Whitney Hendrickson's Statue Dedication

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I went to high school with Whitney, but didn't know her very well.  Her life was cut short in March 2009, and is greatly missed by so many. She holds a special place in many people's hearts. There was a statue of her dedicated at the Miramont Castle in Colorado Spring, Colorado this summer. The first picture is of her uncle speaking after revealing the statue. The facial expression of her sister as she watched her uncle was full of love and peace. He was talking about how so many pictures there were of Whitney jumping. Standing in front of her, I couldn't help but smile and see the light she had in her eyes. The second picture is of Wes, her brother and a wonderful friend to me. Though there were tears, there were laughs and smiles too remembering who Whitney was. The third picture is of Whitney and the beautiful garden the statue is in. The last picture I snapped really quick, but I loved how it captured Whitney and Marina so happy together again. May her statue and spirit light up the garden to all those that may pass by.

“You can shed tears that she is gone,

or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back,

or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her only that she is gone,

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind,

be empty and turn your back.

Or you can do what she'd want:

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
 
~David Harkins