Our World Stopped.

"A child's warmth, a daughter's kiss, a grieving parent--you're dearly missed. An empty room, an empty chair, the tangible love of our friend--no longer there."~Alexandra Baker

RIP Marissa Dawn Staddon 02/01/03

It was four years ago today that my world stopped as I had found out that my beloved best friend, Marissa, had passed on in a horrific avalanche--she was merely fifteen years old. As I stand here today, my life was forever changed from that moment on. These painful memories have come to be known as defining points in my life for I fell in times of hardship--only to be lifted higher by God. I was given renewed hope for those I loved and had lost--for they lived for their Savior. From that moment on, I would do as they had taught me and follow in the footsteps...chasing after God...

..."Avalanche! Avalanche! Avalanche!", someone yelled...

The students had only seconds before the monstrous slide, estimated at more than eight-hundred and fifty yards wide moving with enough force to flatten ten acres of forest. First came a "wall of snow", one student later told wardens, and then "blackness"...Investigators would later conclude that the couple saved at least five lives. But there would be little solace in that fact. While seven youngersters and three adults survived the avalanche, another seven motivated and promising teenagers--six boys and one girl--died. (Excerpt from Sports Illustrated)

"Marissa gave me a big hug and nestled her head against my neck and said, 'Dad I love you.' And I said 'Marissa, I love you too. Have a great trip.' And that was the last time I saw her alive..." --Karl Staddon.

"There was little chance that I could save everybody," said Watkins. "You just have to save as many as possible."--Abby Watkins.

Fifteen short years. Five thousand, seven hundred and twelve glorious days.