My name is Debbie Curwen and I live in Peebles, Scotland. I am 17 and in sixth year at Peebles High School. I would like to tell you about the tragic loss of my cousin.
It’s always hard losing someone, whether it’s a friend that moves away or someone you are close to, but death is the hardest thing to overcome. My cousin was only eight years old when she died and she still lives close to the hearts of the people who knew and loved her.
It seemed like a dream waking up on the 30th July 2001 to hear that Helen had drowned. My sister told me what happened but I didn’t know whether to believe her or not. My parents were working and devastated to hear the news on their return. The details were not clear, and the news gave different versions of what they believed to be true.
The following week the funeral took place. It was the first I had been to. The last time I was at the church was for my aunt and uncle’s wedding. It seemed like yesterday that Helen had been running up and down the aisle and now she was in the centre of everyone’s thoughts. There were no smiling faces or my aunt in her wedding dress, just a small coffin with a beautiful bouquet of flowers upon it. The family were crushed.
My main emotion through my experience was regret, as I was not able to tell my cousin how much I cared for her. I wish I had spent more time with her and see her grow up. I had visited the pool she had drowned in a few years previously. My memory of the pool filled with light and laughter has now left me wondering how it happened.
Two years on, Helen never got to meet her little sister.
I have learned a lot from what happened to her. Always to appreciate people for who they are no matter how much they may annoy you because they will not always be there in the future.
Tell them how much you love them.
Debbie
