This is the eve of what should have been the 24th birthday of Heather Jeannine Kwiate, who was killed less than a week after her birthday in 2010. Since we are choosing to celebrate her life through the Foundation, we will not be posting the details surrounding her death at this time, other than to say she was a victim of domestic violence.
Our Heather was a beautiful human being with hopes, dreams, and plans that were all coming together just
prior to her death. She loved her family deeply, especially her two little girls. She worked hard, she took care of her family, and she laughed a lot. She will be remembered this way forever by those that love her.
Our purpose in creating Heather's Voice Foundation is multifaceted. It is our aim to educate young people before they become the abusers or the abused, and to help displaced victims rebuild their lives in a positive manner.
We also intend to provide assistance to Heather's two baby girls (and others like them who have lost their parents due to domestic violence), and to honor Heather's memory by bringing hope and promise back into the lives of those who have been victimized.
We cannot celebrate Heather's birthday with cake and candles, but we can celebrate her life today and every day that follows. We will never forget our "Heddy", always loved, never forgotten...
9 comments:
Heddy,
I think about you every day. Every time I look at my daughters with all of my love and admiration, I am reminded that you can't do the same. I saw your beautiful babies just this morning...they look more like you every day. I think about that night not too long ago when we stayed up all night talking. I dream sometimes that you're here at my house again, talking the night away with me while I tell you about the horrible nightmare I had. The one about you being stolen from us, from your babies. Because this has been a nightmare, things this terrible shouldn't happen in real life. You should still be here. The morning I heard what happened to you, after I stopped screaming and trembling, I was convinced it was all a big mistake. It couldn't be true. I thought "she's probably just hurt, they're wrong. We're going to get a call from the Doctor and he's going to say it was all a mistake. He'll tell us that it was a close call but your going to make it." But that call never came. What did come was a flood of family with eyes filled with pain, shock, confusion, and disbelief. Still, it didn't feel real. I wasn't ready to let you go. None of us were. I feel a sharp pain through my heart every time my daughter sees your picture on my wall and says "I miss Heather mommy, why did she die?". I don't even know what to tell her. I don't know why. I'll never understand why....All I know is I miss you. I love you. I'll never go a day without thinking of you. You will never be forgotten and our love for you will never fade. Now we will take that love for you and let it be your voice. We'll help you to say what you would if you could. That NO ONE should have to die at 23 at the hands of someone they trusted and loved. NO FAMILY should have to lose someone they love to violence. NO CHILD should have to witness abuse or be abused, or have to lose their parents. NO ONE should tolerate being mistreated. We all deserve better. Goodbye Heather. I love you forever!
My thoughts are this...I now reside in California, some 2200 miles from Chicago where it is only minutes away from February 22, the day my sweet little niece Heather was born to my youngest sister Linda and her husband Pat just 24 years ago. I thought of Heather while she was with us and wanted to see her each time I'd visit home. Heather made people around her laugh, she made us happy, she gave joy. In a few days it will be the one year anniversary of her death. We all miss her very much. Sometimes, it seems when you are away from home and family, when you're not able to see them or hear them...it gives you peace of mind just to know they are safe and so your life and theirs go on.
That day I got the call about Heather broke that peace, that security and it's never been the same since. These things, you read on the news or see on the six o'clock news. These things are not suppose to happen to you! Those were my unintended but calloused thoughts before this happened. Now....every story in every paper and every news report is unbearably real to me. They're not just stories....they are the disrupted, saddened, horrifying truths that are happening to real people.
I guess what I really mean to say is that I, we all loved Heather and now we'll never see her smiling face again... that hurts, everyday.
Sayumi and Uncle Robert,
Thank you for posting your thoughts here. It is very comforting to know that our family can come together in difficult times, even if we are in different parts of the country.
The closeness of our family has never been measured in miles, but in caring and loving each other.
Heather's life has been taken from us, but her liveliness has not. I see Heather's loss in Linda's eyes and hear Heather's absence in my mother's voice.
My Amber is the same age, I cannot even imagine what this is like for Pat and Linda. But I do know that we all need to do something in Heather's memory every day so she is never forgotten.
I love you both.
I can't believe that it has almost been a year the pain is still there everyday. I was so looking forward to spending time with your family when you moved back to Chicago....If only we could go back in time???? I have learned a lot from this tragedy, I cherish everyday we do not know what tomorrow will bring for us. I have also learned I am so fortunate to be part of such a beautiful and loving family that is there for everyone and always will be. Heather's quilt will be her beautiful memories, Heathers voice will help someone so thier family does not have go through what ours has.
I want to thank Laura for all you have done to bring this site to life, I know you did not do it alone but without your determination and hard work none of this would have happened.
Heather I will miss you everyday,
I will always be there for your Mom,Dad and your beautiful babies.
I still have an impossible time with this surreal thought. It all just seems like one horrible contiuous nightmere.I was just thinking of this beautiful little blonde girl, I was thinking about her relationship with her mother and when she was a little girl she always looked like a little doll,how she grew into such a beautiful mother, I don't think she even understood how beautiful she was. The week that Heather was ripped away I just remember the painful crys Linda made, how Heather had all these dreams for her for her babies. It's impossible to comprehend how someone can be possessed enough to think they have the power to take that away.I think my mind continually rejects this idea everyday ...that its true..it's too painful to even try.There's no understanding or tolerance in my heart. I have no doubt her dreams will be fulfilled... I know God will fulfill his promise,she is very precious in his sight. I appreciate very much the effort and love in my beautiful family,Heather's beautiful family.I wish I could be up north with you all right now. As for sweet Heather- "sleep tonight,may your dreams be realized" and when you wake there will be so much to say until then we will push forward,stay safe in his memory..sweet little girl..
So many times over this last year I have thought about Heather and her parents and her children. I knew Heather as a young preteen girl and I adored her. Today is her birthday and I think it is an awesome gift to launch this foundation in her memory and name. I would love to contribute in anyway I can to show my support and love for Heather and her family. I miss you Heather and wish so much, that I could have known you as the beautiful woman and mother you became. You will always be in my heart.
Jackie French-Human
On this day...Where I find myself once again at a loss of words. Nothing is ever easy. Heather's Voice is something that will honor Heather in a way that will change the world and change lives the way Heather did when she was alive. She had a face impossible to forget. She had beauty she couldn't even understand. Both inside and out. I remember her laughter so vividly. The way her nose crinkled. This year has been a journey for our family. Comparable to that of Frodo Baggins. But we have family and in all of us is lasting memories of Heather. Heather's soul still shines. You see that in her daughter Jewel's ability to remember every love she was ever given and her generous hugs that even on the hardest days make everything better. You see that in her daughter Mackenzie's sassy attitude that could make the crankiest people laugh, In her ability to see when someone is upset they need to feel needed, She gives that laugh, that hug. You see that in Laura's devotion to this cause, to this organization that brings peace to me. Knowing that this journey, this pain will be what stops another family from ever experiencing it. In that I find comfort in these tears. As painful as this tragedy has been. As impossible as it has been to understand...to comprehend. It taught me the price of a smile, the gift of a hug, and the importance of enjoying the smaller things in life. Because all of those things...are priceless. I love my family more than anything in the world. I love you Heather.
I was a good friend of Heather's for a few years. Eventually she moved away, but I never forgot her.
She was like a sister to me, she was always staying at my house over the summers after her parents moved away.
Considering we were both only children, it was nice having Heather around as the sister I never really had over the summers.
Eventually, we drifted apart and our lives went on.
When I found out Heather was going to be a mother, I was so happy and scared for her. I saw Heather shortly after she had MacKenzie, and realized she was one of the happiest mothers I have ever seen.
She was in love with her two beautiful girls.
I could tell she was a great mother just as she was a great friend, and a great sister to me.
I'll never forget the laughter, the fights, the long talks and girls nights we had at our parent's houses.
Any memory of Heather automatically brings a smile to my face.
It was and still is just as hard to know she is gone.
I am happy to see something is being done as I have known others to be victim's of domestic abuse.
It is nice to see Heather's family come together and show that they still love her by making her voice heard.
I wish you all the best and best of luck with Heather's Voice...I think it is an amazing thing you are all doing.
-M
I can resist anything except temptation.
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