We Remember Every Day

October 24, 2012
October is an emotional month for me at work. For the past five years, we have published a book of stories of teens who were killed on Utah's roads. We hold a Family Remembrance Event for all of our families a few days prior to the public release of the teen memorial book. And then a press conference to release the book to the media and general public.

Today was that day.

Not only do I have the stress of pulling off our biggest press conference of the year, but I have the emotional journey of greeting, hugging, crying with, and helping the families who speak and who attend. And the media's always urgent requests.

The press conference was beautiful. We had candles all over the room, flickering in the dim light as our speakers told of their grief, heartache, and message to other drivers. I've grown accustomed to crying in front of my coworkers, boss, and boss' boss' boss now after working on this project for five years. The most humbling, emotional, and rewarding project I have ever been involved with. But my words do little compared to the families who share their loss with us.

If you have teens, young drivers, soon-to-be-drivers, or a driver license yourself, take the time to read these stories. Your life may never be the same. I know mine isn't.

"We Remember Every Day: Stories of Teen Lives Lost on Utah's Roads in 2011" can be downloaded from http://health.utah.gov/vipp.