This coming year will be the 10th Anniversary of losing
Emily. Ellen and I would like to share the statement we
released on the 1st Anniversary.” – John Michael Keyes
Statement from September 27, 2007:
When lightning strikes. And the after-flash sears
clenched eyes. And the outcome feels far away from
possibility, or even reality... Choice still exists. The
choice of sorrow. The choice of response. The choice
of dignity. The choice of community. The choice of love.
Last year our world changed. For my family, and many of
you and yours. And since then, our community has lost
friends and family. But we can show each other, our kids
and the world, that even in the face of tragedy, we can
laugh, we can help, we can be excellent. We just can.
There’s been a lot of talk about the kids. Sometimes it’s
hard to show kids that the world is an uncertain place. But
I think it’s OK to let our kids know, even though the world
is uncertain, we love you. And you, my child, can embrace
life and laughter and vigor and strength and future, even in
the face of uncertainty or loss. Not just “Life goes on,” but
“Seize every spark of life as you go fearlessly through it.”
Some may try to make September 27th a day of somber
grieving. Resist. Some may shed a tear. I know I will, but
I’ll also revel in having been touched by a smart, fiery,
compassionate, stubborn, friendly, tough and fragile, loving
young woman.
So I ask this community, the folks of Bailey, to raise a
glass, blow a kiss or give a nod, to the memory of Emily.
But spend the day living. Show your community that you’re
part of it. Make something good happen. Do something
kind. Or just pass a friendly greeting along. Play rock-n-roll.
And if you happen to be at an organized or spontaneous
gathering, look around and recognize what amazing people
we all are. Squint at the brilliance of our humanity. And with
wide-eyed wonder, face what the future might bring.
I love you guys.
John-Michael Keyes
Ellen Stoddard-Keyes
Please enjoy the photographs collected from previous runs.
Photos courtesy of Emily’s Parade and Thunder Roads® Colorado
28 Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado
April 2016
www.thunderroadscolorado.com