My Life Changed Forever on November 2nd

Little did I know that in the wee hours of November 2nd my life would change forever. While I was asleep in my apartment at school at the University of Texas, my dad, James was taking his last breath back home in Atlanta. My Dad died Thursday morning, November 2nd. I literally can’t even believe I’m typing this. While he was lying lifeless in an emergency room outside Atlanta, I was heading to practice as a rower for the University of Texas women’s rowing team. I had a great row that day and proceeded with the rest of my day. A couple of hours later, I received a bizarre text message offering sympathy from an unknown number based in Atlanta. I immediately called my mom telling her about it. My mom offered to help figure out who the text was from. A few minutes later, I figured out the sender was a friend of my dad’s. I called my mom back to tell her. Next, I called my dad to tell him about it, but the call went straight to voicemail. Meanwhile, I finished lunch and headed off to class. My mom texted me during class to say that she figured out what happened: ‘bad info’ was her response. I go about the rest of my day, another class followed by a ‘lift’ session. I grabbed dinner and headed back to my apartment. Despite my mom’s response, I had a sinking feeling the entire day. I tried to call my mom once again and her phone went straight to voicemail. And her phone never goes straight to voicemail. A couple of hours later, my boyfriend Caleb called to tell me that he ordered ice cream for me and that I had to go downstairs to pick it up. As soon as I stepped off the elevator, I saw my mom. Momentarily stunned, I said ‘hey, HEY what are you doing here…I gotta get my ice cream’. My mom pulled me to the side and said in a very calm voice, ‘there is no ice cream…there is no ice cream Hailey’. She pulled me close and cupped each side of my face and said, ‘I have to tell you something, Hailey’. I looked deeply into her eyes and my smile turned very quickly to horror. I said, “no, NO!”. She responded, “I know baby, I know, but Hailey, your dad is gone.” I let out a scream from deep within my soul. “Nooooooooo, I knew it…I KNEW it”. After that text message from earlier and my dad not returning my call, deep down I knew something was wrong. My mom helped me walk to her rental car where she proceeded to tell me that my Dad died that morning. She explained everything that happened since she found out at 7:15am. Her first and sole priority was to travel from Atlanta to Austin to tell me in person about my dad. Ever since I found out, my world has changed forever. And now as reality sets in, I’m beginning to think of all the ways in which my life has and will change. I no longer have a dad. I had a dad…a wonderful, hilarious dad. And while I have to process that fact, I also realize that I lost my primary provider. As I am completing the first semester of my senior year, my mind is overwhelmed thinking of how to financially cover unexpected expenses related to the loss of my dad that are bound to crop up. So, I’m asking for financial help from those that I know, perfect strangers, and anyone in between. Any amount, however big or small would truly mean the world to me. And make a huge difference.

This fundraising site has been reviewed and approved by the University of Texas. Donations made through this site will directly support Hailey Easterly’s expenses due to the unexpected loss of her father. The University of Texas fans, donors and staff are permitted to contribute. Funds raised are subject to specific parameters to ensure NCAA compliance and Hailey’s family will work closely with The University of Texas to ensure such compliance. Please contact the Texas Athletics Risk Management and Compliance Services office at [phone redacted] or [email redacted]xas.edu should you have any questions about NCAA rules as it relates to this fundraiser. Thank you in advance for your support and contribution.