Destany is my youngest of two daughters. She was born on May 5, 2000. She was a junior at Ben Lomond High School and on the dance team. She LOVED to dance and there is nothing she wouldn’t dance to!

She also LOVED food! Her favorites were rice, pizza, potato logs, burritos, and McDonald’s French fries. Destany had a heart of gold and had nothing but unconditional love for her family and friends. Especially her older sister who she called, “Sissy.”

On October 29, 2016, my family was getting ready for our annual Halloween bash. Destany was happy, ready to dance, and be with the family.

As I was out getting things for the party, I happened to notice that a crash had just taken place on the corner of 12th and 12th in Ogden, Utah. I noticed a truck pulling a trailer in the middle of the road with debris everywhere. I pulled up to the scene, asked a friend to call 911, then got out of the car to make sure everyone was okay. I looked up and noticed the back of a car rolling toward me. It looked like my daughter Destany’s car. I remember thinking, “Please God, please don’t let that be my daughter’s car.” I looked closer and saw the license plate. My body went numb when I realized it was in fact Destany’s car. Never in my life have I felt so helpless. I ran to the car wondering how I was going to get my daughter and my niece, who was in the passenger seat, out of the car.

Destany’s car was T-boned on the passenger side as she tried to make a left hand turn. The truck that hit her was carrying a heavy trailer. I called my oldest daughter to come to the scene. She notified other family members including my niece’s father. I stood in complete horror trying to get my daughter out of the car. The paramedics arrived and told me not to touch her and that they needed to get her out. I was enraged. She was flown to the hospital where they informed me that she would most likely not survive.

I was in the hospital room with my daughter until she took her last breath. At 12:07 a.m. on October 30th 2016, my daughter gave my hand a squeeze. I knew it was a personal message from her letting me know she was okay and ready to “go home.” I knew in my heart that had she survived, she would have been miserable as she would not have been able to walk or care for herself because of the brain injury she suffered. Although I was broken, I had to let her go be in peace.

It doesn’t matter how cautious of a driver you are, you have to be aware of everyone else. Love your children unconditionally every day. Do not take one second for granted.

I had a dream just this past Mother’s Day. My daughter came to me and told me she “had jobs to do for Jesus.” She was very matter of fact about it. Now I know God is taking care of my baby girl, and until I see her again, I will keep her alive with love.