1 year ago today my niece Brittany took her own life in the Clark County Juvinile Detention Center. Since then changes have been made to ensure that this tragedy never happens again. With federal and state funds, Nevada has been abel to hire mental health workers who will be devoted to the cause of adolescent suicide prevention and awareness. Sine Brittany's death, her mother Lynette positively channeled her pain anger and grief to demand change in Nevada's deeply flawed mental healh system.
Today however we were gathered together; family and friends to finally lay Brittany to rest and to let go just a little bit. She will FOREVER be in the hearts and minds of all the lives she has touched and changed. Below is a account of the service and the emotions I felt during it.
It was a sunny but breezy spring morning. They were all there; family and friends to finally lay to rest their beloved daughter, sister and friend. They sat there thinking and reflecting on the memories of the dearly departed. As they sat, tears were shed and thoughts of the departed filled their minds and hearts. As the service progressed friends and family were asked to share their stories and how their lives have been affected. Music was played and poems read to honor her. We sat there thinking she should be here with us and that her death should not have happened.
After memories were shared and the last tear shed, they all assembled to say one last goodbye and she was finally laid to rest. They assembled one last time to release a baloon hoping it will reach her at her final resting place.
This is my final message to you Brittany. I hope your soul is finally at peace. I wish I could have reached out to you when I could have. I will have to live with that forever. Even in death you have had an impact on so many lives.
"You are now her angel dressed in white, You don't live in darkness but in Heaven's light." Marie A. Coppla
5 comments:
Marie--you and your family have my deepest sympathies...
sans
that was beautiful Marie. my deepest sympathies to you and family.
she may be with the Angels, but her spirit will forever remain in your hearts.
((((((((((((Marie & Family)))))))))))))
I'm sorry for your loss. Wish the changes had been in place sooner to prevent this tragedy, but hopefully someone else will be spared the heartache you and your family have gone through.
Take care,
Sid
All I can hope is that in feeling my own pain, and knowing Brittany felt it too, she never has to feel it again. She will never have to hurt ever again. She will be beautiful, loved, and without pain forever. That helps my heart when I think of my Eileen, too. Maybe they are there together... our angels.
Take care, hun. Thinkin' of you.
Marie,
Thank you for your words of love and hope. It was another day to put in my memories of days that will forever be in my heart.
Now it is time to kick some ass in Nevada when it comes to these issues. Once I sit on the Board for the State I will make sure things change.
Brittany would have learned a lot from you when it comes to writing. You have a way with words. Well, we are off to the opening of the new Red Rock Casino. Hope you are still saine after yesterday, the last day of tax season.
Talk to you soon!
Your sister-in-law,
Lynette
www.myangelbrittany.piczo.com
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