A few years ago, I graduated from school, a day I was incredibly proud of. I was excited to share this milestone with my family, especially my parents. However, their absence has haunted me ever since.
At the ceremony, I kept scanning the crowd for my mom and stepdad, convinced they were just running late. As names were called, I glanced around anxiously. Finally, it was my turn. I walked up to the stage, took my diploma, and forced a smile for the camera, still hoping to see them. But they never showed.
After the ceremony, I checked my phone and saw a message from my mom: “Sorry, we couldn’t make it. Something came up with your stepsister. We’ll celebrate later. Congrats!” I was devastated. Iris, my stepsister, had once again taken priority over me.
Justin, my prom date, and his family stepped in, showing me the support I desperately needed. Later, at home, I confronted my parents. My mom told me Iris had thrown a tantrum over a broken nail, and they had taken her to the salon. I couldn’t believe it. I packed my bags and left, staying with Justin’s family, who welcomed me.
Years later, I gave my parents another chance at my college graduation. But again, they didn’t show up. This time, it was because Iris had a pregnancy craving, and they got stuck in traffic while getting her cake. I realized nothing had changed. Justin found me afterward, and his support helped me get through it.
Looking back, I’ve learned that even when people let you down, their actions don’t define your worth. With Justin by my side, I know I can face any challenge.
Reba McEntire remembers the day she lost her band in a horrific plane crash 32 years ago
Reba McEntire won the Country Music Association’s “best singer” award four times in a row following her breakthrough in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Naturally, she is also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
However, Reba has also had her fair share of personal traumas, so life has not always been easy for her, even with her amazing profession and wealth.
Reba’s mother Jacqueline, at 93 years old, lost her fight with illness in 2022.
She was completely prepared to pass away and had lived a lovely, long, and healthy life. The country music performer posted on social media, “The cancer may believe it has won the fight, but we’re giving God all the credit for choosing the time for her to go home to Him.”
Jacqueline McEntire’s desire of becoming a professional country singer was always realized when she taught Reba to sing, fulfilling her dream via her daughter.
We all know how much she loved us, and she left knowing how much love she had.Reba remarked, “We have so many amazing memories, but we’re going to miss her.
https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&client=ca-pub-8829560994113606&output=html&h=280&adk=3962692565&adf=817339791&pi=t.aa~a.1381849204~i.31~rp.4&w=730&abgtt=6&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1728194900&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=2013884075&ad_type=text_image&format=730×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbackstageperu.com%2F2024%2F09%2F29%2Freba-mcentire-remembers-the-day-she-lost-her-band-in-a-horrific-plane-crash-32-years-ago%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFvBpdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaU3pKymjJ6e3TvWJ_YzniZABS3BeVl09_IGGPq6Snl1XtUmeNlH8lggyg_aem_qzGhK-My-BDjejJ3ipRt4A&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=183&rw=730&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTUuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTEzLjAuNTIzMC4xMzUiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siTm90KUE7QnJhbmQiLCI5OS4wLjAuMCJdLFsiT3BlcmEgR1giLCIxMTMuMC41MjMwLjEzNSJdLFsiQ2hyb21pdW0iLCIxMjcuMC42NTMzLjEyMCJdXSwwXQ..&dt=1728194383494&bpp=2&bdt=6806&idt=2&shv=r20241001&mjsv=m202410010101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D3b64097007118e46%3AT%3D1725706010%3ART%3D1728194382%3AS%3DALNI_MbQdaWD1p79ilOrS6esJ9phhZrHNA&eo_id_str=ID%3Daccda1a41486c42e%3AT%3D1725706010%3ART%3D1728194382%3AS%3DAA-AfjYIeRx-ZRaxuTTo7rVbOIFr&prev_fmts=0x0%2C1100x280%2C730x183%2C730x280%2C730x183&nras=3&correlator=5879284682698&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=864&u_w=1536&u_ah=864&u_aw=1536&u_cd=24&u_sd=1.25&dmc=8&adx=190&ady=4656&biw=1481&bih=759&scr_x=0&scr_y=1816&eid=44759875%2C44759926%2C44759837%2C31087659%2C95331833%2C95342016%2C95343329&oid=2&pvsid=120775517760162&tmod=1392159863&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1536%2C0%2C1536%2C864%2C1495%2C759&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1.03&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDNd&nt=1&ifi=8&uci=a!8&btvi=4&fsb=1&dtd=M
Reba is well aware of the suffering associated with loss and grief.
Thirty-two years ago on March 16, she lost her tour manager in a horrific plane crash after a concert, along with seven other band members.
I recall that 1991 day. I heard about the crash on the radio as I was heading to work. I felt my heart skip a beat, thinking that Reba was on the plane too.
She wasn’t, though.
After playing in San Diego on March 16, 1991, Reba and her band were on their way to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for their next tour stop.
At the airport in San Diego, two flights were waiting; Reba, her husband, and manager spent the night in San Diego, while the band members and tour manager traveled on ahead.
Ten miles east of the airport, the first aircraft tragically met its demise.
Reba has frequently honored her deceased friends throughout the years.
She opened out about the day her band broke up in an emotional 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
“Everyone on board was killed when the airplane’s tip struck a rock on the side of Otay Mountain,” McEntire said to Winfrey.
“Our pilot was contacted, and Narvel, Reba’s manager, went to meet with him to inform us of what had occurred. When Narvel returned to my hotel room at two or three in the morning, he informed me that one of the planes had crashed. I said, “Are they okay?” In his words, “I don’t think so.” “But you’re not sure?” I asked. I don’t think so, he said.
Reba remembered the events of the disaster, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Narvel was calling from room to room while holding a phone,” she started, stopping when tears welled up in her eyes. “I apologize, but even after 20 years, it seems like it will never stop hurting,” she remarked. But that chamber is visible to me. Narvel is moving back and forth, as I can see.
It’s been 32 years since the crash. She recently recalled the terrible events of that day by sharing a picture of her band on Instagram.
She shared another homage to her friends in 2020.
“I lost my pals in a plane tragedy 29 years ago today. It seems fitting that Mama passed away on that anniversary,” she writes.
“I am aware that they are all together in Heaven, looking out for one another. Let’s continue to look out for one another while we’re still on this planet and never take a moment for granted to spend with our loved ones.
Soon after, Reba’s admirers rallied behind the country music icon.
Many folks sent prayers and good vibes.
“Reba I’ve always admired your music, our mutual love of horses, and now that I follow you on Instagram.May God bless you and your mother. A fan wrote.
Reba showed once more this year, in 2023, that she still grieves the terrible loss of her pals and that she will never forget them.
She posted a video of the group performing together along with the message, “Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on.”
I apologize, Reba. You are an amazing woman; stay strong. You make so many people happy that there is a reason God has preserved you on this planet. Keep grinning!
Leave a Reply