The Day That Changed my Life Forever
Elizabeth Rose Melton 2/18/88 - 7/29/2001
The Moment that Changed my Life
I was twelve years old. I was a child, and children should not have to experience such pain and loss.
It was the summertime. It was probably a warm evening, late in July. My best friend was walking from her house to her friend’s house. It was safe back then. People were protective of kids and teens. What was the harm in walking to your friend’s house? We had all done it.
In 2001, Kelly Payne was driving drunk down Christmasville Road, Jackson, Tennessee. In her inebriated state, she was swerving, struggling to keep her eyes on the road. She was struggling to be coherent. She struck and killed Elizabeth Rose Melton, a thirteen-year-old girl who was walking to her best friend’s house. To my knowledge, Rose pushed the other girl out of the way of the oncoming vehicle and saved her best friend’s life.
In May 2002, Payne plead guilty to vehicular homicide and was sentenced to five years. Alongside that charge was a concurrent two-year term for leaving the scene of an accident. She was denied parole but was released from jail three and half years later in October of 2005. Just before I graduated high school.
I was devastated. I was so hurt, so lost, and grieving for years. Nothing could compare to losing my best friend to a monster. Nothing would replace her, and nothing would take away the hurt and pain I felt. I was twelve when Rose died. I was hundreds of miles away in Wisconsin, visiting friends and family. Calling home, I wanted to check in on my folks and see how people were doing that I missed. It was then that I received the worst news, that my best friend had died.
As if things couldn’t get worse, after her release Payne killed another individual. It was within five months of being released from jail in the state of Virginia.
Payne was drunk driving again. She was driving her boyfriend’s truck home from work when she lurched off the pavement and struck a man named Ashokkumar M. Patel. He was walking alongside the westbound lanes of Midlothian Turnpike at the entrance ramp to northbound Chippenham Parkway. She was fleeing the scene of a rear end accident she had caused. As she hit Patel and continued speeding up the northbound ramp, she was racing to reach a bar. She claimed later to not remember anything that happened.
Thank fate, or God, or whatever you will that Virginia law is more serious about vehicular crimes. Payne was found guilty of a Felony murder, aggravated involuntary manslaughter, and two counts of Felony hit and run in connection with Patel’s death. The judge put her in her place and sentenced her to 46 years in prison.
I was sickened at the thought that she had harmed and destroyed someone else’s family. I was flabbergasted and confused. How could someone be so stupid? How? I just wanted and needed to know. Tennessee, at the time, punished vehicular homicide as a nonviolent crime. I hope things have changed and come a long way since 2006. Offenders are eligible for release after serving thirty percent of their sentence. In 2005, Payne was denied parole but was released after accumulating good time credits.
I begged anyone who would listen to help me find out where my best friend was buried. I had spent so much time not knowing where she was buried. From the time I was eighteen until I was in my twenties, I searched for her grave site. Having the means and the ability to go to where she had been laid to rest was challenging. I was afraid I’d never get to say goodbye.
Finally, age 27, in 2015, I went to see my best friend’s grave. I was gifted with the chance to visit her grave with her mother. Rose’s mom had been like a mother to me. A beautiful and wounded spirit. I cried. I cried like it was yesterday. I wanted to reach out and wrap my arms around my best friend and I couldn’t. I settled for hugging her mom instead that day. While we were there visiting, a single butterfly flew and landed on her gravestone. I like to think that was Rose reaching out and saying hello to us.
It took me a long time to process, to not feel so angry and hurt. It took me what felt like forever to be able to take a deep breath and know that everything was going to be okay. It hurts a little less every day. I hope that Kelly Payne is able to find God and forgiveness through him.
For years now, I have advocated for anyone who would listen to not drink and drive. It’s not worth the loss, the heartache, or any of the pain that comes with it. Drinking is not the answer.
A Twist of Fate (Written by me on 10-31-2002)
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The road is curving
There aren’t many lights
~
It’s dark now, as we walk down the road
~
Had too much to drink
Mind is swirling
~
We cross the road to go to her house
~
The road passes by faster and faster
Just hit the accelerator
~
We’re almost there
We’re down the road from Northeast Middle
~
Reaching the hill now
Lights getting blurry
~
We see the lights coming
She pushes me out of the way
The car…the car won’t stop
She doesn’t see her
Get out of the way
But she doesn’t move
~
The car hits the brakes
~
There’s blood everywhere
~
Skid marks on the road
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Tears, blood, death
~
I rush to her side
The driver drives away
Help!
Somebody, please help!
I’m crying now, wishing she hadn’t taken my place
Mom! Mom’s here
Thank you, God
But they’ll be too late
The ambulance can’t possibly make it in time.
Please, God. Please don’t take her.
~
Elizabeth Rose Melton
2-10-1988 to 7-29-2001
About the Creator
Alisha Wilkins ✒️🦋🖋️
I've been writing my whole life. Writing about realms to escape in, forbidden characters to fall in love with, and using writing as my muse and refuge. Recently, I've delved into the mind...mine and others. Happy Reading. Wishing you well.
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U.S. Pushes for Faster Action to Cut Reliance on China for Rare Earths
Rare Earths: Small Minerals, Massive Power Rare earth elements may sound obscure, but they sit at the heart of modern life. From smartphones and electric vehicles to fighter jets and missile systems, these minerals are essential to both civilian technology and national defense. That reality is why the United States is now pushing for quicker, more decisive action to reduce its dependence on China for rare earth supplies. For years, Washington talked about diversification. Now, it wants speed. The shift reflects growing concern that reliance on a geopolitical rival for critical materials is no longer sustainable in an era of strategic competition. Why China’s Dominance Worries Washington China controls roughly 60–70% of global rare earth mining and an even larger share of processing and refining. Even when rare earths are mined elsewhere, they are often shipped to China for processing. This gives Beijing enormous leverage over global supply chains. U.S. officials fear that in a moment of heightened tension—over Taiwan, trade disputes, or technology restrictions—China could restrict exports. Beijing has already hinted at this possibility in the past, using export controls as a diplomatic tool. From Washington’s perspective, this is not a hypothetical risk. It is a strategic vulnerability that touches everything from renewable energy goals to military readiness. Rare Earths and National Security Few issues unite Democrats and Republicans as strongly as national security. Rare earths fall squarely into that category. Advanced weapons systems rely on these materials for precision guidance, radar, and communications. A disrupted supply could delay production, weaken deterrence, and raise costs dramatically. Pentagon officials have repeatedly warned that dependence on China for defense-critical materials undermines U.S. security. As a result, rare earth supply chains are increasingly viewed through the same lens as energy independence once was. This framing explains the urgency behind Washington’s push for faster action. Why “Quicker Action” Matters Now The U.S. has discussed rare earth independence for over a decade, yet progress has been slow. Mining projects face environmental reviews, local opposition, and long development timelines. Processing facilities require heavy investment and technical expertise that has largely migrated to China. What has changed is the global context. Rising U.S.-China tensions, supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic, and growing demand for clean energy technologies have compressed timelines. Waiting another decade is no longer acceptable to policymakers. Quicker action now means fast-tracking permits, increasing federal funding, and working more aggressively with allies. The Role of Allies in Diversification The United States does not expect to solve the rare earth challenge alone. Instead, Washington is pushing for a “friend-shoring” strategy—building supply chains with trusted partners rather than relying on geopolitical rivals. Australia, Canada, Japan, and several European countries are key players in this effort. Australia already hosts significant rare earth mining operations, while Japan has invested heavily in reducing its own dependence on China after facing export restrictions in the past. By coordinating investment, sharing technology, and aligning regulations, the U.S. hopes to create an alternative ecosystem that can compete with China’s dominance. Environmental and Economic Tensions Rare earth mining is not clean. It involves toxic waste, radioactive byproducts, and significant environmental risks. Ironically, minerals essential for green technologies come with heavy environmental costs at the extraction stage. This creates a political dilemma. Americans want clean energy, but often oppose mining projects in their own communities. Faster action will require balancing environmental protections with strategic necessity—a challenge that has stalled projects in the past. The Biden administration, like administrations before it, faces pressure to prove that domestic mining can be done responsibly without undermining climate commitments. China’s Likely Response Beijing is watching these developments closely. While China has not yet weaponized rare earth exports on a large scale, it understands the leverage it holds. At the same time, China is moving up the value chain—focusing more on advanced manufacturing and less on raw material exports. If the U.S. accelerates diversification successfully, China may respond by tightening export controls in the short term while investing in higher-end technologies that keep it indispensable in other ways. This dynamic underscores that rare earths are not just a resource issue, but part of a broader strategic competition. Economic Implications Beyond Security Reducing reliance on China is not only about defense. It is also about economic resilience. Supply disruptions during the pandemic exposed how fragile global supply chains can be. Rare earth shortages could slow electric vehicle adoption, raise consumer prices, and delay infrastructure projects. By pushing for faster action, Washington hopes to stabilize future growth and protect key industries. Domestic production and allied partnerships could also create jobs and spur innovation, particularly in rural and industrial regions. However, building new supply chains will not be cheap. Consumers and taxpayers may face higher costs in the short term as alternatives to Chinese supplies come online. Challenges That Could Slow Progress Despite political momentum, obstacles remain. Mining projects take years to develop. Processing facilities require specialized knowledge. Workforce shortages, local resistance, and regulatory complexity all pose risks to rapid progress. There is also the danger of overpromising. Policymakers must manage expectations, making clear that reducing reliance on China is a long-term effort, even if action accelerates now. Failure to deliver tangible results could weaken public support and give critics ammunition. Final Thoughts The U.S. push for quicker action in reducing reliance on China for rare earths marks a turning point. What was once a niche policy issue has become a strategic priority at the highest levels of government. This is not about cutting China out of the global economy entirely. It is about ensuring that no single country can control materials essential to modern life and national defense. Speed, coordination, and political will will determine whether Washington succeeds. As competition intensifies, rare earths will remain a quiet but powerful force shaping the future of technology, security, and global influence. The race is no longer just about who has the minerals—but who controls the supply chains that define the 21st centur
By Muhammad Hassana day ago in The Swamp
Comments (2)
Rest in Peace...Elizabeth Rose...I never met you but through my sister I grew to know your memory. She's kept your spirit alive.
Such a beautiful child so sad her life was taken from her. I agree that drinking and driving is wrong.