love, condolences and support in various ways. As you try to look ahead for a brighter day, you can only look for now and see what’s left behind. Buddy owned "Buddy's Electronics and Sign Company" in Pocomoke where we worked side by side for 17 years. It is with the help of my Son Travis, our very special friend and employee Amy Shannon and other employees that I will continue to carry on his legacy. Our granddaughter now 3, says her Pappy and Pop are at the Heaven Hotel and Jesus is holding them as she pats her heart. It was my friend Tonya Sterling, who first sent me a text message with the words "Gurl Hugs". I asked her if it had any significance and she replied "no". It was then that I decided to define what Gurl Hugs means to me, and the rest is now history. Please continually visit our website to look for updates and to stay connected with those you have loved and lost, and those you love. Send a Gurl Hug today to someone close or far away and keep us all connected in our hearts.