World Day of Remembrance

posted November 16, 2024 - 12:09am

In recognition of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, November 17th, the City of Madison will install a memorial display and host a press conference to remember the lives lost due to traffic violence on City of Madison streets. Over the past five years, Madison has experienced 71 tragic fatalities within 65 fatal crashes.

“Everyone is a pedestrian, even if it’s just to cross a parking lot,” says Wendi Dwyer, a representative of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, who sustained life-threatening injuries in 2023 when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing a Madison street. “Drivers are just pedestrians behind the wheel. Paying attention and following the rules keep everyone safe.” Full article here.

September is almost over! Another year, another hellish month. September is my heaviest month, and the weight builds up every day until the calendar marks September 26. Nothing seems to go easy in September.

I have previously shared that September is the month my father, my sister, my two brothers, my brother-in-law, and my sister-in-law were born. There are many celebrations of life and welcomed changes in the weather. Fresh, crisp, cool air and beautiful colors transform the trees into Fall.

But September is also a month of transformation, a reminder of life’s unpredictability, a reminder of purpose and self-reflection. It reminds me that it is okay to be your true self and not let others dictate who you are. It is okay to let go of toxic relationships when prioritizing life. It reminds me that I am not responsible for others' feelings or actions and can only control my outcome.

Every year, I find myself pushing through September as if there were a steel wall stopping me from getting to the other side. Anxiety sparks, sleep deprivation sets in, exhaustion is overwhelming, my thoughts become scattered, and stress amplifies in every situation. This month, the council work has been even more complex, and the needs and struggles people in the community are facing feel much heavier.

But here we are, September 26, a celebration of the lives of two sisters whose physical form was cut short but whose spirits continue to impact my life. It was a loss that took my sense of purpose, but after years of grief, their loss gave me a new look at life and a new chance to be a better version of myself. It is a reminder to evaluate each situation and to have the courage to embrace it or to let go.

Britt and Moose are always nearby, especially in times of darkness; their light shines on my path when I feel lost. They have proven that matter cannot be created or destroyed. It only changes forms. Today, I let myself be vulnerable to the memory of saying goodbye nine years ago. I will let tears roll to renew my soul. The steel wall will bend, and by tomorrow, I will be on the other side, continuing to fulfill a promise to live on my terms. To be my authentic self!

Don’t drink and drive! Be responsible. Drunk driving is not a mistake; it is a choice.