Editor's Notes

Mourning Amanda

The heavens wept for Amanda Holmes, and we did, too. Drowned at 17 in a swift, horrible accident that snatched her from family and friends forever, leaving her to live in the loving memories of all those her life touched. She was special without being pretentious, pretty but not vain, smart though not intimidating, accomplished yet not driven. She looked you in the eye and asked how you were doing and wanted to know.

In the warm service at the Unitarian-Universalist Church last week pastor and friends recalled Amanda, the lone piano played family favorites: "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton, "Come Sunday" and "Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington and "A Little Fall of Rain" from "Les Miserables." Rev. Terre Balof quoted Amanda's father, Robb, saying that now he understands: "It takes a village to bury a child." Friends fought back choking tears to tell how Amanda was always available when they needed her.

The sun came out and we did, too, with Robb and Carole and Lillian in our hearts, knowing that they must live minute by minute without Amanda, yet knowing that the fine, tight family who helped Amanda become who she was would somehow be able to carry on together.

Pete McCommons