Comfort in Sorrow
Remembering Amy Hild
Laura, Jeni, Me, Alicia, Sara, Laura, and Amy
The fourth Wednesday morning of the month started out just like it does every month. We had Social Media Breakfast in Mason City. In fact that’s where most of the North Iowa bloggers met and then we grew from there. We looked forward to learning and discussing social media every month. It was a common interest we all shared. This past Weds was not like the other Weds though. It took a tragic turn that none of us saw coming and it’s still hard to believe.
Amy Elizabeth Hild – September 9, 1987 – February 25, 2015
The breakfast was over and a few of us were still talking. Amy waited for me to tell me that the roads were getting bad and we should head home. We hugged and walked each other to our cars …. I made it home and she never did. She was tragically killed in a car accident. My friend Laura called me crying and I knew what she was going to tell me. I. Was. Devastated.
Back (L to R) Alicia, Jeni, Me, Amy Front (L to R) Katie, Sara, Beth Ann Photo Credit: Deb Brown
Amy was not just one of my fellow North Iowa bloggers. She was so MUCH more!
I seemed to be glued to her Facebook profile all day Wednesday. I kept refreshing it, hoping it had all been a terrible mistake and waiting for her to post something. As I glanced through her pics I have never been so thankful for selfies!
Amy loved supporting the Cupid’s Undie Run
Amy was so full of life! She had a smile that was contagious and she could make any one smile. A group of friends sat around together yesterday afternoon and again in the evening sharing stories and memories about Amy. We laughed and we cried. Amy lived her life more fully than some 80 and 90 year olds. She was such an example of how to live life to the fullest and how to treat others.
Amy photobombing Katy, Beth Ann, “flat Donna”, and “flat Laura”
A local paper wrote a beautiful story on Amy here. I kept replaying Weds morning over and over. I asked the questions, what if I packed up quicker, what if I stayed and chatted longer, and more. I couldn’t quite grasp reality, in fact I’m not sure if I totally do yet. It just doesn’t seem real.
Spenser & Amy Photo Credit: Seneca Epley
Last night some of us attended a prayer service for Amy’s family and fiancé, Spenser. Yes, she was going to be married May 15 of this year. She was so excited too! She loved him so much and talked about him constantly. She already had Amy Gruis printed on her notebook in anticipation. She had even found the perfect dress.
Amy and I at Kelly Gau Studio
3 weeks ago Amy and I were crafting together at Kelly Gau Studio and check out what we made.
Photo Credit: Kelly Gau
Did you read it? We made these 3 weeks ago! Kelly did a beautiful post on it. I cried this morning. Again.
Sunset 2/25/15, Mason City, IA Photo Credit: Unknown
Another friend of Amy’s posted this Wednesday night after her accident.
We went to a painting party last month. Back (L to R) Amy, Katy, Laura, and Mary Front (L to R) Me, Alicia, Jeni, and Jen
Waves of emotions crash over me – sadness and numbness seem to be constant. Even in the pain though the feeling and emotion that is loudest is comfort.
God knew Amy’s last day would be Wednesday.
A man’s days are numbered. You know the number of his months. He cannot live longer than the time You have set. Job 14:5
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4
Making wreaths together (front to back) Alicia, Amy, Me, Beth Ann, Val, and Jeni
God also knew she’d be leaving behind a fiancé, family, and friends that would be hurting.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:12
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Cor 1: 3-4
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
Amy is going to be so missed! It truly won’t be the same with out her, but I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with her. I rejoice in the fact that I’ll see her again.
Have a post about Amy? Please feel free to add it to the linky below.
Thank you for sharing Donna, especially the Bible verses giving your comfort. I always turn to scripture during times like this to help me pray. All thanks for starting the linky so all of these beautiful posts can be found in one spot.
I feel so much but have a hard time putting it into words. Thanks for sharing your memories about Amy. I’m so happy we could have so many adventures together. I love you.
I was thinking the same thing as I looked through pictures. The writing helped me process. I love you too!
Thank you, Donna, for sharing your reflections, your memories, your heart-felt connection with Amy. Though I never met Amy in real life, I do know her through her blogging. And to us, bloggers, it’s A LOT! We live and breath and connect with our blog posts and Facebook groups, we leave traces of who we are in the hearts and minds of those who read us.
To all of you, my dear BLOGGING SISTAHZ, I would like to say: I LOVE YOU.
I would like you to know it now, today, without any delay.
Like in one of the last Amy’s crafts, she wrote “There’s time for everything.”
Now is a good time to let you know you are loved and appreciated. With you and this blogging community is what connects me to life and you.
What a beautiful post, Donna. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. My heart is with you and Amy’s friends and family.
Lovely post, Donna. Thanks for sharing your beautiful memories of a beautiful young woman.
Wow. You moved me to tears. I’m so sorry for your loss, her family’s loss and the blogging community’s loss of this wonderful girl. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Donna such a beautiful post I love all the scriptures. I am so glad you were able to have such a wonderful person in your life. She sounds like such a great girl. I wish I had all the right things to say to make you feel better, I know words can not help your sorrow.
This is a beautiful tribute, Donna <3 Thank you for sharing her with us all! {{{{ HUGS }}}}
Oh my friend, I am so sorry you are hurting. So sorry. I am glad your last time with Amy was filled with laughter and joy. I know you will miss her.
I think you summed it up beautifully. We have all been blessed with our friendship with Amy and even in this tragedy we all seem to be coming together to support one another in a new way. I think she would love that. We never know what tomorrow will bring. It makes me more aware that i need to take every opportunity to tell those I love how much they mean to me and to live my life daily as God would want me to live. Thank you for the verses of comfort. That is what they are and we all need them. Love you, my friend.
I think she would be smiling knowing how close it’s bringing all of us. I love you too – so very much!