No Words

I have no idea how to write this without making this about me, but here it goes...

I find it hard to understand how someone could take another human's life, especially someone they once loved. How could a person destroy the life of their wife, the mother of their children, while those children are at home, expecting to see their mom again soon? That moment, when their world was forever changed—when the promise of a mother’s return was taken from them—will never leave my mind. The loss of their grandpa as well, adds to the enormity of this grief. I keep thinking about them.

She was a woman full of life, someone who had everything to live for. I remember watching her in church, explaining to her children why we bring our baskets at Easter to be blessed. Her youngest placed the basket near the altar, and I admired how she was raising her children to honor their Polish roots. To me, she seemed to have it all. Her joy, her love for her family—it was so evident. On social media, her smile was so genuine, and it was hard to find a photo where she wasn’t smiling. I never heard her complain. I remember the times when she would make us laugh at church choir practice. She was confident, funny, and had such a beautiful, soft singing voice.

We weren’t close, but I remember so much about her. It’s strange how much you can recall about someone you didn’t know well. I was inspired by her, especially by the story of how she met her husband online. When I was single, I thought, if she could find love through an app, maybe I could too. Her story gave me hope, and it led me to try online dating. She and her husband were living proof that love could come in unexpected ways. I saw them at Stampede, hand in hand, when they first started dating. Their love story helped me take that leap; never did I think that it would end it a terrible tragedy as it did.

But now, I can’t stop thinking about their children. Do they understand what happened? Are they being told that it was just an accident, or do they know that their parents won’t be coming home? I pray that they still feel surrounded by love, especially with the support of their uncles and grandmother. Home should be a safe place, a place where love and warmth are found. But for them, it has been shattered in a way that no one should ever have to experience.

I’ve been reflecting on life and how fragile it is. A tragedy like this can happen to anyone, at any time. In the wake of this pain, I’ve realized that I need to reset my own priorities. I’m going to complain less about waking up to go to work. I should be grateful every day for the chance to wake up, walk, feel the changing seasons, and have conversations with people who need a little brightness in their lives. Every day is a gift, and I need to live it with more intention.

I’ve also been thinking about the Polish community, about the people I grew up with, and the connections I’ve lost. I follow many of them on social media, even if I haven’t seen them in years. I know who’s getting married in 2025, who’s traveling, who’s living their life in Montreal, who's a mom of three children. Even if they don’t know much about me or follow me on social media, I cheer them on. Life is too short to not support those who are doing the things they love.

I think of her as someone who did what she loved, surrounded by the people who meant the most to her. It’s heartbreaking that her life was taken from her so suddenly, and she deserved so much more. No one deserves such a fate. My heart aches for her family, and for the children who will grow up without their mother, without their father. All I can do now is honor her memory by living a life full of appreciation for the moments I have, and by being there for others, just as she was for those she loved.

Link below for GoFundMe: