The Gunter Family
Amanda, Ansley and Levin
at 2:02 pm on September 18, 2009 I receive a text from Hillary saying:
Amanda Gunter had been in a car accident and passed away...
silence.
tears.
more tears.
I text back.
What?
She is so perfect, she is so sweet, so pure, known for her beautiful smile and amazing kindness and personality. They are a wonderful family, full of life and love and happiness.
I decided to call my mom, I needed to talk and cry to someone. She needed to know so she could call Thelma.
(Thelma is Levin's mom. My mom and Thelma roomed together at BYU and have been best friends ever since. Our families have gone on vacations together growing up.)
I tell her what happened and so she called Thelma to talk with her and see how she was doing.
My mom calls me back and tells me the story:
Levin, Amanda and Ansley had made a surprise visit to see Levin's parents in Greenville, South Carolina. They had been currently staying with Amanda's parents in Charleston, South Carolina. Thursday night they headed back to Charleston and for what ever reason Levin had drifted off the road and when he had swerved back onto the road he ended up in the other lane and was T-boned by the on coming vehicle. Amanda passed away, Levin is in critical condition in the hospital. He is in and out of consciousness and sweet little Ansley walked away with what looked like a rug burn on her forehead.
Thelma said that one of the times when Levin was conscious and understood what had happened, he made the comment that he didn't think he would be able to love any one again as much as he loved her. She was just so easy to love.
Those of you who knew Amanda would know that is true, she was so easy to love. Always happy, always had a smile on her face, so nice and kind to EVERYONE.
Something that came to my mind was a quote one of my best friends Tamara had on her wall at college, (Tamara I need to get the direct quote from you) but it talked about how some people leave this life early because they are so pure and so innocent.
Thoughts that have ran through my head today amongst all the tears and prayers for their family.
This life is precious. We wanted so badly to come to earth and to have a body and we are experiencing that right now, but it won't last forever. Not one of us knows when it will be our time to leave and move on to a better place, leaving behind loves ones, knowing we will be united again, but not knowing exactly when.
a quote that Aaron put on facebook today,
"The happiness of death is hidden from us so that we may better enjoy life."
This is so true. I know Amanda is happy, she will be moving on and progressing. We are the ones left behind that get to struggle and make the best of this life.
She did a amazing job here on earth and set a great example of how it is supposed to be done.
ENJOY IT!
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Remember how important family is. We never really understand the importance of spending quality time with a loved one until they are gone.
Take more pictures, capture more moments.
Hug your husband, wife and children, tell them you love them. Contact that friend you have wanted to talk to for months or years.
LOVE.
BE FULL OF LOVE.
JUST LIKE AMANDA IS.
Please keep the Gunter family in your prayers.
I LOVE YOU AMANDA
YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!!!
12 comments:
so sorry. so sad.
2009 right? I think it says 2006
also I really really really enjoyed your words and needed to hear them.
They are a beautiful family. I will pray for their family and yours. LOVE YA! g
OH How sad, I am sorry to hear about her. I hope you can get through, and her family also, thanks for the reminder, may some good come from this.
Such a powerful post. Thank you for reminding us to enjoy every second with family. I am soooo sorry for your loss. Our prayers will be with they're family and all those effected by her life. Much Love.
Thanks Melissa, it did :)
Amanda was a great person. I was so shocked to see that she passed. I will really miss her. My prayers go out to their family--I can't even imagine how hard it is for Levin right now...and little Ansley. Thanks for your words and reminding us how special Amanda really is.
that was a beautiful tribute to an obviously amazing person that I'm sure will be missed.
thanks for reminder and positive approach to such a sad situation.
I'm SO sorry Shanae and my condolences go out to them and their families. It's SO true what you said. This life is really short in the grand scheme of things. I don't know who she was but it sounds like she really made the most of it!
Thanks for the post and information about the accident. It has been hard to accept and it is nice to learn more about what happened in those last moments.
that is very sad. reminds us to live life to the fullest. i am grateful for the gospel and for eternal families.
i have been thinking about this for the last day and it is tearing my heart out! how sad for the husband and daughter! i know it's bad to do but i just think how trajic it would be if it happened to my family and then i realize that they are going to have to go thru all that i just though of and it's so sad. i hope they are doing alright.
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