And life went on, but so did Willow's overwhelming affect on everyone who had known her. A memorial for her was said at church the following Sunday. One kind woman came to me after church was over and told me how she envisioned Willow up in Heaven, hanging off Jesus' arm just as she often would ride on mine, with Jesus looking down, shaking his head, and thinking, "Karen, now, now, I will care for her until you meet again!" Cards and sympathetic words came in droves. As a tribute to the love she created, I planned an event for all the teens at the center she had touched. I made calls and prayed. The date was set for Good Friday of Easter weekend. Normally, 30 - 50 teens attended the center the evenings it was open, I prayed for them all to show up. Nothing was said to any of them about the occasion until that evening. As the evening progressed, 60 - 70 teens showed up. We spread the word that we had an event planned for them in the gym next door after their first "outside break". You could hear the excited buzz of voices, thinking an Easter egg hunt or similar event was to occur. Little did they know what I had planned for them! We herded them into the gymnasium. Now, you need to realize that the age spread was 13 to 19, and all 60+ kids shuffled in. When they began to settle down enough for me to speak to them, I asked that they all move to one end of the gym and get comfy sitting on the floor. You could see and feel the anticipation emanating from each of them. I then asked for quiet, and reminded them I had a touch of laryngitis, so could they be real quiet so as to hear me. Eyes darted back and forth, what was up?
I began, "Guys, You all know how much we loved Willow, and how much a part of our family she was, and how I consider all of you part of my family too. I want to share some things with you tonight. We lost Willow through no fault of her own. I am aching with pain with the loss. I don't want to have to loose any of you because of drugs, alcohol, std's (sexually transmitted diseases), car accidents, or guns so..... I want to read something to you and then I have invited some guests to speak to you! And out of respect for Willow and myself, I'd like you all to listen to them."
 |
The copyright of the article A Tribute To Willow in Primates is owned by . Permission to republish A Tribute To Willow in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
