Here I am, sitting in a San Diego hotel room at 4:00 in the m0rning, weeping like a baby…
Just a few hours ago, the Highland High School Marching Band won first place in the Arizona State Marching Band Championship!
My daughter Lauren is a member of that band.
I just don’t have the vocabulary or the writing skills to express how proud of her I am, and how sad I am that I wasn’t there to witness it.
She and her band mates worked so hard for this championship.
Two hours from now, give or take a few minutes, will mark the one year anniversary of the tragic and senseless death of my daughter’s band mate, Kelly Tracy.
Those that have read here for a year on Phoenix Real Estate Guy may remember that around 6:00am on November 15, 2008, Kelly Tracy – just 16 years of age – was killed by a drunk driver when she was minutes away from joining her band to march in the Gilbert Days parade.
That day was, without doubt, the most emotional day of my life.
My wife Francy and I were volunteer “band parents” the day Kelly was killed and words can not come remotely close to describing what we felt that morning, as we stood in the band room surrounded by 150 kids when they were informed their friend had been killed.
As painful as that day was for us, and trust me it was agonizing, it pales in comparison to what the kids went through and was nothing remotely close to the pain the Tracy family has endured.
And yet, here we are – just one short year later, almost to the day Kelly died – and the band wins an Arizona state championship. On the same field where they marched last year on the day of Kelly’s funeral.
I am not an overly spiritual person, but it’s hard to imagine that Kelly wasn’t looking down from heaven last night, urging her friends on.
And they won. They are state champions!
I know for a fact that Kelly’s friends have not forgotten her. They overcame the sadness from the loss of their friend, and amongst very strong competition, they won a championship. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelly was doing back-flips in Heaven when the results were announced that her band were the state champions.
Lauren, I am so proud of you and your friends. I know how hard you all worked for this, and I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you when you won. Of course nothing will ever remove the pain of losing Kelly, but I assure you that she marched with you last night, and she is thrilled beyond belief. Congratulations sweetie!
For more on Kelly and the legacy she leaves behind, read this article from yesterday’s East Valley Tribune – and bring a box of Kleenex..
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes! Congrats on the State Championship guys! No doubt Kelly was there as you took the field. I think she will always
A bittersweet story…for those of us who have benefited from the work of angels, this story is especially poignant. After reading the story in the Trib, I have to say the Tracy family has given us an inspirational example of how to turn tragedy into something beautiful. Thanks for sharing this, Jay.
And a huge congrats to the Hawks for the State Championship
Mr. Thompson: I'm pretty sure you were the bandparent that hugged me that awful morning Kelly died. I was a Senior and thought I was a tough grown up girl, but at that point all I wanted was my Mom who was on her way back from the parade to pick me up. I never thanked you and I'm sorry for that.
Kelly was an amazing person and a talented musician. We will never know what she might have become. I think you are right though, she was looking down from heaven last night.
Thank you for the hugs, and thank you for not forgetting Kelly.
HHS! Go Hawks! State Champs!
Highland Class of 2009
I'm sure Kelly was doing backflips! That's amazing! I'm so proud of the Highland Marching Band! God Bless all of you!!! There is scripture that talks about how those who have gone before and how they pray for us here. I know she prays for each of you.
Love,
Cindy (Kelly's Mom)
You are more than welcome for the hugs and please don't be sorry for not thanking me. I wish I could have done more for all of you that day. I'll never forget Kelly. I didn't know her personally, but obviously she was a very special young lady.
Cindy – Thank you for stopping by. I'm sure this is an especially hard day for you and your family. I honestly can not imagine the pain you've endured — your strength and faith are amazing. Kelly touched many people in her short time here and that's a testament to her, you and your husband, and her faith.
Take care and God Bless,
Jay
This is a beautiful post, Jay. Thanks for sharing.
Please pass the Kleenex.
This is really an emotional story. Trust me Kelley was doing back-flips in Heaven when her friends got state championship trophy. Congrats a ton to all the champions there.
What a wonderful tribute to your daughter, Kelly and the band. My kids are at Highland but not in band but we were all so sad last year when Kelly was killed. Sounds like she was a remarkable kid. Were all very proud of the new state champions!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Jay.
The bands were wonderful Saturday night. Highland performed a truly magnificent show. My first band loyalties go to Gilbert High but Saturday night was Highlands moment to shine, and they really did! When we saw that Highland took first, I knew it was the best thing to have happened.
Way to go and congrats to your daughter. I am not a father YET, but I can't imagine how proud you must be. It's unfortunate that Kelly Tracy wasn't around to experience this with her fellow band mates but you should be recognized for making more people aware of this tragic event. It's unfortunate that you had to write about the tragic event but because of your post it really brought more awareness to the event. Google Kelly Tracy and you will see what I am talking about. Congratulations to Lauren, Kelly and all of the band members!
Such an emotion filled post…congrats for you and your daughter. I'm sure she is proud of you too.
I cant stop crying…
Okay…so I am an agent in Montana…really only read your stuff to keep up with your trends down there….but am completely brought to tears by that story. Thank you for sharing. Being away from family at key moments is one of the parts of our industry I struggle with…I know from following you on twitter you are a man who never sleeps and has abundant energy. I am sure your daughter knows you wished you were there more than anything, but I am know her entire band had to be held gently in the hands of Kelly. She must have been a wonderful person…an angel who was here to teach us something. I will try to learn the lesson all the way up here…in Montana….
Thanks so much Alan. Given that less than a point separated Highland and Gilbert, I'd say it couldn't get much closer than that! We've enjoyed watching GHS at all the events we've been to this year.
Got a kid in GHS next year? It ought to be fun!
A waxwork tale…for those of us who mortal benefited from the output of angels, this story is especially touching. After city the account in the Trib, I somebody to say the Player kin has surrendered us an inspirational admonition of how to activity tragedy into something bonny.
————-
Sean Cruz
workout routines
What an indelible memory!
http://ewingsir.com/
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