This Friday, September 16th, marks the fourth anniversary of my nephew's death. He and seven of his friends from the University of Wyoming men's cross country track team were killed by one drunk driver.
This entire week I'm devoting my blog to Cody and his friends. I'm not even sure where to begin. My hope for this week is to try once again to make people recognize the dangers of drinking and driving and the impact it makes upon society.
I was there the day he was born, June 30, 1980. I was so proud, I was an aunt. I remember our drive up to Wheatland, Wyoming vividly that day. It was beautiful and upon our arrival, he was there. So perfect, so exciting for my 11 year-old self. I gushed with emotion knowing that this was a spectacular chapter in life. Cody was the first grandchild born on both sides so he was special to many. I remember watching my eldest sister hold her baby and it was the first real example of mother and baby I had ever acknowledged.
In the coming years we often drove up to Wyoming to see them or they would come down to Denver to visit us. I watched this baby grow and felt more of a sibling attachment to him rather than aunt/nephew.
This was a boy that I loved dearly, he grew to be a spectacular young man. In the coming days I will tell you of his great accomplishments in his short 21 years.
For today know this; every year in this nation 17,000 people are killed because of drunk driving. Every year in this nation 500,000 are injured, many severely, because of drunk driving. With statistics such as these, most people in this country will in someway be affected by a drunk driver.
I should preface this week with the fact that I am not against drinking alcohol, but I am against drinking and driving; we all should be. I ask that all of my regular readers please link this week. Whatever your politics, we should all be able to agree that this needs to end. Thanks.
Technorati Tag drunk driving
Posted by Stacy at September 12, 2005 11:48 AM | TrackBackLet me be the first to say I am sorry for your loss. Memorializing him here is a great idea! I look forward to hearing about Cody.
Love,
Echo
Posted by: echotig at September 12, 2005 11:57 AMStacy - so sorry to hear about this! I had known about the accident because of mentions on ESPN and such but I didn't know you were related. God bless you and your sister. I'll trackback for sure when I get home tonight.
Posted by: Nightfly at September 12, 2005 12:53 PMSo sorry. So linked.
Posted by: bob at September 12, 2005 01:49 PMMy personal opinion has long been that the first drunk driving offense merits and immediate revocation of license. A motor vehicular homicide is instant life in prison. The fact that people walk the streets again after killing someone "just because they were drunk" is inexcusable.
Posted by: Admin Worm at September 12, 2005 02:16 PMMy thoughts are with you this week. It's sad when tax evasion can carrier heavier penalties than robbing someone of their life. I'm linking.
Posted by: jae at September 12, 2005 02:30 PMHow sweet and sad at the same time. I am sorry for your loss but glad to see you are bloggin and sharing this with all of us.
Posted by: The Gray Tie at September 12, 2005 05:01 PMI agree with Worm. But how would judges get to work?
Posted by: bigwhitehat at September 12, 2005 05:26 PMI, too, am sorry about your loss. You are truly honoring his memory by speaking out against this type of murderer - and you have an opportunity now of channeling your grief to make a difference with this issue. God bless you and your family during this difficult time.
Posted by: Valerie at September 12, 2005 08:20 PMI can't imagine the unique pain you've gone through, but I look forward to hearing about Cody's life.
Posted by: Nettie at September 12, 2005 08:54 PM(((hugs))) to you friend. I feel your pain. I look forward to celebrating and mourning the life of this special young man over the next week. What a special tribute. You are an incredible lady and he was blessed to have you as an Aunt. Prayers go out to you and all of Cody's family and friends.
Your Sister In Christ,
Posted by: Paula at September 12, 2005 10:36 PMI am so sorry to hear about what happened to your nephew. We also lost my youngest brother in-law to a drunk driver. My heart goes out to you knowing the pain you and your family had to experience and are feeling for the rest of your lives. I admire you for your idea in posting Cody's story not only in loving rememberance of him but also as a warning to others that this can happen to anyone. I hope you're able to reach at least one person who is needing this message. God Bless you and your family.
Posted by: Cindy Swazay at September 13, 2005 08:38 PM