Letter to the School Community
Below is an account of the events of the May long weekend, written on the day of Alexa's passing. I feel that the words were inspired, as they flowed easily and freely, from a place of intense grief and disbelief, but also from a need to honour Alexa. They were written to my school community.
Dear Friends,
By now, news of our family tragedy has been extended to the Southridge community. I have specifically requested that you be notified, because Southridge is such an important part of my life, and I profoundly believe in the power of community. I ask that you consciously shift your focus from the magnitude of this tragedy, instead, to the celebration of my wonderful daughter's life. Alexa had a perfect day on Saturday; the sky was a magnificent blue, matching the blue water of our pool in which we swam all day. She spent the day with some of her favourite people: Mommy, Daddy, her brother Christian, her grandparents from Calgary, and her very dear Auntie Daphne. I personally commented on how perfect this day was. She then embarked on her daily journey to feed the horses, an established tradition that she loved each day. Living on the edge of Ladner, we are very close to agricultural land with horses. Alexa had a favourite horse which she nicknamed "Horsey Love" to whom we brought treats of apples, carrots and juicy grass each day. Feeding "Horsey Love" was a perfect way to end a perfect day, and a perfect life.
Contribution is at the heart of who we are, and I must inform you that my daughter Alexa was able to contribute her healthy organs to sickly children somewhere in Canada. This gift from Alexa has provided tremendous peace and comfort to my husband and me. We take comfort knowing that the spirit of Alexa is alive and well in the fortunate recipients. Perhaps other lives can be 'perfected' through our girl.
As parents, we generally accept that we guide and influence our children. In truth, our Alexa guided me. I am changed and inspired by my daughter; she possessed a strength and confidence of which I was envious. I choose to allow her legacy to strengthen me. Through me, she will continue to impact all, including the Southridge community.