When Angels Leave Too Soon

On this the one year anniversary of the passing of a sweet young lady whom I have known since she was six years old. I would like to take this opportunity to re-post the January 7, 2010 memorial in her honor.

On December 30 2009 , Emerald Arias was taken from us in a terrible car accident . The Santa Clarita Signal News Paper report... An 18-year-old North Hollywood woman died this morning after being injured and trapped in a car in a traffic collision, officials said.Emerald Arias was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m., according to a California Highway Patrol report.Coroner's officials said Arias died at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

Emerald was a sweet caring young lady who was bright beyond her years, and was completing her senior year at Grant High School in the San Fernando Valley.

Emerald and her older sister Sarah would spend Christmas time with my children relatives and friends participating in a Thomas family tradition of making Christmas Cookies, Popcorn Balls, watching holiday movies, looking at Christmas lights and making Tamales ...added by Sarah and Emerald.

Birthdays, graduations, and the celebration of her La Quinceanera was a wonderful experiences shared with her. Our families would take trips to Magic Mountain , sleep overs with my daughter, going to the movies.. all of these wonderful times our families have shared together for many years. My son and Emerald had a special relationship she was one of the few who related to him and was his motivator from the first grade to high school.

How do we mourn the death of a child ? it is one of the most difficult experiences that any family would suffer. The pain of the senseless passing of a person who is still a teenager will never totally dissipate, but as long as we hold dear to the memory of the wonderful time we had in sharing our lives with those who have passed it helps ease the the pain in a small way.

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Arias Family.

Our Loss is Heavens Gain.

K. Gerard Thomas