Britt Leanna is my daughter.
I love her deeply and miss her unbearably. She left this mortal existence 10 years ago next Sunday, in a single car roll-over. I can only imagine her surprise when she suddenly found herself watching the results of her lack of judgment from the other side. A few weeks before this, I remember coming home on a Saturday night only to hear Britt tell me of the very sad news of Princess Diana’s death. Not long after, the world mourned the death of Mother Teresa. I remember being in the lounge at work when I heard a colleague say, “Deaths always come in threes, I wonder who’s next!” “What a terrible thing to say!” I thought, never possibly foreseeing it could possibly be my child.
But it was. It was Britt.
One may wonder how I could even think of placing my daughter in the same class as Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. Well, she’s my daughter and anyone who was lucky enough to know Britt, to be loved by Britt or was simply blessed enough to have her in their life, would understand. Britt was an incredibly loving, compassionate and giving young lady who loved life to the fullest. I miss her terribly every day.
I’m thankful to Brian who has given me a darling daughter-in-law. Most often there is no in-law with Mindi. She is simply my daughter. Because of Brian and Mindi, I have my darling grand daughter Kennedy. Kennedy is her mother’s daughter however more often than not there’s a sparkle of Britt in her eye) For the next week I will be posting photos of our baby girl who at age seventeen, died eighteen days short of her eighteenth birthday.
Me and Britt – October 17, 1979
The first time Brian saw Britt – October 18, 1979
Brian (age 2) and Britt (2 months) – Christmas 1979
Britt was always building a stairway to where she wanted to be – September 1980
Fresh out of the bath – September 1980
Picnic in the park with Grandpa – July 1980
The only time Britt stayed put was on a blanket on the grass. She did not like the feel of grass. July 1980
Shauna says
You most cetainly should put her in the same class as Princes Di and Mother Teresa. What wonderful photos and memories! Thanks for sharing.
pinkjagxj says
Shauna,
I’ve always said it would take my Britt to teach the Gospel to Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. I wonder how it’s going????
Dina says
just stumbled upon your blog and read all the posts about Britt. I couldn’t help but envision your reunion with her one day. what a glorious day that will be. thanks for sharing.
MAC Mom says
Thanks for sharing about your daughter Britt. I was reading all the posts and looking a the amazing memories in photographs you have of her. My mother also died in a car accident when I was a child. I never imagined the pain my grandmother felt losing her daughter until I had a daughter of my own. I see the joy my daughter bring to my grandmother. She always tells me how she sees my mother in her.