Mandy - forever in our hearts
It happened on a perfectly sunny Saturday. My brother and his family (wife-Donna, Son-Chris Ray-8, And Mandy-4, along with Donna's sister-Becky, Becky's husband-Ben, and there kids, Tina-6, Jason-3) all went boat riding. They asked a family friend to go as well, her name is(was) Kara-13. She had never been on a boat before and she had a fit to go.
Mandy and Kara were sitting next to each other with Tina in
the middle of them. They always were close to each other. A man named Walter Brigman and his friend were in the Wal-Mart Bass tournament at Lake Athens here in Texas. They had alot of beer in the boat and just was not looking and ran over our boat. The impact hit Kara in back of the head. Donna was hit in the face and knocked a few of her teeth out and disfigured her face so badly she has several surguries due to this and she also
sustained severe nerve damage to her arm. The propeller caught Mandy by her waist-length White hair and tore her up badly. We wanted everyone to see what Drinking And Driving can do. We were on TV several times. Due to this the boating laws in TX have changed
and we got them to enter his boat as a lethal weapon in the trial, he got 3yrs for two little girls lives, that's it. He's already out living free, and we will never see them again.
My brother was hit with the boat but he is 6'4 and weighs 300lbs. He just got scratched up badly. My nephew Chris's leg was badly bruised and scraped. Ben got a bad injury but no one else was hurt physcally just mentally. Those kids saw stuff that day that aduls should not see. Cara died on the site and Mandy died 45 min after they Careflighted her to Tyler, TX. She died all alone in a strange hospital. They would not let her Aunt Becky
go with her.
I remember when I got that call about 3:30 P.M. on Sat. June 18th. That was the worst day of my life.
Read Donna's Impact Statement
Letter From Heaven
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you.
It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.
I need you here badly, you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go....from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
The Tiny Rosebud
The Master gardener from heaven above
Planted a seed in the garden of love.
And from there it grew a rosebud small
That never had time to open at all.
For God in his perfect and all wise way
Chose this rose for his heavenly bouquet.
And great was the joy of this tiny rose
To be the one our Father chose.
To leave earth's gardens for one on high,
Whose roses bloom always
And never die.
So while you can't see your precious rose bloom,
You know The Great Gardener from the "Upper Room"
Is watching and tending this wee rose with care,
Tenderly touching each petal so fair.
So think of your darlings with the angels above,
Secure and contented and surrounded by love.
And remember God blessed and enriched your lives too
For in dying your darling brought heaven close to you.
Author unknown
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