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On Wednesday, August 30, 2006, our lives changed forever with the
tragic loss of our beautiful 15-month-old daughter, Elle. I was hustling
off to the kids’ soccer practice, when I accidentally backed over our
precious Elle. Words cannot expess the pain, sorrow, and guilt I feel
even today. I don’t understand why this had to happen, but I have faith
that someday, I will. If I could bring her back, there is no question
that I would. However, the reality is, I can’t. So I have tried to go on
with my life the best that I can. I want to make her proud, and be
strong for her, for my husband, and for our children. I will try to
convey some of my feelings, thoughts, and experiences that inspire me to
keep striving for happiness and joy on this earth, until I can see,
hold and kiss my sweet baby again.

One thing that my eyes have been opened to, because of our
experience, is the love, compassion, and empathy that were extended to
us. When word spread about the accident, we were bombarded with kind
acts of love and service. People we knew well, and many whom we didn’t,
reached out to us and provided for us much-needed support. It was truly
amazing and still brings tears to my eyes. This couldn’t have been an
easy thing for many people to do, yet they did. Our family felt of their
love and concern and I realized that this world is filled with many
angels.

A few days after losing Elle, my husband Scott came to me while I was
alone in my bedroom and told me that I needed to get up and come
outside. Honestly, this was the last thing I wanted to do. I didn’t want
to see, talk to, or be with anyone. When we walked outside, our yard
was completely covered with floating white and pink balloons. Numerous
friends were outside placing the balloons in our yard as a tribute to
Elle. An overwhelming feeling of love washed over me and I felt peace.
Our family stayed outside for hours and eventually released the balloons
heavenward.

At Christmastime, the year we lost Elle, we were all having a pretty
hard time. I would have preferred to skip the whole holiday. Yet, once
again, we were blessed by the generosity and love of those around us. My
good friends brought me a little "Angel Tree" in memory of Elle, were
were given Christmas books and ornaments in Elle’s memory, and someone
even purchased us a Christmas tree at the Festival of Trees tree in
memory of Elle. How can one not feel of the Christmas spirit when so
many loving gestures were being offered daily?

I could go on, listing the kind words, visits, letters and gifts that
people offered in our behalf. In january, of 2007, my brother suggested
that we might consider a scholarship fund in memory of Elle. He sits on
the Nebo Education Foundation,and told us that many scholarships are
created in memory of a loved one. We immediately felt that this was
something we should do. It would give us a chance to not only remember
and celebrate Elle’s life, but it would also give us a chance to give
back a little something to the community that had blessed our lives.
thus, the Live wElle Scholarship Fund was created.

In order to raise money for the scholarship fund, we have created a
family fun run. This, of course, could not be possible without the
support and help from our dear family, friends, and sponsors, that have
helped us make this race a success. the "Live wElle 5K and Family Fun
Run" is an annual event held each may, and all proceeds are used towards
the scholarships. In addition to the scholarships set up with The Nebo
Education Foundation, we are working on creating our own foundation so
that we can fund some additional charitable endeavors. Because we were
so moved by the Festival of Trees tree that was given to us a few years
ago, we decided to do the same thing this past year for a family that
had lost a loved one. Being on the giving end was an amazing experience
for us, and through the creation of the Live wElle Foundation I hope
that we can continue to give back to the community.

Our family cannot possibly thank all of those many people who reached
out to use in our time of need, but we can try and reach our to others
in need and offer them comfort, hope, and ultimately peace. I feel it a
great honor to write of our experience. To those who receive Elle’s lion
in the future, know that our thoughts are with you in your time of
struggle.

Kirsten and Scott, parents of Elle

Elle's Family Passed on a Ryan's Lion.

Lion 110
Lion 127

Click here to learn more about the Live wElle Foundation and the Live wElle Family fun run