Wildcats: Scarred, grateful

Our hockey team wishes to extend our thanks to the community on the anniversary of the Wildcats bus accident.

Jan. 29, 2012, markede the anniversary when our bus, families and hearts were divided. It was seven years ago when our lives were changed forever.

Have you ever driven somewhere with no recollection of your journey? How we are, where we are today, is a question many of us have been unable or unsure of how to answer.

We’ve floated along for seven years now without direction or comprehension. We’ve been strapped onto a roller coaster and try as we have to slow down the ride, undo our seatbelts and run like hell, this is our life now.

These mental, emotional and physical scars are all part of who we are now and we’ve learned how to adapt. Although our scars will fade, they will never vanish, and the memories will remain forever.

We are still learning how to cope with our losses, injuries and setbacks and there are sorrows we may never understand or overcome. However, perhaps life isn’t meant to be understood but simply lived?

With the seventh anniversary passing now, we wanted to seize the moment and use this milestone as an opportunity to express our sincerest gratitude.

To our family and friends:

You have witnessed and shared, first-hand, our sorrows, pain, suffering, hardships and desperation. You have seen us in our weakest moments, in the hardest of times, and you have stood tall before, beside and behind us.

You went above and beyond to ease our pain and shoulder the weight of this heavy blow. Your strength gives us strength; your faith gives us courage and your love carried us through.

We will persevere. We will survive and we owe the utmost thanks to you.

To the general public of the Windsor/ Essex area, to communities across the country and to Geneseo, N.Y., Rochester, N.Y., and surrounding areas:

You, as complete strangers, opened your hearts and your homes to us. You immediately rallied behind us, filling halls, arenas and donation boxes to somehow lessen our burdens, and in turn, you filled our hearts.

We were floored by your generosity and compassion and we will never forget the love and support you have endlessly bestowed upon us. I can only hope that we will open our hearts as entirely as you have, should we ever come across someone in need like we were in that time.

To the emergency responders and medical personnel involved:

Speaking on my own behalf, I personally know that I would not be alive today if it were not for your working hands, minds and hearts. In the most chaotic of times, you showed the most order, composure and professionalism and you did all you could until there was nothing left for you to do. To all of you: You make us want to heal and get better for you. More importantly, you make us want to get better for us.

On behalf of the 2004- 05 Windsor Wildcats Intermediate ‘BB’ hockey team, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts, actions and words.

We are forever grateful and indebted to you.