I cannot tell you how many times I have sat down to write this in the last two days and couldn’t finish. I just couldn’t find the words. Saturday afternoon I studied budgeting with a classmate and, after staring at spread sheet after spread sheet for hours, I returned home with a migraine (go figure…). I went straight to bed at 7:30 pm and awoke to the sound of a text message a little after ten o’clock, and I asked my husband to grab my phone. He tried to convince me to ignore it until morning, but something told me it was important. So I read the message…
Have you heard the news about Lacey Locke?
Facebook news or actual news?
Channel 2 and 4…
I opened my laptop and typed Lacey Locke into the web browser and nervously hit the enter key. Nothing could have prepared me for what came up. “Husband charged with slitting wife’s throat in Hendersonville.” My heart sank, as I read the words over and over again, expecting them to somehow change. I didn’t sleep at all that night. How could this happen to one of my dear friends? How could I have not known something was wrong?
After returning home from a night out, Norm and Lacey got into a fight, and Norm proceeded to hold Lacey down and slice her throat, narrowly missing her jugular by a mere millimeter. He left her there to die while he retreated to their backyard and slit his own wrists, and Lacey somehow managed to call 911. Norm was given brief medical attention and then taken into police custody on attempted murder charges, and Lacey was life flighted to Vanderbilt, where she underwent surgery. I am happy to report Lacey has been discharged from the hospital and is getting well among family and friends. Her physical recovery is going well, but her fight is far from over. A former stay-at-home mom, Lacey has three little girls who depend on her for support, and none of their lives will ever be the same. She now must start completely over, and she truly has an uphill climb ahead of her.
Why did this happen?
How will she explain this tragedy to her girls?
Where will she find the strength to learn from this and move forward?
I am beside myself because I know I don’t have answers to the tough questions that Lacey is facing. There are some things with which I know I just cannot help. Thankfully, there are other ways I can help. You – friends, family, neighbors, even total strangers – you can help.
An account has been established at US Bank in Lacey’s name to help with medical expenses, housing/bills, child care, etc. If you live out of state and do not have a US Bank branch nearby, you may mail a check to:
US Bank Branch CN-TN-1707
1711 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
Be sure to designate “Lacey Locke Account” in the comments area and endorse the back of the check. Be advised that your contribution is a gift and is not tax deductible.
Please let this be your good deed today.
Rhonda Vaughn said,
July 12, 2011 at 7:12 pm
I use to work with beautiful Lacey at AT&T. She is a beautiful person inside and out. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family as she struggles through this battle! Thanks for letting us know where to donate!
Dana said,
July 13, 2011 at 12:16 am
Well written Sarah. We are praying for her and those precious girls!