Today is the 2 year anniversary of the death of a young woman, killed when a tire flew off of a truck and smashed through the windshield of her car. She was driving on the beltway near Washington DC, on her way to a doctor’s appointment because she was pregnant with her first child. She and her unborn child were killed instantly.
Channing’s mother Tracy has become a friend of mine; she’s someone I never would have met if it weren’t for our common tragedy. A couple of days ago Tracy emailed to remind us all of the anniversary coming up and to ask us to wear purple, Channings favorite color, in her honor today.
All day long Channing has been on my mind. And as the TV and radio celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s inaugural it occurred to me that two years ago was President Obama’s inaugural. And that Channing was driving in Washington DC on that historic day. That she died on that historic day. Somehow that made the loss worse, though I don’t know why. To die on a day of such excitement and expectation seems so wrong. Of course it all seems so wrong.
All day long today I noticed other people wearing purple. People who didn’t know Channing’s story, people that don’t even know my story. And each time I caught a glimpse of purple I thought of her, and the waste of potential that is her loss.
Tonight I’ll be emailing Channing’s mom, offering her my condolences, and knowing it isn’t enough. Knowing that nothing will ever be enough.
Here’s to Channing’s family today. May they be comforted that we haven’t forgotten her, and that her spirit lives with us all.
Change Is Hard 
January 20, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Are prayers and thoughts are with you and Ms. Channing. There are many senseless tragedies in this world.
Essex & Deacon
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January 20, 2011 at 11:38 pm
I wore purple today–it was a coincidence, but I’m glad to dedicate it in retrospect to her memory.
I had a friend who died suddenly in her 40s. On September 11. We were all so stunned, we figured we’d remember 9-11 forever. The following year, a whole different thing happened on 9-11. Those date juxtapositions can be hard.
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January 21, 2011 at 2:47 am
I also wish to send some thoughts and a prayer to you , Channing and her mom, what a senseless tragedy for Channing and her unborn child
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January 21, 2011 at 5:22 am
Such an awful thing to happen. It is nice to mark her passing with something like the wearing purple. I really hope that your campaigning makes a big difference and things like this can be avoided.
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January 21, 2011 at 5:43 am
I’d like to send my prayers and thoughts to you, Channing and her family too. We all hope the world can be more peaceful and people are more caring and friendly.
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January 21, 2011 at 5:49 am
Thank you everyone…and Ellen, I’m sorry about your friend. It’s so hard.
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January 21, 2011 at 5:57 am
I wore purple yesterday!
Do you know what our lunch conversation was about? Things flying through windshields and injuring people! No lie.
Channing’s spirit may be more powerful than anyone realizes.
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January 21, 2011 at 6:27 am
Sara, Really?? Well that was Channing for sure! 🙂
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January 21, 2011 at 7:13 am
wow, how horrible. Im not sure how people go on after the death of their children. Thoughts and prayers to her family.
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January 21, 2011 at 7:47 am
Terrible tragedy. My thoughts are with Channing and her family.
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January 21, 2011 at 9:20 am
I will wear lavender (closest I have) and watch what colors I see on other people today. Love to you all!
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January 21, 2011 at 10:55 am
I just makes me so angry sometimes, I see all the fuss news channels make about someone being shot and yet how many people die on the roads each day – and does anyone make a fuss over that – do they REALLY do anything to try and lessen the statistics?
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January 21, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I am wearing purple today, and like Ellen, will dedicate that to Channing’s memory, today and each day that I wear purple. The really sad thing is, even when there are laws that might have protected someone the enforcement of those laws is problematic.
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January 21, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Yes Carol, the enforcement IS problematic! I’m working with the Truck Safety Coalition to try to get some of the laws fixed…AND to get onboard recorders that will at least make it more difficult for drivers to fudge their logs. Thanks for bringing up an important aspect.
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January 21, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Dawn, you wonderful friend, you … Thank you so much for your amazingly loving spirit. And … to everyone who blogged and wore purple … Wow!!! You all are so wonderful! Please accept my HUGE Thanks! Yes, losing my beautiful daughter (my best friend) so suddenly and so tragically is the absolute toughest thing I’ve ever had to go through in my life. Quite frankly … it is horrible! We try to stay strong and I want you to know that my load is lightened by Wonderful People Like You!!!! Thank You for your warm thoughts and prayers! Hugs to All!
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January 21, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Tracy has friends willing to share her memories and her pain….her life will never be the same; but it will help her live through the pain and move towards a life that is “different.” Some people believe the color purple represents spirit.
I love this Winnie the Pooh quote…..
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. i’ll always be with you.”
♥
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January 21, 2011 at 9:52 pm
I’m so sorry.
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January 25, 2011 at 6:13 pm
We need to appreciate today so much…tomorrow it could be all over. Blessings to this family, and blessings to you, too.
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