In Loving Memory
of our beloved son

Keith Alexander Donaldson

November 8^th, 1987 ~ March 5^th, 2006

VistaHigh School, Class of 2006, Senior Class portraits

In A Dark and Quiet Room

Sunday, March 5, 2006

At about 3:45 that day, you pulled out into the intersection. You didn’t see the truck that hit you.

At about 4:42, the doctor declared you dead.

At about 5:15, I got a call that you were in the hospital, that you were in critical condition and it did not look good. They wanted to know if you were allergic to anything. I said no. They told me to drive carefully. I called your brother to meet us at the hospital, that you were involved in an accident.

At about 5:40 I arrived at the hospital and was told to wait.

At about 5:50 I was led to a room and was told the doctor wanted to talk to me.

At about 5:55 the doctor told me that you did not suffer, that the impact caused you to lose consciousness.

At about 6:10, I was allowed to see you. You were in a dark and quiet room. You were wrapped up in white sheets, all the way to your neck. Your mouth was open a little. Your face was ashen white but had a little glisten to it. Your eyes were closed, swollen, and your eye lids were red like you had been crying.

I stood there, staring, not believing, wishing that you were only sleeping and would wake up soon. You brother spun me around and wrapped his arm around me. I started crying like I’ve never cried before.

Before I left you there, in that dark and quiet room, I turned to you one more time. I placed my hand on your soft shoulder, giving you a gentle shake, to wake you, but you did not move. I leaned over and gently kissed your forehead.

But in that dark and quiet room I did not say good-bye, for I knew that I would see you again, some day.

He was a man, take him for all in all,

I shall not look upon his like again. 

--Hamlet, 1.2.187-188

Keith’s grave site and marker –5/29/2006

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Sophomore year AF JROTC

Home Memorial for Keith (3-10-06)

Now cracks a noble heart.
Good night, sweet Prince, and flights of Angels
sing thee to thy rest. --Hamlet, 5.2.302-303.

Keith's obituary

Keith's Memorial Card

This page last updated: April 13, 2008