Six Years Since Canada Day Changed Forever

[theweaves_dad]

It was six years ago, July 1, 1996. I was in Port Dover with my lovely wife Lynda, camping at our trailer. That day we enjoyed the Canada Day parade as usual and then enjoyed the lovely weather with friends the rest of the day. Also on that day, my son Chris was at work at the casino and at night heard his aunt and uncle paged over the PA at the casino. He found it strange that both would be paged and not just the one of them... He finished work at 5:00 am and came home and went to bed.

It was on July 2, 1996 that I received a phone call on my cell from my sister saying her granddaughter, Amanda, had been in a horrific auto accident on July 1 and was killed almost instantly. She was in a car with friends and the car flipped several times and Amanda was ejected through the sunroof. She was 19 years old.

I drove home and woke Chris to tell him the news. A few days later we attended on of the largest funerals we had ever seen in our lives.

Chris remembers 300 LB football players coming out of the visitation and falling to their knees in sobs and tears. She touched so many in such a short time.

Every year on July 1, it is different now. Always will be different. She is remembered and never forgotten.

RIP Amanda Owen - A life taken way too early, a future never lived.... Still miss you.

[anisa]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[glowworm2k]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's so hard to lose family on what is normally a celebratory day; my Grandma's younger sister died on Christmas day in a car accident over 30 years ago now. Christmas day has since been, well, different for our family - just like Canada Day is for you. Take the time to remember your loved one, but also take some comfort in knowing that she touched so many and will undoubtedly be fondly remembered by your family, friends and community. All the best to you on this day.

[Natalka]

So sorry for your loss.

[avoncallingu]

I'm so sorry to hear about your tragic family loss. Every year when those dates come around, it hurts, especially when others are celebrating. I seems summer is the time when we lose so many young people! Healing thoughts sent your way!

[MortgageQueen]

Such a loss can be practically unbearable. .. what a terrible thing for the world to have lost Amanda. . .
I can only hope you find a little comfort in what Jesus showed he was capable of (resurrecting the dead) in Luke 7:12-16
. ¹² As he got near the gate of the city, why, look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only-begotten son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. ¹³ And when the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” ¹⁴ With that he approached and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still, and he said: “Young man, I say to you, Get up!” ¹⁵ And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and he gave him to his mother. ¹⁶ Now fear seized them all, and they began to glorify God, saying: “A great prophet has been raised up among us,” and, “God has turned his attention to his people.”

Then in John 5:28,29 it is said, "
. ²⁸ Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment."

I believe while the loss of our loved ones is terribly painful and sad, they are still "alive" in God's memory. . .every single aspect of them. He promised to bring them back and God "cannot lie" nor has he ever been proven to. . . Titus 1:2 "upon the basis of a hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting,"
What a blessing to have Amanda back again, both for her and for those who never got the chance to really know her.. . . .

[DiamondLil]

My condolences to you and your family.

[saveadollardiva]

So sorry for your lost May she rest in peace.

[Chantel]

So sad to hear At least you know this lovely young lady did touch so many in her short time here and that she won't be forgotten by any of them.

[Judstir]

Always a terrible loss to bear and such an unhappy remembrance, every year on the first of July. Sorry for your loss.