I've realized that every time I submit a journal entry, it is always to complain. Well this time is no different. I don’t know how many of you have heard the news, but the high school I graduated from in 2005 took some kids down to Costa Rica for a Language Masters (a school club) trip. A storm came up, and with it a big wave as they were swimming in the ocean. Two are confirmed dead, and another two are still missing. I was friends with all of these people, but more so with the two that are still missing. The girl that died was 18, the boy 17. The girl missing is 17, and the guy is 26. He was the Spanish teacher, and a very close friend.
Mr. Carlson was one of the best people I’ve ever known. He knew what it was liked to be picked on, and he had sympathy. I mean, you know it takes a great person to be a high school teacher. Who in their right mind would pick that as a profession? Someone like Carlson. He was a great guy, well liked by everybody, and had a lot going for him. He’s taught for four years, and even when stressed or claimed he hated it, he kept on. He’s changed a lot of lives for the better. When the big wave came, he didn’t think of himself. He dove back in and got one girl out (whom I graduated with), and went back again for the other three who could not make it. He hasn’t been seen since, and this was at 5:30 pm Saturday evening. There is still a chance he is alive, as is Jessica. It is very slim, but miracles do happen, and I am hoping and praying with all I have that he will be okay. I know if he is alive, it would break his heart to know that he lost a few of his kids, but to me, that doesn’t mean that he has to be lost also. If anyone deserves a second chance it’s him.
I woke up this morning to rain. I freaked out in the shower. I will never step foot (or at least more than just my feet) in the ocean again. I hate water. I just feel so bad that at the time this happened, I was probably discussing the future (marriage, houses, kids, etc.) with my boyfriend. I was planning the rest of my life as the lives of these people got taken. They were straight A students, could have gone anywhere for college, could have done anything they wanted. I am just a confused little girl. I have no idea what I will do with my life. But some day I will know. They never will.
I try not to cry. I try to be strong. If every body falls apart it will just be chaos. I’m not saying I haven’t cried. I have. Quite frequently, actually. I’ve been nauseous for two days now. I just don’t know how much long I can hold strong. I had a talk with my dad this evening. He’s lost two of his best friends, one of which he somewhat blames on himself. The talk did make me feel a little better. I know dad knows what it’s like and what worse is like. I just hope to God that everything will be alright and that we will all make it through.
Pray for Danielle Tongier’s family. Especially her mom. Danielle’s mom was the other sponsor for the trip. She had to sit there and watch her daughter die. Pray for Andrew Harpstrite’s family. He was the second they found. Pray for Jessica Pierce and her family. She is still missing. Her mother didn’t even like her cheerleading because the skirts were too short ( they weren’t). Her mother always worries. Pray for Brett Carlson and his family. He is also still missing. He is a hero, and not just in my eyes. Pray for all the kids that went on the trip, they had to watch, and also were fighting for their lives. Katie Allen, Kelli Allen, Jason Clark, Katie Farrell, Caitlyn Lawrence, Kristy Scheuer, and Joel Ybarra. Also, please pray for the Labette County High School faculty and staff, and for those us that knew them. We all need all the help we can get.