I am a woman who gave birth to and raised four beautiful daughters. My husband and I are very proud of them. My name? It doesn’t matter. I’ve always been Mom or Mommy.
Now today, all of our daughters are Mommy’s. All of them except one.
One of my daughters never got the chance to have her own child call her Mommy.
One of my daughters never got the chance to have her own family. She never got the chance to see her own daughters’ first tooth cut through, or take her first steps.
One of my daughters never got the chance to cuddle and comfort her own child; she never got to experience all that life had to offer.
According to the World Health Organization, the average life expectancy of a woman in Canada is 82 years old.
One of my daughters only got to live to be 18 1/2 years old. Her life ended one balmy evening in December 2012. One moment she was laughing and anticipating coming home to her family. Unfortunately, in a split second, because of a drunk driver, her soul departed her body. She was hit from behind and she didn’t even get the chance to even try to save her life.
The irresponsibility of one person ended my daughter’s life. He ended another boys’ life, and has traumatized the life of the surviving young man forever.
This is not what I want to be writing. I should be writing out Christmas cards. Instead, here I am telling you all how my four daughters never got the chance to grow old together and to bury their parents together.
Instead, my husband, our three surviving daughters, our siblings, our aunts, uncles, cousins and friends all had to bury our youngest daughter.
Her name was Yegwenyes Delta Rayne Martin. The other boy that was killed was William Randy Harris.
So folks, as you go about your business this holiday season, don’t just think of yourself. The world does not revolve around you. There are many people around you, and their lives are just as valuable as yours.
Don’t drive impaired. Train yourself to NEVER drive if you have consumed ANY alcohol or drugs. Don’t text while driving. Train yourself to either safely pull over to use your cell phone or better yet, put it away.
We needed Gwen and William. We need every single one of the 4-5 people who are killed by drunk drivers every day in Canada! Do you think it only happens to people on TV or on YouTube video productions? Think again!
Don’t be that person. Don’t drive impaired and don’t let anyone drive impaired.
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