In Honor of Andrea
I was 19 when my friend left this earth, and still as I sit here, I cry again. The wound will always be fresh, so I do what I can to honor her life.
As the year end rolls around, I keep getting letters and emails about making that last tax deductible donation to various non-profits. This morning, I was reminded yet again of my friend. Not that I needed a reminder, as she is always on my mind, but I was reminded none the less. I made a donation earlier this year, in honor of my friend to M.A.D.D. Somehow, it seemed like a good way to honor her.
M.A.D.D. is an organization you may or may not have heard of. Mothers Against Drunk Driving. M.A.D.D. was founded by Candy Lightner in 1980 after her daughter, Cari, was killed by a drunk driver who had repeatedly drove drunkenly. M.A.D.D. provides victim services for Victims and Survivors on their website, as well as a support line at 877-623-3435 where you can speak to a victim advocate to help you with what you are going through.
I am writing this post both for selfish reasons-my love and pain for my friend- and for society-to do my part to help others not have to know the pain of having a loved one or themselves become the victim of an inconsiderate idiot who couldn’t suck it up and call for a ride, or sleep it off at the very least!
You can help by being a safe driver for your friends, making a ‘take the keys’ rule for those drinking. Just do something. Help us make sure we do something to help!
Everyone keeps saying it, so I guess it’s a marketing strategy. I will pass it on. It’s a good point. You have until December 31st to donate in order to get it written off of your 2011 taxes. Why not get one last donation in to help an organization who is helping you daily by promoting awareness to protect you and your loved ones.
Please, stay safe and don’t drink and drive. If you can’t get any way from point A to point B after you’ve been drinking, find some food, eat, and wait a few hours before you get in your car. Take precautions before you go out by having a Designated Driver.
I wrote this post in Memory of One of My Dearest Friends, Andrea Beth Doyle who left this mortal coil to be with our Heavenly Father on July 23, 2003. Her life was cut short, but her impact on my life will remain forever. She taught me many things but the most important lesson she taught me was through her continuous, unfailing dedication to Him by never judging or following the ways of everyone else and always living for God.
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How sad that your friend died in such a tragic way. It’s not worth the risk to drink and drive, I honestly don’t understand why or how people could take their life and others in their hands and drive drunk. It disgusts me how many people do it. What a testament to her faith and character that even though she’s not here anymore, she’s able to inspire you and others through your blog. It’s so hard to live by His word and not by this world and it’s really motivating to read this and know that we all need to start doing that more. My prayers to you as you remember your friend. I’m sure she’s in heaven with the Lord and I hope she got justice. Found your blog from the hop and from your tweet. Loving it. God bless you!!
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Excellent message! So happy to have you link up to the Tuesday To Do Party at The Blackberry Vine!
Happy New Year!
Smiles!
Jami
http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
MADD is a great organization. My brother-in-law was also killed by a drunk driver in 2007 at the age of 18. I am glad you are advocating for such a great cause in order to bring more awareness to the fact the drinking and driving is serious. I just don’t understand why people don’t have designated drivers or pay for a cab so that their own life and other’s lives won’t be put at risk.
So sorry to hear of yet another wonderful life lost to a drunk driver. I have had this experience with my own friends, and hope someday we will not be sharing this pain.
MADD is a great organization. I’m happy to see you are helping to spread the word. I’m sorry for the loss of your friend.
New email subscriber via makobi rss hop.
I am sorry to hear this. You offer a great reminder to all of us!
Excellent message to repeat and repeat and repeat. So many don’t get it; the truly innocent are usually the ones who die or suffer. Thank you for mentioning this and we should all continue to “drive” the message into everyones brains. Your friend knows you are missing her; she smiles on you every day. God Bless you and your message. Have a great and Happy New Year.