Tuesday, January 8, 2008

In Memory of Meredith


I did not know her, never met her. But I've connected with this story in a way that I don't think I ever have before, to any other tragedy. Maybe its because I've spent most of my life hiking in these mountains, rafting its rivers, and yes, I've hiked alone, and even with a dog and a small child on a variety of the trails that run through the North Georgia Mountains. Or, maybe its because her body was found just a few short miles from my house, in a beautiful deep forest that I love and claim as mine. Or, maybe its just because Meredith was a beautiful young woman, doing the same kind of things I loved to do at her age. Or, maybe its because I'm a mother, who can't imagine the pain of losing a child, in such a horrendous manner. Whatever it is...God rest your sweet soul Meredith. I'm sure heaven has mountains and trails that you never imagined.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I think it's because of the photo. There's something young and fresh and friendly about the face of this girl with her dog. She strikes me as the all-American, outdoorsy girl. Someone everyone knows and loves. Had it not been for the photo, it would have been just another news story to me. But, like you, I connected with her and was very sad that this happened even though it was so many miles away.