R.I.P. Arielle Rose

[storytimewithjoe]

A group of crazy kids had gone out to party in L.A.  Who can blame them?  That's what kids (of all ages) do.

By 3:00am, they had had all the fun they planned on having.  It was time to pile back into the car, and begin the arduous trip home.  They were young.  They were responsible.  They were awake.  They were sober.

Sadly, the driver of the other car was not.  The other driver stepped behind the wheel having had too much to drink.  The other driver entered the highway on an off-ramp and ended up on the wrong side of the highway.  The other driver slammed into them.

The boys in the back seat were injured, but at least they survived.  The girls in the front... not so fortunate.

I had met Arielle only twice.  She was helping her mom's catering business at the time.  Of course, the catering involved both my 40th birthday and our church wedding reception.  Her mother, Karen, is an absolute HOOT!  She used to be a co-worker of Paul's until she decided to call it quits to start her own catering business.  Paul had recommend that we meet.  When it came to our wedding, I let Paul call most of the shots, but I refused to give up control when it came to the food.  Serious foodie that I was, I wasn't about to let a perfect stranger make the decisions.  We met, and we hit it off from the start.  Karen is also a serious foodie.  She just... she GETS it.  She is an outrageously grand women who swears like a m$*&%er f$*%in' sailor, who knows her way in the kitchen.  I have met a lot of cooks in my life (some of whom actually CAN cook).  But of that bunch, there are only a handful of people who really "get it" when it comes to cooking.  Karen is one of them, and it looked like her daughter was following in her footsteps.

20 years old.  This kind of thing just shouldn't happen. 

In the program book, a poem written by Arielle earily relayed a message to friends and family from beyond the grave.  Written as part of a poetry project in high school, the poem served as its own eulogy.  I can't even imagine.

The church was packed.  I can honestly say I've never seen such an interesting combination of people - Friends and Family, Military, and more Goths than I've seen since the last time I was in Ybor.  One thing for sure - Arielle was well-loved by all.

My hubby and I need a vacation.  I'm just really tired of death lately.

Comments

[tasuskind.livejournal.com]

I had heard about that accident. How tragic, especially knowing that you knew one of the victims. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

[gottasing.livejournal.com]

How awful! **hugs** to you and Paul.

[flaming-mo.livejournal.com]

Years ago in high school, I lost a good friend due to a drunk driver. My sister had two very close calls due to drunk/stoned drivers. I have no pity for the perps. If there is a fatality, hard time, period.

My heart really goes out to that mother. To lose a child is a tragedy no parent gets over.

Buck up guys, there's still some goodness in this world.

[joeguppy.livejournal.com]

As if it could get any worse, this is the second child Karen is burying.

teary eyed

[(Anonymous)]

That is a tragic loss, I am so very sorry.
Love Jet