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| When I found this graphic set I immediately knew it was perfect for a page in honor of Cara Anne Delmae Shotwell. Cara's life was much too brief for those who love her ...... but maybe that is because she so quickly learned the lessons so many of us struggle with. Cara was truly a guiding light to those who knew her. She was a sweet, loving girl who knew Jesus and lived her life in a way that I know made him smile down upon her. She loved children ... she spent so much of her free time with my daughter although there was a 7 year gap in their ages. She was a friend to all of the neighborhood children. Cara had dreams of working with deaf children someday. She was already learning sign language. Because of her love for children, she was a helper to our Brownie girlscout troop. Cara's death is a devasating loss not only to those who knew her but to those who lost the chance to ever meet her. The world lost so much on June 18, 1994! On that spring day Cara's mother gave her permission to go the lake with my husband, my 7 year old daughter Christina and my 2 year old son Jason. My sister, her husband and her kids were with us too. Donna's son Christopher was 9 and her daughter Amanda was 4. Shortly after launching our boat into the water ... before it was even cranked and away from shore ... a drunken boater slammed into our boat. Through the chaos and confusion ... through the endless screams from myself and others .... I saw Cara laying in the bottom of our boat. My niece Mandy floated in the water while her father swam to her. She floated within reach of the man who caused this devastation but he never reached out to her. He was far too busy sinking beer bottles into the water to attempt to save any of the lives he so recklessly brought to an end. We were immediately surrounded by other boats with people taking the uninjured children off our boat and to shore. Our boat was pulled to shore while Cara was given CPR. Unfortunately all of the prayers, tears and breaths were unsuccessful. Mandy and Cara both died from injuries sustained in this wreck. Neither one regained consciousness at all. I will never forget the sight of Cara's mother arriving at the hospital only to hear the crushing news of her baby's death. As she dropped to her knees I remember a rush of guilt washing over me ... drowning me. I took her child with me for a day of fun ... and I failed her. Soon after that Cara's mother Barbara took me into her arms .... and I know now where Cara's goodness came from. I expected hatred from this woman. I didn't bring her baby home safely. I hated myself ... how could she not hate me? If there was any bitterness toward me she never let me see it. I was drowning in my guilt and grief and her love toward me ... toward my daughter who lived ... was a gift I can never repay. The man who devastated so many people and stole so many dreams served 3 1/2 years for the deaths of two children. Our sentence is a lifetime sentence. Even now as I write this on June 15, 2002 ... almost 8 years to the date since Cara and Mandy died ... I think of them daily. Not long after their deaths I dreamed I was alone in a garden and sitting on a bench when Cara came to me. She gently told me not to grieve anymore. She told me it was her choice to go. She told me in this dream that Mandy was afraid and that she guided her and held her hand as they went into the light. She softly kissed my cheek and then she was gone. Perhaps this was just a dream. Or maybe it was a gift from an angel named Cara to help me find my way toward some peace. I felt like she was guiding me just as she had guided Mandy. I remember one of the young men who tried to save Cara dropping to his knees and sobbing after the paramedics arrived and took over his efforts. Like me, this young man was touched by and will never forget this remarkable little girl. You are loved and missed Cara. |
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| Thank you to all of the wonderful people at MADD. Your support, comfort, advice and love is greatly appreciated! Please doubleclick the above link to go to MADD's website. |
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| This picture was taken at a Brownie Girl Scout program. Cara was the Junior leader for our troop. My daughter Christina and my niece Mandy, who died with Cara, were members. |
| This school picture was taken shortly before Cara's death. |
| This picture is a little older. It was taken approximately one year before Cara died. It is one of the few pictures I have of Cara with both of my kids, Christina and Jason. The quality of the picture is not very good but I cherish this photo. |
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| This is Amanda Nicole Trantham. Mandy is my beautiful niece who died with Cara on June 18, 1994. If you would like to see Mandy's page, please doubleclick on her picture. |
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| If you loved me you would be MADD too! |
| Cara Ann Delmae Shotwell August 14, 1980 - June 18, 1994 |
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| I'm Free Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I head Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. Author unknown |
| If tears could build a stairway And memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again - Author Unknown |
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| Thank you AOMW for this beautiful award! If you have a favorite memorial site you would like to vote for please click on the above award and cast your vote! |
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