Little white crosses
Bishop’s Falls woman working to tell the stories of the people who died on province’s highways
Georgina Jennings and her husband Brian spend countless hours every week driving on the province’s highways.
Brian is an essential worker in the IT field and his works includes a lot of travel to various towns and communities. Georgina often accompanies him on those long drives and, as they make their way from one location to another, her attention and curiosity has been draw the little white crosses placed along the Trans-canada Highway.
“We moved from St. John’s to Bishop’s Falls in January and we do a lot of travelling,” says Georgina. “Every time we go to Gander, for instance, I always see a light pole with teddy bears and balloons attached to it and I always wonder what happened to that person. I found out recently that memorial is for an eight-year-old boy. Every time I pass it now, I see his face and his whole story comes to mind.”
Georgina has discovered the story of that little boy since she launched the White Cross Book project just a few weeks ago on social media. Already, submissions from Newfoundland and Labrador are pouring in. She wants to document the stories behind these white crosses and roadside memorials along the highways in the hope of honouring those lives lost.
“When I see these crosses in the middle of nowhere on the highway, I always think, ‘Where were they going? Where were they from? Did they have children? What were their dreams?’ It crosses your mind and I wonder what happened. I know many other people have asked (themselves) the same things.”
Her White Cross Book will answer many of those questions as she strives to put a name and face to those markers. She has received about 40 submissions so far, and hopes to gather approximately 100 for the final project.
“I have received many stories and every single one would break your heart. One lady reached out to me and said her brother had an accident in Ontario and was fine. Then he moved back home to Newfoundland and he was going to visit a relative and was killed,” she says.
“I’ve heard stories of people coming home for Christmas who were killed on our highways, as well as a story of a lady who passed away after swimming in a pond on the side of the road. An eel touched her foot and she was anaphylactic and she went in shock and they couldn’t save her.”
The tragic stories she has received are varied – from devastating highway vehicle accidents to fatal hit and runs, drownings in roadside ponds and more. And, sadly, many of the submission recount the loss of a very young life.
“People are sending in pictures and it’s so touching. Now, when my husband and I drive by, we see that person - we see their face. We notice every single (marker) on the highway,” she adds, noting that her eyes are now always searching for them.
“I get messages from moms telling me about how their child died on the highway 12 years ago but it still feels like yesterday. It’s hard to hear (the stories). And the submissions are usually signed ‘Richard’s mom’ for example. They pain today is just a real as it was for them back then. Tears roll down my face as I read them especially when I see the pictures. It touches your heart.”
Georgina says the response to her book idea has been overwhelmingly positive as families express their appreciation in keeping the memory of their loved one alive. Those whose stories are featured in the book will receive a copy for free, and anyone who has expressed interest in purchasing a copy will have a chance to make a donation to a local charity or non-profit group in exchange for the book. Those details will be worked out as the project evolves.
“We have no intention of selling the book for profit,” Georgina explains, adding she hopes to have it compiled before the end of the year.
“This is something we are doing on our own. We want to do this. It’s about commemorating these people and keeping their memory alive. It’s been quite the experience so far.”
GO ONLINE
To learn more about the White Cross Book project, reach out to organizer Georgina Jennings on her Facebook page “White Cross Book Information.” You can also email her directly at whitecrossbook@outlook. com.
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
If you would like to send a submission, suggested pieces of information to include are:
Loved one’s name
Age
Date of birth
Hometown
Parents, siblings, grandparents etc. Favourite things
Silly stories Personality
Photos of any age
Photos of cross, monuments, resting place etc.
Date of accident
Location of accident
Any message you would want written to your loved one
Anything special you would like to add
“When I see these crosses in the middle of nowhere on the highway, I always think, ‘Where were they going? Where were they from? Did they have children? What were their dreams?’”
Georgina Jennings