Institutionalized: 1940

When Life Throws You a Curve

A few weeks after the birth of our nephew Louis, Greg received a letter from Dario. When he showed me the envelope, he told me that he wondered what his best friend wanted to tell him. I told him just to open it and read the letter that Dario wrote him. He excused himself. I could hear Greg exclaiming to himself while he was reading the letter. I thought to myself that I hoped that Dario was not telling Greg any bad news.

As soon as Greg walked over to me, I knew he was going to tell me what Dario had the say without saying a word to Greg because the expression on Greg's face said it all. Greg started to tell me that Dario was in a huge racing incident in the beginning of October on the last lap of the race in Houston, Texas. He continued to explain to me that Dario sustained a broken right ankle, a concussion, and two broken vertibra in his back, Greg continued to ensure me that Dario was getting better by letting me know that he had two operations on his ankle. Also that he was in rehabilitation by using a walker to assist his walking as well as wore a back brace to protect his back while his injury healed. The next thing Greg told me was that Dario told him that on November 14 he had to retire from racing from the advice of his medical team because of the severity of his injuries. The thought of not seeing Dario at the race track saddened me.

As Greg continued to tell me what else Dario said in the letter, I became happier because Dario told Greg that if the opportunity comes knocking for Dario to advise the drivers who are with Chip Ganassi he would love to take it. Another thought came to mind. Who will replace Dario in his car.

Dario ended by telling Greg that for any other updates of his condition, his new job opportunities, and who would replace him in the car that he would send another letter as soon as he receives this information.

After Greg read the letter to me, I told him that I was sad that Dario had to retire from the sport he loved. Greg then said that Dario race incident could have been worse. He continued by saying that he was thankful for how safe the cars are because it could have been a letter from Ashley telling us that Dario died during a race.

After Greg said this, he had an indescribable expression on his face that all I could think of asking him was that if he was having a flashback moment from his racing incident in Fontana, California in 1939. all he could do was nod to acknowledge to me that, that is what it was. His eyes began to well up with tears that is why he was speechless. It upsets me that a few months before I met him that he was himself in a huge racing incident and could have died. Also that what type of life would I would have had if I never met him.

He then spoke after a few moments. He said that if the racing incident did kill him, that his parents and siblings would be beside themselves in grief and do anything in their power to keep his memory alive.

After hearing this, my eyes started to well up with tears and told him to stop thinking the "what if" situation because thankfully he survived and we are having a great life together. He apologized for making me cry and told me that I am the love of his life and kissed me.

A few moments later, there was a knock at the door. Greg went to go answer it. I thought to myself that we are not expecting any company today.

When Greg opened the door, he was surprised to see his parents there. He asked them if anything was wrong. They told him that no there was not anything wrong. All they told him was that they decided to pay us a surprise visit. He walked into the living room with his parents. He then said look who wanted to pay us a surprise visit. When I saw them I smiled and thanked them for paying us a visit.

The first thing Greg told was about the letter he just received this morning. They were glad to hear that Dario is on the road of recovery. Then Ric said that, hearing this news brought him back to 1940 when they received the telegram telling that Greg's plane crashed and the telegram stated that he was missing in action and any new information would imediately be sent via telegram. Ric continued by saying that it was only a few days since the first telegram that they received another one informing them that Greg was in hospital with severe injuries. It also said that Greg's injuries were severe enough that he needed to be institutionalized until the war ended.