IT'S BEEN TOO LONG  / JENNY MORALES (PROPER) (FRIEND)
IT'S BEEN WAY TOOLONG SINCE I LAST SEEN HEATHER I REMEMBER WHEN I MET HEATHER IT WAS 11 YEARS AGO I WAS PREGNANT WITH MY SON. SHE WAS A COOL PERSON SOMEONE I COULD TALK TO ABOUT THINGS I REMEMBER HER LAUGHING ALL THE TIME ALWAYS LOVED TO HAVE A GOOD TIME. REST IN PEACE MAMA WE ARE ALL JUST WAINTING TO SEE YOU SMILE ONCE MORE. Close

I was extremely moved...  / Scott (Passerby)

I just created a page on this site for my grandmom, who was just four months shy of her 100th birthday; and in browsing, came upon this memorial site.

I have no right to say anything; I certainly don't know Heather. But having been a firefighter/paramedic for 27 years, I know something about how she died...and the extreme depths of dispair that her family and friends feel.

I also don't know this person whose fault it was that caused Heather's death, but I want to share a few observations of a stranger. It is not God's wish that we die; He gave us free will, free choice. It was that choice made by this drunk driver that cost Heather her life; and to read that the courts let him off is a travesty.

But, having been around untimely deaths for a number of years, it's also strengthened my faith. Our God is a perfect God; in the Gospel, He is defined as "love". For God to love mankind enough to send Himself to earth, in the form of Christ, and die for the sins we've made, He is amazingly perfect. And God has admitted this young, beautiful girl to heaven, where there is no pain, no tears. Our time flees by in a fraction of a moment where Heather is, and she will be with all those who mourn now. Each of us is issued a death certificate with our birth certificate; just the date, time, and cause aren't filled out.

So though I grieve with your family, Heather, I also rejoice with them in knowing you're in that wonderful place...where we all will be someday...and I hope to get to know you then.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

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To the family and friends  / Eric (Stranger)
The grieving process never really stops.  I'm so sorry for your loss. Close

Missing You  / Stacey Mendez (Best Friend )

Hi baby girl!  I wanted to say hi and I love you so much.  I want and saw the family yesterday for the first time since I have been home.  It was a wonderful experience.  I was very nervous and excited at the same time.  I got to Val's house and it is beautiful!  Jocie showed me her dog, Samson, and Jacoby showed me her kitty!  You would love them.  Jacoby's room is all princess's and Jocie's is "under the sea".  Dad is really doing a great job on their rooms.  I can't wait till I am able to spend some time with Kyle and your mom and dad.  I miss them so much!  Hopefully we will be able to get together soon!  I am finally able to travel to Lancaster County so I am goin to try to set something up with your mom!  I am still dong good.  My boyfriend and I are goin strong.  You would be so proud.  I have someone that is so supportive of my recovery and makes sure that this is the most important thing in my life.  He has 3 kids and is so goo with them.  On the 25th we are going down to visit you!  I better get going, I gotta get to a meeting!  I love you so much and miss you dearly!  Love always your best friend Stacey   3lw 

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MISS YOU  / Samantha Dowlin (CLOSE friend )
Hey heather... i just wanted to let ya know that i think about you and ur familY ALLLL the time... i miss u so much.. i just found out im havin a little girl so im naming her Nevaeh Lynn...  (heaven spelled bkwrds and ur middle name) i was gonna name Brayden that if he was a girl but ... wasnt so i didnt..... so im glad this one is a lil girl...  my other two are gettin so big.. its amazing how they grow so quick.. i havent seen kyle lately i can only imagine how big he has got.... i miss him and ur mom n dad...ALOT too...... well i have to get off here... keep shining down baby girl...WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!! Close

I love you!  / Stacey Mendez (Best Friend )
Hi baby girl, I just wanted to let you know that I'm out and in York.  I am doing wonderful, i miss you so damn much.  I've been through a lot these past 2 years.  I finally broke away from Jake and since have moved on to a gentleman.  His name is Levar and he treats me like a women is suppose to be treated!  I think about you all the time.  I'll write you soon!  I'm always praying to you!  Love you girl! Close

i just wanna let you kno  / Allie Lucas (family)
hey heather,
i miss you soooo much so does everyone else i know!
kyle looks like you and you gave him the most prettyful eyes i had ever seen and you mean everything to him
you always are with him in his hart that what matters 
 i love you soo much and i will be back soon love you darling




love allie Close

thinking about you  / Teri Decker (aunt)

heather, the holidays, were the toughest time for your family, everyone still speaks of you every day. i know if you could take back time, you would. but in the mean time you will always be in our thoughts and prayers. until we meet again.  love aunt teri

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DEAR SWEET HEATHER,  / ROSE GRMA TO ANGEL BRITTANY SYFERT

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Dear Linda, (sending you my love)  / Angela (friend)
Dear Linda,
I know I am only being silly but today I took 30 to Gap. I rarely do this. It bothers me. I get these goosebumps going past Heathers cross, the location of the accident. I got stuck in traffic and I sat there and tears came instantly to my eyes. There I was sitting there getting images in my head and no where to go. I feel so silly feeling these emotions still. So on the way back, I prayed, I prayed for peace. And through the tears I felt a smile that even through all that I have been through I seem to always come through, land on my feet and be ok for my boys. My Angels are always watching over me, how lucky I am. I got home and Derek, my 8 yr old, ran upstairs to his room and I looked out my kitchen window and I saw this beautiful cloud formation. It was beautiful. And I called Derek down to look at it. He stood on a chair and just looked in amazement. I do not believe in it, I think I am crazy writing about it, but I truly believe it was a sign. It was so beautiful. So different, so rare! What else could it be??? lol Well anyway, I just wanted to tell you, that I truly think Heather gave me my peace today! Thank you for her!!! Much love to you Linda! I know silly story, but my belief in Angels comes from Heather! Muuuaahh!
Angela
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Angels / Angela Stoltzfus (friend)

First of all I have to say that I only knew Heather for a short time.   I can not imagine or even relate to the pain that her family and long time friends are and have gone through.   I will never ever say I understand.   I do not.   Although Heather affected my life forever.   I have shed alot of tears for this beautiful angel.   I have kept quiet because I felt I had no right to take away from the people that loved her so much.   And yes in such a short time I did love this girl.  Who could not?   She was so easy to love.    Her smile,  her personality alone just made you love her.   The last time I saw Heather alive  she was running over to the car that Mike and I were in and asking me if he was ok to drive.   She wanted to make sure that I was not with someone that was driving drunk.   We both were Mothers,  of wonderful boys.   I feel such shame that I did not know Brians state of mind or what he spent the day doing.   5 minutes later right before my eyes the horror story began.   I remember crying so hard that I couldn't stop,   and my memory after that is very vague.   I do know that she was gone instantly and when I touched her face I just wanted her to come too and be ok.  It was not to be.   I cried alot after that and I even swore at God asking him why why why?   Every year I say I'm ok but I still cry and can't sleep and feel sick over it all.   It hasn't gotten easier and the images are very vivid in my mind.   I can not imagine the pain her family and close friends are going through.   I try to  toughen up and say I should not be crying but I can't seem to stop.    
     I have come to have this love for angels.   I am constantly collecting pictures of them and putting them everywhere.   I also make sure I tell all my friends and family everytime I leave that I love them.   This is my blessing from Heather.   How quickly we learn these lessons when you lose someone.    
     Two Novembers ago on Heathers birthday I woke up feeling very very sad and I got a phone call from my Mother.   She told me that my Grandfather had passed away.    I was crushed.   My Grandfather was this amazing man.   I could go on and on about this man.   But I do think the dates were meant to be.   When I was a little girl my Grandfather would always give me a big bunch of flowers when I came to visit.   My favorite he knew were those beautiful purple pansies.   Since he passed I have this beautiful image of Heather and Simon,  my Grandfather,   Laying on this huge bed of purple pansies looking down at us and just smiling.   Two angels looking down at their families and friends and smiling and making sure we are all ok.   Just close your eyes and imagine that.   And in closing with tears in my eyes I say I miss you beautiful Heather.   You were so loved.   Your family is just amazing.   I was blessed to meet your beautiful Mom and your beautiful son!  I try so hard to get those terrible images out of my head and remember the smiles and the beauty of you.   Thank you for blessing my life just by knowing you.   R.I.P baby girl!   Mother,   daughter,  friend,  and angel. 

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I know your pain  / Jaime Sharratt (Passerby)
I passed by Heathers Sight, and wanted to say a few words. my mom Maxine Darr who also has a sight here just passed on April 30th of this year of a sudden illness and i miss her so very much! but then in June of this year my neighbor and friend 12 year old Gabrielle Bechen who also has a sight here was murdered 1/2 mile from her home by a grounds keeper on a local breeding farm. her parents have suffered so much and its hard to look at then without tears. i am so very sorry for the loss of Young Heather......... Close

My Dream  / Debbie Decker (Aunt)

I had a dream the other night Heather came to me and
I told her I missed her hugs so much.  In my dream I
saw her sitting at a table her hair was in a bandana.
I went over to her and she really hugged me.  I could
feel her arms around me and smelled her perfume.  I
remember telling everyone not to freak out that I just
saw Heather and she gave me a hug. This was a 
dream I will never forget.

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Miss you so much!!  / Stacey Mendez (Best Friend )

Hey girl.   I have just been thinking of you so much.  Not more than normal I just needed to get some things out.  I find it so hard to live my life without you in it.  I recall all the memories we have together and all I do is smile and wonder if one day we will be together to give each other that smile and hug we both needed.  You meant the world to me and still do.  I feel you next to me through my struggles and I know you would be so proud of me right now.  I just wanted to let you know how much I love you and miss you girl.  I'll always love and cherish our moments together.  your best friend always,  Stacey

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Justise will be done in Gods name  / Emma Lee Hess (Friend)
 It hurts me to know that THAT S O B walked away from our justice system but Heather I know and God knows that JUSTICE will be served because HE WILL NOT BE UP THERE WITH YOU, he will be DOWN STAIRS with the other criminals in the fires and he will suffer ever more, he will NOT be up there with the Angels like you are.  So that does give me some comfort.  Yes we would all like to see him pay right now, and he will still pay some in this life time, because you cant do what he did to you and totaly get away with it, there will be things in his life that will keep going wrong and he will have to live with this every day, and on judgement day HE WILL PAY BIG TIME, then then FINALLY JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED.  I love yo and miss you Heather, I never got to spend enough time with you NONE OF US DID, we were all robbed,because of a DRUNK but God needed you with him and we will see you again some day and we will all hug you again someday when we come up there with you. We all have not stopped loving u and we have not forgotten you.  Your Candle will shine forever more in our hearts. Love your Friend Emma Lee Hess Close

Pray for us (corrected version)  / Debbie Decker (Aunt)
Heather, I'm so sorry for not visiting your site lately. There's a lot that been going on in the family. I talk to your picture every night! The holidays aren't the same anymore. Your mom and Nan Wise loved the calendars alot. Have you talked to God lately? If you could put in a good word for your Uncle Rick Decker, he really needs it!! I'm glad you came to your mom in her dream she really needed that alot. Just know that you are loved and missed soo much. Please watch over the family we really need it. Oh by the way. I can't wait to play cards with you in heaven. Hugs & Kisses with much Love, Nan, Pap & Aunt Debbie Close

Pray for Us  / Debbie Decker (Aunt)
Heather,
I'm so sorry for visiting your site lately.  There's alot that's been going on in the family.  I talk to your picture every night!  The holidays aren't the same anymore.  Your mom and Nan Wise loved the calendars alot.  Have you talked to God lately?  If you could put in a good word for your Uncle Rick Decker he really needs it!!  I'm glad you came to your mom in her dream she really needed that alot.  Just know that you are loved and missed soo much.  Please watch over the family we really need it.  Oh by the way,  I can't
wait to play cards with you.

                                        Hugs, & Kisses with much Love
                                        Nan, Pap & Aunt Debbie Close

Heath! / Stac Mendez (Best Friend )
Hey girl!  It's been quit a long time since I have been able to be on this site.  And you know I have been through so much these past months.  I was almost there with you, but my time didn't come and I am so greatful you were there with me.  I know I have done some horrible things, but God has forgiven me and I know you are there for me.  I miss you so much.  Not one day goes by that you are not on my mind.  Your name is brought up and spoken out of my mouth on a daily basis.  I am finally able to start to deal with you being gone and it gets better one day at a time.  I live for today now and only one day at a time. 

I want to start off by apologizing for hurting the ones close to me.  I hope you understand it was my addiction and not me.  I know that you do.  You still visit me and we talk all the time. 

I saw your mom and Kyle this weekend.  Man is he getting big.  I can't believe how much he is like we were as children.  I tell you, we really have our hands full.

I know you are glad that I have come this far and I ask you to stay with me day by day to help me through this.  I started Drug Court today and it was the best decision I have made in the past year.  I have a lot of support and I know that through help with God, you and my family and friends I am going to conquar this! 

I want you to know I love you and miss you dearly.  Remeber that you are always on my mind and I will never be without you!

I'll talk to you soon!

Love you forever and always~Stac Close

Have you back again  / Debbie Decker (Aunt)
Heather,  I wish you could come back to us.  I want to see you
again and hug you again.  That's my wish.  There's not a day that
goes by that I don't think about you.  I'll say a prayer that justice is
done to that idiot who put you in your grave.  May he know the pain
and sorrow that he's put this family through.  On thursday Sept. 22nd 2005 may the courts do the right thing and lock his butt up.  Put him in a cage where he belongs.    He's not a human being!!!
He needs to appologize to Heather's parents for what he did.  If all
of Heather's family and friends say a prayer for justice it might help.
I'm angry and hurt that that idiot doesn't think he's guilty.  You took
Heather's life and I hope you suffer the consequences!!!!
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The Dance Video  / Debbie Decker (Aunt)

I was watching CMT the other night and they had Garth Brooks
videos on.  I just happened to catch the last one they showed.
It was "The Dance".  I sat there and cried my eyes out.  I
wonder why God took you and not that idiot.  If I could change
places with you Heather I'd give you my life so you could come
back to your son and your mom and dad.  I want justice for what
the idiot did to you.  If he thinks he did nothing wrong he's sadly
mistaken!!!  Because someday he will have to answer to God for
what he did to you.   And if his parents don't think he did anything
wrong, they had better take a good hard look at the truth.  Because
it will come out.  I'm praying for the court system to do the right
thing and bring the idiot to justice!!!!

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