Amy's dad

by Steve Cason
(Dixie, Georgia)

Amy Danielle Cason

For the last several years I have waited up at night until all of my family was safe at home and in bed. Amy was 18. She was spending the night at her boyfriend's mother's house. She was going to church with them the next day.

Amy and her boyfriend had gone to the movies and were returning home when they turned into the path of an oncoming car that struck Amy's side of the car. Amy did not drink or do drugs. Her boyfriend did not drink or do drugs. However, they were struck by a car driven by a drunken driver, her sister and a friend. All had been drinking. There was beer in the car. The driver was .075.

It has been nearly a year now and they have still not been charged with a crime. Amy died that night.

I still wait up at night for Amy to return home. She never does. My world has slowed so much now that it is hard for me to function as I did before this accident. I see my baby every day in all that I encounter. I think of her when I see butterflies, or cars, or dogs, or the stove, or anything else that I see. Everything reminds me of her. I feel as though I died that night too, only I'm still able to walk around. It's a numb feeling. Nothing seems right anymore.

The girls that were in the other car brag about and post pictures of their parties and all that they drink on their myspace. They seemingly find some sort of prestige in their ability to drink much. Amy was the exact opposite. She was proud of her ability to refuse intoxication.

I can't bring Amy back, but I can tell this story in hopes that someone reads it and chooses to take the more difficult road and turn away from alcohol and drugs.

Amy died on July 14, 2007 - the day after my wedding anniversary. She had been accepted into college and was to start the next semister. She was going to work in the medical field possibly as a speech therapist. She wanted to help people who had difficulties. She wanted to make the world better for them if she could. For 18 years she did.

So here I sit waiting for Amy to come home.