My Pretty Amanda

My friend Marilyn Lloyd took this picture of Amanda following the Trek last spring. It is one of my favorite pictures of all time. In fact, this may sound a little macabre, but this past week I used it in Amanda’s fake obituary. She participated in the school’s “Shattered Dreams” program that is to help kids think about the consequences of drinking and driving. Amanda was one of the “living dead.” Without her foreknowledge, a police officer and the Grim Reaper showed up in her class, announced that she has been killed in an alcohol-related accident. As she is helped into a body bag on a gurney, they read her obituary. After being wheeled out of the class, they applied white facial make up and she was not to speak to anyone for the balance of the school day. (She had volunteered for this, and we had to give consent, but she did not know that she had been chosen.) She didn’t come home that night, but rather was taken to a police-chaperoned overnighter at the middle school. Then Friday morning was the “funeral” for the 20 or so kids. It was mandatory for parents to attend. I didn’t want to go, but I did. I didn’t want to spend real emotions on fake issues; I’ve got enough real problems. I’m good. Besides, Amanda doesn’t drink for higher reasons and she is a careful driver. I know, something still could happen (knock on wood) but if we come to that bridge, we'll cross it then. Anyway, back to the picture, they used it in a slide show and also have all the obituaries on display at the school. She told me this weekend that she wished I hadn’t used that picture as she had to endure some “Mormon-girl Pioneer” teasing. I told her to tell the teasers that she was proud to be a Mormon girl, the Pioneer Trek was awesome, and that even after 48 hours of hiking and hardship, no make-up and no shower, she was prettier than they could ever hope to be. (She did not agree to say this, but at least she knows where I stand!)