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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-02-05, Page 28PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5,1997 For Teens, By Teens FEATURE Last week a student at Central Huron Secondary School was killed in an accident. The impact of this tragedy is felt by everyone, but for teens it can be particularly diffi­ cult. Angela Konarski, 16, of RR1, Blyth, was like every other young person. She loved life and the expe­ riences it offered. Her death was a loss that will be felt by many. Two of her friends shared their feelings and their memories of Ange. GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING ... RIGHT??.... By Rachel Bylsma Over the past few days I have been reminded of this time and time again, by many different people. Whether they said it to comfort me or not, I can't really say. I think it was more to justify what happened. On Nov. 30, 1980, a beautiful child was bom into this world. She had two siblings, a brother and a sister, as well as two very proud parents. She grew up to be one of those people who took a hold of her life and made the absolute most of it. Full of energy and full of life, constantly radiating positive vibes, and having a smile for everyone. Her name was Ange Konarski and she was a very good friend of mine. At times, she was the very best friend I had. On Jan. 27, 1997, God took her from us. Ange was very important to a lot of people; she had so much going for her! She had a future to look forward to! She had so many plans. She was going to have six kids, and be the "Coolest Mom" there ever was! She wa really good with kids! She wanted to get married and be some sort of social worker. We were going to go down to Port Elgin for a week in the summer and rent a cottage, and we were going on a road trip down to Iowa as soon as we got our license to visit a very special friend she made two years ago on a SERVE project we were on. We were going to do so many things - cause we had so much time, didn't we? We're young and healthy, and totally not ready to die. Not yet God - we have so much to do! The cruel reality hit me harder than anything in my entire life hit me before. Never m my life have I felt so helpless, confused, resentful, regretful, sad, angry and scared. All at the same time. Helpless because there was absolutely nothing I could do to bring her back. On Sunday, Jan. 26, two hours after I heard about the accident, I got on my knees and prayed the most earnest plea I've prayed to God. I prayed these exact words - 'God, I'll do anything for you, just please, PLEASE bring Ange through this." God didn't answer this prayer. Not in the way I asked him to. WHY NOT? How, in any way, was that fair? Isn't God supposed to be FAIR? I can understand why God would want Ange to be with Him. She is an amazing person. But couldn't He have waited a little while longer? I just can't figure out the purpose of God taking her from us. And I suppose I may never know. I was confused because I couldn't understand why God would allow someone so young and so promising to die. Or why God would want to put everyone close to Ange through so much grief, and unbearable sadness. Why docs He allow some people so many chances, yet he only allowed Ange ONE? What makes her different from those people? It didn't make sense! She didn't deserve this; I don't understand, God! It's not always for ME to understand. I was resentful too, which I am deeply sorry for now. Never in my life have I doubted God's judgment as I did these past few days. Never in my life had I doubted God's love for everyone. I'm so sorry, God. Thank you for sharing Ange with me for the few years I did know her and thank you for letting us become so close. Thank you for giving me a friend like her, a friend I will never forget, but will hold dear to me forever. I was regretful because even though I've known Ange for over 12 years, I can only say I was close with her for the last two and a half. In Grade 9 we realized how much we had to catch up on. I wish so much now that I had those extra 10 years with Ange to cherish as good memories. I am also regretful because there were so many things I wanted to tell her that I never got around to telling her. Too many things left unsaid. Too many opportunities wasted. Mostly because I was so naive in thinking I had so much time. PLEASE don't leave things that you want to share with someone ’til tomorrow, or next week, or next year. Whether it's sharing your relationship with God with them, or just telling them how much they mean to you, it could be one of the most important things you did in their life, or yours. I am sad for obvious reasons. Sad for her, because she lived for such a short time and had so many things going for her. Sad for her family because they shared such a tremendous loss that even I, as a close friend, can't begin to imagine. I'm sad for all the lives she touched, including many people from SERVE projects. Sad for all her many, many friends, and I suppose I was feeling a lot of self- pity because I lost someone very dear to me, someone irreplaceable. 1 was also very angry. This was the hardest to deal with. I felt a lot of anger, but had no one to direct it at. It was an accident. So I kind of started to blame God. I couldn't believe He'd have the nerve to share her with us for such a short time and then take her from us. My anger eventually melted into a mixture of all the other emotions I was feeling, but it was the hardest emotion to deal with. And I'm sure I'll have to deal with it again. This is not near over. Seeing an empty scat on the bus, or an empty space in the classroom is going to be hard to deal with. I now realize how quickly life can be taken away and how little time I might have left with other close friends. I'm scared because the possibility of having to face God and be judged by him could be a lot closer than I expected for me, or any of the people close to me. Ange was a very special person to a lot of people, and many people are bearing the loss of a wonderful friend, or a sister, or a cousin, or a,, daughter. I will continue to pray for them, because I know that prayers are what gets people through things like this. f Remembering Ange By Christina Black We had so many good times together, I don't know where to start, So many memories shared, forever in my heart. You were always so full of energy, always ready to go, Always wanting to rush, never- taking things slow. If I wanted to have a good time, I knew you were the one, Whenever I was with you, I just had so much fun. You were always up for a real good fight, no matter when or where, And if people didn't like the way you were, you didn't seem to care. I'll never forget the times we spent, just talking the night away, You said you'd be there to party with until we both turned grey. I'm so glad that I got to know you, the way I have in the past few years, But it only makes me want to shed, that many more wet tears. Our last weekend together, I never will forget, We sat and talked of past good times, since the day that we first met. It was like we knew what was in store for the next few days, Like an angel was telling us to value our time, God works in mysterious ways. On Friday night we were at a party, having so much fun, Like a magical force, we were pulled together, we embraced like * we were one. I feel like I'm the luckiest person on all of this great earth, You'll never know how much your hug, that night, was really worth. But even more than your hug, your words, they touched my heart, You said, "Christina, I love you so much," and I never wanted to part. I'll never forget the way your hug felt, you had so much to give. When we went bowling on your last night, the last words you said to me, Are four precious words, I'll never forget, but will never come true you see. You said to me, "I'll call you tomorrow" but that was never done, So when I get to heaven you'd better call me, you'd better be the first one. Some day I'm going to talk to you, and hug you with all my might, I'm gonna laugh with you and drink with you, and everything will be all right. But for now, we've got to move on and live our lives to the best, But that will be the hardest thing when such a good friend lies at rest. I loved you so much, and I'll miss you always, But forever in my heart are the memories of your days. Ange will be remembered always and forever hold a special place in my heart. r WESTWARD $79.95 40 pc. 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