Lives interwoven
I don't know why I am writing this nor what has led me to do so. I never met Deanna or her family, didn't attend her school and I do not live in her town. At the time of Deannas accident, I was 14 years old and in 8th grade at Hauppauge Middle School. I remember hearing and reading about the incident, but what struck me was her school photo on the cover on Newsday on March 15th, 1991. That day happens to be my birthday, though just a coincidence I guess. I was in a group of middle schoolers that used to read to younger students and the girl I read to looked so similar to Deanna (I had read to this student during the prior year). Perhaps that was the first connection or maybe I was just more sensitive and aware of our mortality at a younger age than most.
I remember being profoundly saddened by Deanna's passing and for some reason, over the years, her name and her face have come into my mind from time to time. I am now 36 and a proud father of an 8 year old and a 3 year old girl. Being a parent, I am now extremely aware of what parents go through in the loss of a child. I know how the lives of Deanna's parents, siblings and extended family must have been divided into two pieces; Before her passing and after. If her parents or siblings happen to read this, I want to properly extend my condolences and pay respect to the loss and memory of you daughter/ sister. By this point, I am probably rambling in my writing so I will move to sum it up.. I never knew Deanna but in some strange way and for some unknown reason, her memory has been etched in my mind for the last 22 years. Not in some strange or weird way, but rather as a subltle, gentle reminder from time to time throughout my life. Why this is, I have no answer. Nevertheless, I just want you to know that her memory lives in places you never knew existed. God bless you all and I hope you have found peace in your lives. This Thanksgiving, I am sure she will be there with you as she is and has been each and every day.