A Sad Anniversary
It’s funny who can touch your life. I grew up watching South Park, and paid little (if any) attention to those who did the voice work. Four years ago, I was listening to Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Bigger, Longer and Uncut commentary. I hadn’t watched that movie in a few years. Well, they mentioned Mary Kay’s death, and for some reason, it hit me.
I guess I’m writing this to let her husband, Dino know.. that 4 years ago, I was on the verge of committing suicide. I was in a place so far down and dark, that I really didn’t think I had the strength to crawl out of it.. again. Somehow, I did find the strength to lucidly call my mother, then 911. I remember being so overwhelmed by everyone’s genuine concern. No one treated me like I was a basketcase! I was admitted into a psych ward, and during that time I began to recover. It took a lot of aftercare, but I am happy to say that I feel like a new person. I am now able to deal! Because of learning about Mary Kay and her quiet battle, I am now married and have a 10 month old son. I wish she were still here, performing for us all! 🙂
Hi April
Thank you for sharing your tale with me and all of Mary Kay’s fans. Mary Kay was an amazing woman who was taken from us way too soon. I take solace in knowing that her passing helped to save many lives, including yours.
— Paul
April,
I’ll make sure that Dino reads your words. I’m so happy that you are still here to share them! The best of everything to you and your family.
Doreen Mulman, webmistress
The Official Mary Kay Bergman Memorial
http://www.mkbmemorial.com
Dear April,
As this 10th anniversary passes I am greatly comforted in knowing how many people still keep my Mary Kay’s memory and even more grateful to hear stories such as yours. It does my heart great good to know that you chose life because those who don’t, do not end their suffering but merely pass it on those all those who have loved them. This world is truly a better place with you in it. I must say that what struck me the most is that you have a 10 month old son, and this is why.
After Mary Kay’s death I suffered greatly from post traumatic stress disorder and there were many who didn’t think I’d come out of it. But in 2004, by sheer happenstance, I ran into – of all people – Casey Lyn Keeney, my old high school sweetheart. We hadn’t seen each other in 26 years.
Casey helped me through some rough times with my PTSD and eventually she presented me with a gift. A necklace which featured a broken heart laced back together. Five years later, Casey and I are still together. It seemed that I was merely existing, and now I am living again. As for the post traumatic stress, it is all but a memory. Yes, I still have bad moments, and yes there are still tears, but life once again has color, and flavor, and joy. And best of all Casey and I are now going to have a son. He is expected on or near Valentines Day 2010 and his name will be Connor Elias Andrade. Mary Kay once said that if she ever had children she would want a boy named “Walter” in honor of both her grandfather and Walter Elias Disney. The middle name is a nod to Mr. Disney, and thus to Mary Kay.
At the time of Mary Kay’s death we had been together 12 years, the last 10 as husband and wife. She was 2 years older than me and always seemed 2 years the wiser. Today I have been on this earth without her for as long as we were married and 2 years shy of all the time we spent together. I am now 8 years older than May Kay was when she died and every day the wife who was my senior seems so strikingly young to me now – too young. If you had asked me awhile ago I would have told you that this 10th anniversary would be a truly difficult one filled with tears and great, great sadness. But it wasn’t. Instead, it passed filled with the chaos that can only come with building a nursery. Connor has changed everything. I have decided that this 10th anniversary is to be the last time that I will make a big deal out of Mary Kay’s passing – no more gatherings, no more candle light vigils. Instead, from this moment forward I will take joy in celebrating Mary Kay’s birthday for I have seen the face of death and now I want to see the face of new life. People say that some good comes from every tragedy. The coming of my son Connor is truly proof of that. I cannot wait to meet him, and I do believe he has a guardian angel with bright red wings.
Thank you April, so much for your words, they mean so much to me. Thank you for keeping Mary Kay’s memory and please do cherish every minute with your husband and son. Their love and yours is a gift. A gift worth healing for…a gift worth living for.
My very best to you,
Dino Andrade
Dino
That was a very touching comment you posted. It nearly brought a tear to my eye. I am very happy for you and Casey and the bundle of joy that will soon be coming into your lives.
— Paul
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