March 3, 1994 my wife Rita kissed me goodbye, headed for town for a day of shopping. I went back to checking my cows for any more new calves, and about 20 minutes later, about the amount of time to drive there from the ranch, I heard sirens from the highway which was on the other side of the river but only maybe 1/2 mile from our ranch as the crow flies. A little later I got a call from my daughter-in-law who gave me the news that Rita had been hit by a logging truck on the highway….and “it’s the worst.” The RCMP eventually notified me later that day. The highway had been covered with black ice but it could not be determined who was responsible for the accident. Rita had been instantly killed!
Later that same day a neighboring couple came by the ranch with some food and their condolences, and the lady, in tears, took me aside and said “I have a message for you from a Higher Power. You will be hearing from Rita in a song”. I thanked her but didn’t really think any more about it until the next morning, after a sleepless night, when I climbed into my truck to take care of imminent ranching chores and turned on the truck radio for the news, the very first thing that came on was Dolly Parton …and she was singing:
If I should stay…well I would only be in your way…
So I’ll go…and yet I know…I’ll be with you each step of the way…
And I will always Love You….I will always love you…..
I cried myself dry!
I never again doubted that there was and is a “HIGHER POWER” who gives us guidance, if we will listen.
Later my life again returned to Silver and Gold with a most wonderful new bride for the past 30 years now….and counting. Life is beautiful, and so was Dolly. Sng