Pandy was the aunt that every kid wishes they could have. She drove us around in her firebird blasting her music. I loved it. She gave me inflatable furniture for my birthday...when it was in style of course. What girl didn't want a blow up chair? She was a hair stylist so she was my go-to for everything. She french braided my hair for dance recitals and styled it for prom. I even let her experiment hair colors and eyebrow waxing on me.
I am most like her.
I am independent and unique.
The last week of her life we were at Pop's discussing baby names. I even gave her my gift early. I couldn't wait for the baby shower. She had always wanted a baby and was only 2 months out from her due date. A couple days later I met her at work to cut my hair. We went to the mall to shop for more maternity outfits and then we both got a giant pretzel, sat down on a bench, and had our final conversation. I don't remember what we talked about, but it doesn't matter. I believe God gave me that time with her for a reason.
I was at play rehearsal for a show called Steel Magnolia's when I got the call. My mom told me not to rush and to come to the hospital when I could. But I knew deep down this was worse. I left rehearsal immediately. When I made it to the hospital she had already been pronounced dead. I still have my parking stub from that night. I couldn't seem to throw it away.
Pandy had met her husband Don that day at work on October 18, 2004, when she began experiencing chest pains. It became bad enough for them to seek medical attention. I know at one point she even vomited. When she was checked into the ER, they had to run so many tests because they didn't know what was wrong. They were also dealing with the fact that she was 7 months pregnant and the baby could be in danger. Her husband even told them, if you can only save one, please save Pandora. The doctor went into surgery knowing she only had a 10% chance of survival. He said that ordinarily he wouldn't have tried, but he knew that she was only 37 and he wanted to do his best to give her baby a mommy.
From Pandy's pregnancy journal: Mon. Aug. 30th, 2004
"I really never thought I would be lucky enough to have a daughter of my own.
I will get to experience the mother, daughter relationship."
Not only had Pandy lost her mother, but now her daughter would live to experience that same pain.
Not only had Pandy lost her mother, but now her daughter would live to experience that same pain.
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| Charlotte Pandora playing dressing up with her mom's accessories. |
We were able to see Pandy after she had passed, and she was as beautiful as always. Just a "sleeping beauty". I sat alone in a quiet hall at the hospital that night and cried.
The baby was care flighted to Dallas that night. It was amazing to think that she would survive. And we would spend the next several weeks by her side until she could come home to the life her mother had prepared for her so carefully.
Everything was in place for the baby we would come to know as
Charlotte Pandora.
Her dad had named her after her mother and grandmother.
