I feel, almost odd, blogging about this. I didn't know Mandy Johnson super well personally, but for some reason this tragic accident has stuck with me. I know most of you that have access to read this blog knew Mandy and know her family and might be feeling the same way. Because I didn't know her well personally I wasn't sure if I should even be "allowed" to write something in her memory. I am hoping that by writing down a few of my thoughts I am not in any way offending anyone.
Mandy was 3 years younger than me in high school, but instead of only knowing her as someone younger than me that I may have known their name but nothing more, I have a distinct impression of the kind of person I believed her to be. I envied her. How often does that happen in high school? When I was a senior she would have been a Freshman (I think), and I envied this girl. She had it all from what I could tell. I never saw her with anything but a smile on her face. She was gorgeous, and not only on the outside. You could see her testimony on her face from a mile away. She was popular, but also seemed to be one of those popular kids who had time, and not only that, but a desire to talk to anyone who may have needed a bright spot in their day. She was definitely a bright spot in anyone's day.
Dave knows the family of the boy she had just gotten engaged to and commented to me that the kid was pretty amazing. I responded that he must of been because of the person she was. I am so sad for him as well. To have just asked someone to be your eternal companion and have something like this happen must be absolutely devastating. In a way though, I hope he is comforted in knowing that that very act of proposing made her last actions, thoughts, and words on this earth full of the most amazing excitement that a young girl can feel. I imagine she spent much of that day retelling the story of the proposal, discussing wedding plans and showing off her ring to her co-workers.
My prayers are with the Johnson family and the others who are devastated by this loss.
For anyone who hasn't taken the chance to visit the blog in memory of the medical team and pilot, you can visit it here: http://www.cedarcondolences.blogspot.com/
For my non-Hurricane readers you can read the story and see a picture of Mandy here. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=4092033
2 comments:
Mandy WAS amazing and I think a lot of people envied her personality and they way she was always so kind to everyone. She will definitely be missed.
Kim, I couldn't agree more. I was new to Hurricane so I didn't know a lot of people in the younger or older grades, having not grown up there. However when I got the call from my cousin Nikki who was extremely close to Mandy... As soon as she said Mandy Johnson I instantly pictured her face. I don't know how I remembered her but I did. She stuck out in school. From only living there two years I definitely remember her and her brightness. I enjoyed your words, thanks for posting them.
Post a Comment