Get Well, NoStar
Commenter NoStar, also known as Bill Kalles, is currently in the ICU after a terrible motorcycle accident yesterday took the life of his 12-year-old daughter, Jessie.
There are no words to make this better.
The Internet makes it possible to befriend people you’ve never had the honor to meet. I consider Bill one of those friends; though we live on opposite coasts, we’ve known each other online for several years now. A few weeks ago, when I noticed that his name wasn’t appearing on certain forums we frequent (this one included), I e-mailed to ask if he was all right. He wrote back to say that yes, he’d been spending more time with his daughter.
The loss of a child is a vile thing for any parent. “Time heals all wounds” is not entirely true. But I hope Bill knows there are many people
Former president Calvin Coolidge had a son die young. When a friend of Coolidge’s suffered the same tragedy, Coolidge sent the man a book with the following inscription: To E.K.H., Whose boy, and my boy, by the grace of God, will remain boys through all Eternity.
The same holds true for girls. Rest in peace, Jessie. Get well soon, Bill.
ADDITION: If you check the comments, you'll see that real-life Friends of Bill have posted the addresses where people can send sympathy cards, donate to the Jessica Kalles Memorial Fund (buying books at the local library where Jessie was a voracious reader), or send donations to help defray funeral and hospital costs.
posted by Jennifer Abel at 10:27 AM
24 Comments:
UPDATE: The Wine Commonsewer reports that Bill is stable this morning, and that doctors are optimistic he'll pull through.
I hope so. Get well, Bill.
Honestly, as a father, I don't know if I'd want to pull through. You have to, but you wouldn't necessarily want to. Having just lived through this vicariously with my sister's son being killed, there's also not a damn thing you can say.
Thank you Jennifer.
I'm so sorry for your friend.
My prayers go with you.
M
Anyone doing anything in terms of a memorial fund or the like?
Moose, no word on a memorial fund, but thank you.
Bill is still in ICU but the prognosis is good. He is okay but still loopy on the drugs.
Geez. That really sucks. I could never imagine seeing my son die before me, my heart goes out to him.
Bill is still in ICU but the prognosis is good. He is okay but still loopy on the drugs.
I hope he gets through it ok. I can't imagine.
I'd appreciate it if you could post something here if there is some kind of memorial fund created someplace, it's something one can actually do. I don't have a lot of time, and this is probably the only blog I check regularly so I won't necessarily get the info otherwise. Thanks.
I can't imagine life without my daughter. My prayers are with Bill and his family.
Soon as I learn anything of a memorial fund I'll definitely post it here, Moose. I've been checking TWC's blog, and I'll link to it if/when anything's done.
I just posted the following at TWC:
For now cards or flowers may be sent to Bill Kalles:
C/O Harborview Medical Center
325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104
Actually, I'm not sure if the ICU staff looks kindly on flowers.
As many of you know Bill is a man of faith and his church is now working out the details for a memorial fund. When that information is forthcoming I will pass it along. I had given some thought to a pay pal account on behalf of Bill but perhaps we'll wait and see how the church fund works out.
In the interest of simple expediency, those of you who prefer to do so, can send him a card and a check at the hospital.
Another thought is a donation to the Moses Lake library in the name of Jesse. She loved to read.
Funeral arrangements are still pending, but we may have better information by tomorrow.
The feeling is that if the funeral service takes place next week that Bill may be able to attend.
Thanks, I assume we're talking the library here.
Yes, Moose, that is the right library. Thanks.
Bill (NoStar) is out of ICU today but remains in a great deal of pain. The internal bleeding has stopped. The hospital won't let him look in a mirror.
He and Jessie's mom are finalizing funeral arrangements.
A friend is working on the details to set up a memorial library fund. But I don't see why you couldn't just contact them directly if you wanted to.
No word yet on the church memorial fund.
Hello, I am an attender of Bill and Jesse's church and a friend as well. I "googled" Bill's name to see if I could read the news reports as to what happened (who's facts were off) and I came across this blog. The word is that Bill is moved to a "regular room" out of the ICU. His bleeding has stopped, and he seems to be healing better than hoped. However, as you know losing a child is unthinkable and the emotional healing takes time. He has a lot of support here though, through his family and church family. I did read that you can make book donations at the Moses Lake public library on behalf of Jesse, but also there is a fundraiser to be held by a local Christian motorcycle group, this Saturday for Bill and Jesse. Also, I noticed that some of you posted that you would like to send a check or a card for him. If you send it to his church they would forward it to the right place. The church is:
Grace Harvest Church
313 N Fig st.
Moses Lake, Wa 98837
The link to the church's website is: www.Graceharvestchurch.org-check it out. I believe you can contact the office by email through the site or by snail mail. Thanks to all who are praying.
There is also a site to read a pretty accurate version of the story: www.gcpower.net the article is way at the bottom.
Thanks,
Tudortribe
Thanks Tudortribe,
In addition, a fund exists for help with the medical and funeral expenses
Contact Info:
Ed Baxter at (509) 771-0070.
Checks and donations for Bill can be mailed to:
RTMM, P.O. Box 2023
Moses Lake, WA 98837.
All proceeds from the benefit go to Bill to help pay his medical bills.
Meant to mention that I just heard that No Star may be coming home from the hospital today or Friday.
I just got word a moment ago that NoStar is definitely going home today.
He's pretty happy about it, too.
Glad to hear that, TWC. Sounds like he's handling this about as well as anyone can, under the circumstances.
Spoke to No Star a little while ago. He's doing pretty well. He's off to the benefit bbq in downtown Moses Lake and expects to be able to eat a cheeseburger. No mean feat for a guy who was life-flighted to Seattle last Sunday.
Anyone who is so inclined can click my name if you want to give him a couple of bucks to help with the bills.
Jessica's funeral service is Sept 6. Anyone who cares to can click my name for details for sending flowers or cards or to sign the guestbook online.
Thank you, Jennifer and thanks to all my friends on the internet. I am blessed to have good friends.
I've been home a week, but it doesn't seem that long. My sense of time is different, I used to be able to tell the time within 10 minutes. Perhaps it is just that my schedule is so different, or maybe my brain has been rattled big time.
My Pastor came over today and we discussed my daughter and the service for her on Saturday. She was a Daddy's girl, but she was also DADDY's Girl. She loved God and loved helping others and animals. It's a blessing to be her Daddy. Jessie's big sister and I are getting closer as well. This started a year ago. Julie Ann is 17. I am still needed!
I am very glad to hear from you, Bill. You have my e-mail if you ever want to chat.
God Bless you, Bill. You are a good man. Great to see you back. I am really glad.
NoStar, first of all, you need wine.
Secondly, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you out and about.
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