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Monday,
December 27, 1999 |
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[NewBug]
I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: Mitch Perry |
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Katherine
Anne Perry (Katie) Born
March 24,1982 Went to heaven December 25, 1999 Age
17, Senior at The Cottage School in Roswell, Georgia In
Lieu of sending flowers,
there is a trust at her school: The Cottage School 700 Grimes
Bridge Road Roswell,
Georgia 30075 770 641 8688 The
funeral will be Weds 1pm at: Elliott
Sons Funeral Home 2524
Lumpkin Road Augusta,
Georgia 706-793-0123 Memorial
Service in Roswell, Georgia at: St.
David’s Episcopal Old
Roswell Road Monday
January 3, 2000 7pm Katie
was always my angel and even though she hits some bumps in the road, I
always loved her. I miss her so much. She was so happy the last few days
of her life, she was excited about going to college, enjoyed being with me
and life in general. She just glowed with love and joy. Katie
was with me for about 10 days over the holidays. We had a great time,
going the Zoo for the light display and McWayne Center & Imax. Then we
left Thursday for my parents in Florida for the few days and then on to
Panama City for two days, before going back home. We had a great trip down
and after midnight on Christmas Eve Katie opened one of her presents, a
Pikachu. Then I got sick and
spent all day Christmas Eve in bed. But Katie spent time with her
grandparents and was so happy. Christmas I was still sick, but got up to
open presents. About noon we headed for Panama City. We went up I-75 to
I-10, I drove until we got to the interstate and then let Katie drive,
since she was not good with a 5 speed. I was nodding off occasionally, but
Katie was talking non-stop about her life. She was so excited her
grandfather showed her how to shoot an air gun. Then we stopped for fuel
and she was so proud of herself that she was able to shift through the
gears without stalling or jerking the car. I was so proud of her too. We
probably had only been back on the road about 50 minutes or so, when I
guess Katie fell asleep at the wheel. I woke up when we ran off the road
and realized we were going to hit a callbox post. It was just a few
seconds before we hit it, Katie never made a sound, never tried to avoid
it, and I never saw her, even though she was sitting next to me. When we
hit the post, the car started to flip, reportedly 5 times, when it
stopped, it was upside-down, I unfastened my seat belt and looked over at
Katie, but could not see her because of the airbags and she never made a
sound. I crawled out of the window and passed out. When I woke up again
the paramedics where putting a board under me. I asked about Katie and was
only told that other people were working on her. Finally in the emergency
room, the doctor told me that she was gone, but died instantly. I
am generally ok, minor cuts and bruises, I just wish that pole had hit the
right front corner rather than the left front corner. I still can't
believe she is gone. I love her so much and I now have a huge whole in my
heart. To
Katie please save me a place with you, I hope to see you in the future
someday again. I hope those wings fit ok. Love, Dad |
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(no
subject) From: Ester Brock <brocks@efn.org> |
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Mitch, I
don't know what to say. Except
that I am soo sorry for you and our thoughts and prayers are with you now. Ester |
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bad
news From: “Howie Lipton" <isetahow@idirect.com> |
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Hi
Mitch. We
are very shocked to hear of the bad news!
It's like losing a member of the family, because Katie was. I
will write you later. I'm
sure you are very busy with other things right now.
This is just a short note to express our wishes and sadness. Howie |
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................ From: "David W. Allen" <davida@airmail.net> |
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My
God, Mitch. I just heard the news about the accident. You have my deepest
sympathies ... I don’t really know what to say - it's such a shock.
Please let me know if there's anything I can do. I'll
send another note when I can figure out what to say - but my heart is with
you. |
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Katie From:
UB45@aol.com |
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Mitch, I
want to offer my sincere condolences of the loss of Katie. What a
beautiful young woman she was!!! She brought joy and pleasure to people
she had never met with her posts to the list and sunshine into the lives
of those who met her. Please
let me know if there is anything I can do for you. My thoughts &
prayers are with you and your family. Debbie
(NewBug list) |
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Re:
I lost my Angel on Christmas day
"Pat Elliott" <pelliott@bcbsal.org> |
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Mitch, This
is beautiful. We know how
much you loved her. We are
hurting with you. |
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Re:
I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: Dhxon@aol.com |
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Mitch, Thank
you for this beautiful message. I
love you and I wish you to know the message that you sent to all has been
well received. You are a
beautiful person with more missions in life. We know Katie is with us
every minute. We pray that the loneliness ceases and that it is replaced
with a bright light. My
thoughts are with you as I continue to say prayers for all of you. With
love, @nnie |
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(no
subject)
"August Branchesi" <muja@visi.net> |
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Mitch, I
am very sorry for your loss. I
try to believe that our maker has some sort of plan and that there is a
reason why things like this happen. I
know its difficult. Hang
in there Mitch. |
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Re:[NewBug]I
lost my Angel on Christmas day
"Steve Meister" <the.meisters@erols.com> |
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Mitch,
our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies go out to you today. I am so
sorry to hear about this; meeting you and Katie was one of our fondest
memories of this past summer. If there is ANYTHING we can do, please let
us know. All
the best, Steve
& Christiane Meister |
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Re:
I lost my Angel on Christmas day "Donald
Blair" <dblair@bcbsal.org> |
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Mitch, I
practically don't know you at all except through E-mail.
I don't have a daughter or even a child.
I can't even grasp what you're feeling.
All I can offer is to pray for you periodically while you adjust.
You've clearly got a good perspective, but that isn't going to make
it easier to deal with. I
hurt so much for you even though I can't imagine your despair. Just know that there are people thinking of you . . . Thanks, Donald |
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RE:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: TPearson@MADISONDM.COM |
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oh
mitch, i am so sorry. i'm sitting here reading this and not believing it.
you were just telling us all about your wonderful travels with her this
summer... i cannot believe it. i'm sitting here at my desk at work in
shock, and very choked up about your news. i don't know what to say. i'm
just so sorry. just know i'm thinking of you and your family. i feel that
hole in your heart from here. my
sincerest sympathies, tabby |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day From:
"Laura" <llgrafix@concentric.net> |
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May
God watch over Your Angel, and now our angel, too. Mitch, I'm so sorry to
hear of your terrible loss, I have a daughter of 16, Amanda, and worry
constantly about her, even though she lives with her father, And I know
the grief you are going through. Thank you for sharing her wonderful
personality with us on the list, she will be missed by us all. Much
Love and Sympathy, Laura
and Cricket |
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Re:
I lost my Angel on Christmas day From:
SunnyLChan@aol.com |
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Oh
my God, what happened to your lovely daughter?
We have no idea! We
don't know what to say any more, we are very sorry to hear the sad news on
the loss of your daughter. I
remembered I met her at your Christmas party two years ago, she was a
beautiful and bright young lady. Why
God is so unfair? She has a
great future ahead of her, why it has to taken away from her at such a
young age. With our deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one,
may God lead her into heaven, she will be an angel in our heart too. Sincere
condolence, Sunny
and Linda. |
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Re:[NewBug]I
lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: "Carter" <acarter@techline.com> |
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Mitch,
there are no words to express my profound sadness for you.
As a parent of teenagers myself, I can only imagine how horrible
this must be for you. I will not say that I understand because I don't.
I wish there was something that I could say that would help but I
am at a loss for words. I will pray for you and yours during this time.
My heart is bleeding for you. Take care and let us know how you are
doing. Judy |
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Re:
I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: "Amie Wiggins" <awiggins@bcbsal.org> |
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Mitch,
I know that nothing I say can relieve your sadness or sense of loss, but
please know that you and your family are in my prayers. Please let me know
if there's anything I can do for you. With
love, Amie |
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Good
Morning!! From: Inez E Hendrix <mscricket@juno.com> |
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Hi
honey we both thought that was a sweet message of Katie and we will praise
her for being so brave to try to drive.
She was helping you to get well and don’t worry about that she
was doing her part. She
is sleeping in peace and with the Lord with all the other Angels and I
know she probably did not know what happen and no pain. Had she been save
she might have been an invalid and not telling what other things.
So the Dear Lord know best. Hope you will be over the flu and the
bruises and take care of yourself and we love you and Shirley with all our
heart and hope you all have a happy life to meet her. Write
me did you get your Lap comp ok?? With
prayers Cricket
and Shorty |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day From:
Randy Carlson <bugnbox@earthlink.net> |
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What
do you write when you are in shock? I
had the pleasure of meeting Mitch and Katie on their trip out west and sat
during our lunch and talked with Katie in length about her plans for the
future and her views on life. I must say she was one of the most vibrant
humans I have ever met. Her excitement about life and what lay ahead of
her was like watching fireworks on the 4th of July. I'll
make this short, as I am certain this thread will be a popular one, as
Mitch and Katie are both well known members of the list.... Katie,
thanks for the bright light you shined on me during our brief visit. This
picture of youth and excitement is the way you will be remembered by me,
as I am sure you will be remembered by many. Mitch
and family (insert hug here) I am so very sorry to hear of this crazy turn
of events and your incredible loss. I am not a wildly religious man, but
you have my prayers and love. I am certain you have the love and prayers
of the powers that be as well. Grab on to them and let them give you the
strength to cope and carry on. God
bless you all.. Sincerely Randy
Carlson |
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[NewBug]
Special request From: "David W. Allen" <davida@airmail.net> |
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Let's
interrupt normal mail list traffic and everyone who has a special memory
of Katie Perry please relate your story. I know lots of you have met Mitch
and Katie on their many cross-country treks. Here's mine: I
was friends with Mitch and Katie - met them on their cross-country tour
last spring. We spent two great days caravaning and sightseeing in Dallas,
all across Texas, and into Roswell, NM. Katie and I talked on the radios
between cars almost constantly and we all had lots of fun, and we've kept
in touch since then. Mitch had ordered her a pair of New Beetle
slippers as a present, and I threw in some extra stuff to make it
more special. I've
just been sick since I read the news, and this morning I went to Mitch's
site and looked through all the pictures of he and Katie traveling across
the country. And the pictures of her driving her own NB home really broke
my heart. I had cut her some custom decals for the car and the words
"Lil' Angel" under a NB logo. That was her radio 'handle'. She
was very special and I'll miss her. |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: "Stan & Donna" <smiwee@enter.net> |
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Mitch,
there's not much to say at this time of your terrible loss, other than we
are so sorry! This is every parent's nightmare and we wish you strength
getting through this
time. Stan
& Donna |
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Bless
you From: "Dennis
& Anna Hooper" <dnaeg@jps.net> |
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I
am so sorry to hear of your loss. All though you don't know me, I am a
member of the nblist. My
name is Anna Hooper, I live in ELk Grove California. My heart breaks for
you and your family today. I have lost my little brother when he was 18
years in a car accident, and my son at 18 months in a accident.
There is no greater pain than losing a child. I am the mother of,
Amber who will be 20 soon. And a step- Daughter Erica, soon
to be 19. The
times spent together with your Katie during the holidays are sure to be a
blessing to you. I just wanted you to know my thoughts are with you now
and in the coming years. I hope your injuries are minor, as i realize the
pain in your heart is greater than any other pain know to mankind. I just
wanted you to know my thoughts are with you. God
bless you and your family during this difficult time. From
the heart, Anna
Hooper |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: Thomas Ainlay <tma@cicllc.com> |
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Mitch, There
is nothing I can say really that would fully express my sadness for you
and your loss. I really
enjoyed reading your travels with her. Thomas |
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Re:I
lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: Chris Schmidt
<christopher.schmidt@kodak.com> |
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Mitch, As
a father of three that loves his kids, and a person that lost a good
friend and Uncle 4 days ago, I feel your grief. Daughters
and Fathers have a special bond between each other. Remember the good times and try to cope with your loss. You,
and your daughter will be in my prayers. Chris |
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Your
Angel From: Phil
Teves <philteves@worldnet.att.net> |
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Dear
Mitch, I
am so sorry to hear about your loss. My family sends their deepest regrets
and sympathy to you and your family. --
Regards, Phil
Teves Internet
Sales Consultant ScottVw.Com |
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I
lost my Angel on Christmas Day From: "Coleman, Anne" <Anne.Coleman@USPTO.GOV> |
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Mitch, I
am so very sorry for your loss. Words
cannot describe the sorrow I feel for you, your wife and family.
I enjoyed meeting you and Katie when you came to Washington, D.C.,
this past Summer. Katie was
so full of life and it was so apparent she was the sunshine in your eyes.
I cannot image the pain and grief you are going through at this
time losing a daughter. May
God be with you during this time of sorrow.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Anne
Coleman |
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To
you and your family From:
Angel9025@aol.com |
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Dear
Mr. Perry, I
do not know you or your daughter but I feel your loss deeply.
I too have lost 2 loved ones during the holidays due to a similar
car accident and cancer. I am so sorry that this had to happen to you and your
family. My only advice is to
remember what you loved the most about Katie and forget any sad times.
She will be waiting for you in heaven.
I know that it is very hard to accept the loss of someone so young
but i believe that it is truly because god decided he just couldn’t wait
any longer to have her by his side. God knows an angel when he sees one!
My thoughts are with you, peace to you and your family.
Sincerely
Eliza Mason |
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Re:[NewBug]I
lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: "Steve Meister" <the.meisters@erols.com> |
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Christiane
and I met Katie and her pop, Mitch, this past summer when they came
through the DC area. We arranged that month's DCNB gathering to coincide
with their visit. We had a great day, and Katie's enthusiasm and
continuous joy were infectious. She talked about the New Beetle she hoped
to get; about how she and a friend of hers were planning to drive out to
R2K, etc. Katie and Mitch's visit was certainly one of the high points of
the 1999 for us, and Katie will always remain in our hearts and memories.
I'm sure she affected everyone she met in this way. --
Steve & Christiane Meister |
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I
lost my angel on Christmas Day From:
"Judy Kuhnle" <jkuhnle@globaldialog.com> |
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Dear
Mitch, My
heart and prayers go out you and your family. Through my tears I write
this. I remember the trips
you two took and shared with us on the list.
I remember the rainy day in Chicago meeting you and Katie.
I remember the sweet young girl who loved NB's and couldn't wait to
get one of her own. I remembered when we all submitted names for her New Beetle
and how proud we all were of her. I
remember the love you two shared as
you shared with us the adventures of your trip and how she almost ran into
the McDonald's store front. Hold
on to those memories, Mitch. Judy,
Jerry, and LadyBug |
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Re:
Deposits? From:
Jim Brooks <cpainnorcross@mindspring.com> |
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Mitch, I
am so sorry. Jim |
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So
Sorry From: "Leah Kenworthy" <lkenworthy@abm.com> |
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Dear
Mitch, I
was saddened to read your post on the NB list about losing Katie. I've
been a subscriber since the middle of the year and always enjoyed your
stories you sent us and the journals of your adventures on your website.
Katie was always an integral part of those tales and the way you wrote,
her personality always shone through. I send my thoughts and prayers to
you and your family. Sincerely, Leah |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From: Michael Levine <txmrlevine@excite.com> |
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Mitch, My
thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this worst of
occasions that came at what is supposed to be a very uplifting time.
I am sitting at my machine sick to my stomach thinking how such a
vibrant an wonderful women could have been taken from all of us. She
is looking over you now Mitch. I
am sure she appreciated seeing the world last year like she did and she is
with God now. He
must have something very meaningful for her to do so he decided to take
her. We
all have and Angel now. We
love and Miss you Katie. Michael On
Mon, 27 Dec 1999 10:08:29 -0600, Mitch Perry wrote: >
Katherine Anne Perry (Katie) >
Born March 24,1982 Went to heaven December 25, 1999 >
Age 17, Senior at The Cottage School in Roswell, Georgia |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day From:
"Kristine Barraco" <kbarraco@hotmail.com> |
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Mitch, My
first reaction is to say I can only imagine what you are going
through...the fact is, as a parent, I cannot.
My mind will not even allow me to imagine the grief in which you
and your family must feel. So
many of us on this list have had the pleasure of meeting your dear Katie,
and for those who had not had the pleasure of meeting her in person on
your great adventures, you shared her with us with those great stories of
traveling the road together in your NBs. It
has been said before that this list is very different than most of the
other "car" lists, as we are often more like a family group.
Well today I must agree. As I
feel as though we have all lost one of our own.
I was just a few months ago you took time out of your trip to come
to visit me, and many others, and Katie was truly an angel. A full
spirited girl. Do what you need to keep your spirits up, as you know in
your heart that is what she would want. I
for one will have bread today. No butter, no jelly, just bread. And Katie,
I promise never to pay for the tour at Fenway Park...I will just stroll in
Like I know what I'm doing. KB |
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[NewBug]
Katie From: "Steve Meister" <the.meisters@erols.com> |
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For
those of you who haven't seen Mitch's web site, you should check it out: http://www.perrysys.com Mitch
& Katie painstakingly chronicled their road trips and NB experiences,
and it's filled with wonderful pictures and accounts from both Mitch &
Katie. For
those of us who were fortunate enough to know Katie, it's a great reminder
of what a wonderful person she was, and how even though the time we spent
with her was brief, she touched our hearts. For
those of you who didn't get a chance to meet her, go to the site and get
to know her. Thanks
Mitch, for sharing these adventures with us. |
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Re:
[NewBug] I lost my Angel on Christmas day
From:
Dan LaMee <dan15@home.com> |
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Mitch, I
really don't know what to say. When I read the e-mail I too was in shock.
I hadn't had the chance to meet Katie and can't begin to imagine what you
must be going through. But, my thoughts and prayers are with you and I'm
sure she is watching over you. Dan
LaMee List, I
have added a Herbie story that I'm sure you all will want to check out.
It's called Katie's Gift and may be viewed at http://www.newbug.org/fth/survivors.html
(click on "Katie's Gift") or Directly at http://www.newbug.org/fth/katie.html.
Also, take time to sign the guest book that I've set up, which is linked
to on that page. Thanks very much. Dan |
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[NewBug]
Katie From: "Jeffrey A. Croft" <jcroft@newbeetle.org> |
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Mitch
and all- I
haven't been on this list nearly as long as some of you, and I've never
had the pleasure of meeting you or Katie. That
said, I do recall this: When
I was looking at new cars a few months back, and considering a NB, I spent
many hours on the web looking at sites of NB owners and drivers. I
stumbled across yours, and saw the pics of Katie with her car. I just
remember thinking..."Now there's the way it should be...she's so
happy with her car." You can tell by the look in her eyes that it was
a big day for her, and that she was a very special, sincere person. It's
extremely obvious to me that she was an amazing girl, and I know from the
pictures that she was beautiful and joyful. I, too, am a parent (albeit a
young one) and the thought of losing my daughter is terrifying. I am not a
particularly spiritual person, but I feel certain that she is in a better
place, looking over us all. And, if these pictures are any indication,
she's smiling. Sincerely, Jeff
Croft |
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Our
sympathies for your loss
From: "Rex and Suzanne Payne" <rexsuzi@flash.net> |