GirlTalk

As a journalist, it becomes pretty rare to become shocked or have emotional reactions to things that happen everyday in our world. There are stories that get to you a little more than others, for sure, but most only manage to get a few seconds of your time before you rationalize and move on.

Last week, however, one story really got me.

The News Virginian covered the sudden and unexpected death of a 14-year-old freshman at Waynesboro High School. Lindsay Hyson was waiting for a ride at a local drive-through restaurant when her friend’s mother, who was there to pick the girls up, accidentally slipped her foot off the break of her SUV while Lindsay was in front of it. The SUV pinned Lindsay to the wall of the restaurant and she died in the hospital later that night.

I left work the night of the accident with the last word saying Lindsay was in the hospital being treated for injuries. I was beyond shocked when I came into work the next day to find out she died. I didn’t see it coming. The whole incident was such a freak accident, so odd in how it happened and in timing, as she was to perform in a ballet that same weekend. As I read our news reports on the incident and the follow-up stories telling about this girl’s life and the memorial service at the high school on Sunday, I felt, for the first time in a very long time, truly saddened.

At the same time, I was touched after reading Jimmy LaRoue’s story on Sunday’s memorial service and all the wonderful things people said about her. One comment, from close friend Sarah Kate Gottschalk, especially moved me:

“ ‘Lindsay believed that homework was optional, but that happiness was mandatory,“ Sarah Kate said. “She wanted everyone to be happy.“ It was as if “Lindsay knew she had to pack a lifetime of friendship and happiness into just 14 years,“ Sarah Kate said.“

The story also said that on Dec. 11, the morning Lindsay died, she had given a letter to Sarah Kate telling her how grateful she was for her friendship:

“I just wanted to say you are truly my complete best friend. I can trust you with anything, and I know you’re always honest with me. I love knowing that there is always someone there for me that I can go to for anything. You’re my main source of laughter in life. I don’t know how I could ever have lived without you. You helped me through middle school, and you’re currently helping me through high school. You make these teenage years great. We’re going to be friends until we die. I love you, Sarah Kate ...“

It got me thinking, how often to we fail to tell the most important people in our lives how much we appreciate them? I admire Lindsay for being the kind of person who remembered to. I feel happy in knowing her life was filled with the most important things: friends, family, hapiness and love.

I see this tragic event as a symbol to all of us to remember how blessed we all are, and to see Lindsay’s zest for life and commitment to happiness as an example of what we should all strive for, and are all capable of, as we go through our own lives.

Especially during tough times like the ones many of us are facing today, it’s important to remember these things. It’s important to always be gratious of everything we have - whether it is our family, friends, a home, a job or as simple as a sunny day - and remember that love and hapiness are both something we should all pack into our lives as much and as often as we can. Lindsay, as young as she was, understood this and her life proved it. That fact shines through to me though I didn’t know her at all.

With Lindsay in mind, and also as the holidays approach, I have made a goal for myself to make a list of the things I am grateful for and read it every day when I wake up in the morning to remind myself how blessed I am. It has been, as I am sure it has been for many people, difficult for me to remember to practice gratitude lately, so I am thankful to be reminded. I have also decided, in part in honor of Lindsay, to write letters to the people in my life that matter the most - my mother, father, sister and good friends - to tell them how much I admire them and what they mean to me. I plan to give the letters out for Christmas. I encourage others to do the same this year and share your experiences with us here by commenting on this entry.