Paramedics.

Dog barking.

Chaos. 

On June 23, 2014 Kara Weber , a 2019 NHS graduate’s  world flips upside down. The day starts off like every other day.  Kara’s mom goes to wake her dad, but life takes a dramatic turn.  Her dad unexpectedly passes away that morning. While the cause of his death is unknown, Weber believes it is because of  a heart attack.  

“I knew I had to be strong. My mom wasn’t doing well, and I knew I had to be strong for her.”

She talks with guidance counselors at school and relies on friends and family during this time. Her younger brother also relies on the support of friends.

“My mom ran into our old pastor at Walmart. He was supportive and expressed his condolences. We moved back to our original church, New Hope, and we received so much support.”

Kara said that her faith is a big part of what got her through this time.

“I prayed a lot.”

She reflects.

“My favorite memory of him . . . this is a hard question because I have so many but it would probably have to be a daddy – daughter dance he took me to every January.” 

Sharing helps her cope.

“ If I had him back for a day . . oh my gosh . . . I wouldn’t take it for granted. I’d tell him I love him. I’d spend every second of that day talking to him. I’d stay up all night and talk with him.  I feel like in the time he was here, I took so much for granted.”

Clearly, Kara learns a valuable lesson during this time.  High school ends and life moves forward.

Now Kara is a freshman at UWO pursuing a degree in Nursing. 

“ I know he’ll always be with me in my heart.” 

*This story is dedicated to Curt Weber.