The last time I saw our daughter was April 11, 2003. She stopped by our house about lunch time to wash some clothes, and get some money to pay a couple of bills, a typical college freshman. We had lunch together and she told me of her plans for the summer and the next fall. She was full of energy, forward thinking, and excited about the upcoming summer and her second year at Georgia State. When she got ready to leave we hugged and told each other "I love you". We were saying goodbye for the last time but at the time we did not know it was the last time. There was no premonition of what was to come. 

April 12, 2003, was a beautiful spring day. After working in the yard about 1:30PM, I was going into the house to have lunch, when a police and an unmarked car stopped in front of the neighbor's house paused and them topped in front of our house. I could not imagine why, but stopped at the garage door. I recognized out pastor Larry Wynn, who is also a Gwinnett County Police and Fire chaplain. Larry was with a police officer, I know this could not be good; but my mind would not let me think the worst. 

We went in the house and sat down. Then those words "Your daughter has been in an accident" and before Larry could finish my mind jumped ahead-oh no! She has been seriously injured and the rest of the statement "she didn't make it". It felt like being punched in the stomach. All I could say was "What happened"?

Things have not been the same since that day. Out church, friends, and family have been a great comfort. Deep down the only thing that consoles us in knowing that Anna is with the Lord. She will not come back to us, but we will go to be with her.

In January 2004, the other driver, who as also nineteen at the time of the accident (the same age as Anna) was charged with vehicular homicide, and they say it will be a year before the case is settled. This is mentioned to point out that two young lives, and the lives of two families have been changed forever.