by Alexa J.K.

Created on: May 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

This will be an emotional article as it has only been a week since I lost my sister-in-law. My husband and his side of the family are still very sore from the loss of a great sister, daughter, niece, girlfriend, friend and granddaughter. I'd like to share our story as it is so fresh in my mind and in my heart.

Many of you might have seen it in the newspaper, the tragic accident that happened to Klara Knapek. I'll never forget that Saturday morning when I received the call about her death. I had gotten a couple of calls that morning, unable to get to the phone right away there was voice mail. I thought that Klara had hurt herself skiing, or through many other activities she loved to do. I was worried when I couldn't reach her boyfriend. A family friend then called me and just gave it to me straight. I couldn't believe his words. I thought it was a joke, a really bad joke. I started shaking when the words began to sink in, and at the same time, I knew it was reality, but it felt like a dream.

My husband, Matt, was working that morning. I had to call him to come home. I was hysterical, in tears, I was still shaking, nervous, my adrenaline was pumping like crazy. I had our baby boy crawling around me, crying, not understanding why mommy was so upset. I called Matt and frantically told him to come straight home right away. I didn't want to tell him the news over the phone, I didn't want him driving upset. Unfortunately, he couldn't get off work without knowing the reason. So, I told him it was Klara. Klara had died. It seemed that he had the exact same reaction as I did. He said he'd be home right away. I tried to tell him to be careful, but he had already hung up the phone. I worried and waited.

My mother-in-law was camping out in Princeton for the long weekend. Her cell phone could not be reached as there was very poor reception where she was. No one knew the number of the land line out there either. Our family friend, who had called me earlier, called me again to ask if I had the land line number or if I could find out if someone else had it. I was still hysterical, I couldn't think straight and just kept trying mom's cell phone and got only her voice mail. I took a few deep breaths and finally thought of looking up her friend in the phone book on the internet. Luckily, he was listed. I didn't even think that it would be me to give mom the news.

I had to call a few times before her friend answered. I tried to be as calm as possible, but I don't think I did a very

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