Death is nothing to us, since when we are, death has not come, and when death has come, we are not. EpicurusOn August 1st, 2004 we received the most amazing gift, a 6lb. 12 oz. beautiful bundle of joy that we named Alexis Skye West. Lexi was the sweetest baby and child, she was very shy and wouldn't let many people get to close, but once she loved you she was all in. She gave the best snuggles and kisses ever, and loved when you kissed her under the chin "her sugar pot" because it tickled so much. She always had the most amazing laugh and love of life, with a lazy streak a mile wide. When she was little she refused to walk until she was 16 months old, not because she couldn't do it but because she just loved being held. She used to tell me all the time that when she graduated she was just going to stay with me forever and I would laugh and threaten to leave her and move to China, but I would have really given anything to have her with me forever. She came into my room everyday and okayed in my bed with me and told me all about her day, about the things she did that would annoy me and that i would fuss at her about, and then giggle and say mama don't worry, I got this... On Friday, August 16th I saw her beautiful smile for the very last time when I dropped her off with her best friend for a birthday sleepover. They hadn't seen each other for 2 years so I told Lex she could spend the weekend. We talked all through the weekend like always and Saturday night she called me at 11:40pm and wanted me to come and bring her a new toothbrush and see her. I was really tired so I told her no and to call me when she woke up and I would come over. That was the last time I heard her sweet voice say Love You Mama! The next morning I got a message from her friends mom that she needed me to call her about Alexis, she told me that my Alexis and her Alexis were both missing as well as the dirt bike. We were all hoping and praying they were just out riding and didn't tell anyone, I got dressed to head to look for them while other mom contacted police to report them missing. The next I call I received was from a 911 operator asking me to meet officers in Tift county to talk with them. If course I am now worried sick because we can't reach them and I don't even know what to tell the police she was wearing or anything. I was asked to meet officers at the fairgrounds because that was the mid point for us. When we arrived there were 2 deputy sheriff's and a GSP officer, I knew something was very wrong, my legs didn't want to walk towards them, if I didn't hear it then it wasn't real. My body somehow carried me forward anyway, they asked me to describe Lexi and what she was wearing, I couldn't answer and immediately felt ashamed, like the worst parent, how could I not know what she was wearing. The officer was talking again, this time his face had changed, I could see his mouth moving but what were the words he was trying to tell me? An accident? Last night? But that's impossible, she would have called, that was a long time ago, where is MY BABY? Wait, more words but my mind just won't let me hear them... And then... two girls matching the description of our daughters were in an accident on the interstate and neither of them survived. DIDN'T SURVIVE? They are wrong, it can't be her, just tell me where my baby is, I have to find my baby. He sent me to the coroners office in Adel, but Adel, Cook county, why would my baby be there? This can't be right! My legs feel heavy and my head is spinning, I hear but I just can't process what's happening, I feel like the world is speeding by and nothing makes sense, I can only cry in my mind when I open my mouth only gasps come out. My husband drove me to the coroners office in Adel to identify my beautiful baby girl. Every parents worst nightmare had become my reality, I would never see her here on this earth again, but one day we will be reunited and until then it is not goodbye but see you later my angel!
