We are now in chapter 6, which is entitled "Comfort in the Midst of Pain." Newell, Colleen, and Carly wrote the obituary for Whitney's funeral while driving home from Taylor the day after the accident. Once the got home they couldn't believe what they saw. Friends, family, and acquaintances had left things for the family. There were cases of water and coolers of Pepsi as they walked through the door, the fridge was stuffed with food, but the kitchen blew them away the most. There were food and floral arrangements gathered all throughout the downstairs of the house. The rest of this chapter displays the emotional ups and downs of losing their daughter. They were grateful that the community was so supportive of the family, but at the same time they were just shocked that it was them needing the support. Throughout this chapter the family is setting up the plans for the following days to come, the visitation, and the funeral. At the end of the chapter, Colleen and Newell decide to go to the high school soccer game because Whitney had played the previous year.
"They felt pulled between two poles. One of gratitude for all the expressions of love,the other of grief over Whitney's death."
"It feels like this is happening to someone else. I almost feel like I'm outside my body watching all this."
- Newell said to Colleen the day before the visitation
"It hurt when my dad died, but children are supposed to bury their parents. Parents aren't supposed to plan their daughter's funeral. It seems like you just took her shopping for a prom dress; now we're picking out a casket."
- Newell Cerak
"Even from there they could see that each girl on the team had wrapped a piece of white athletic tape around the top of her socks. On the tape was written, "Whit #9," along with a personal message for Whitney."
This part of the passage amazes me. To see a community be so supportive of a family in need is wonderful. Generally, people don't think that many people would care if they died. This is an important thing to realize. No matter how anti-social someone is, they will always be a part of someones life. The fact that this family had to go through something as tragic as this just kills me inside. I know it must be hard for every family who has gone through such a tragedy. I feel great sympathy for these people.
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