7/20/1994

15 years ago I lost my mother to a drunk driver.

My mother, Karelene and 3 month old Colby and I went for a walk, and were struck by a drunk driver.

My mother was killed instantly.

Colby was life flighted to Primary Children's hospital with a closed fractured skull, partial right nerve paresis with of his eye, and hemorrhaging on the brain.

I sustained a major open fracture to my right leg, my tibia and broke my left pelvis and really messed up my left knee, had 3 stables to the back of my head. Had abrasions all over my back, which I later found out I had fracture my back on the right side.

I almost lost the 2 people who mattered most to me that night.

I thank God for letting me keep my son!

Colby was at Salt lake for only 3 days. It is remarkable how babies can recover. I was told that he may have injuries that were undetected do to his hemorrhaging.

He had never been with anyone beside myself and my mother and Penny.

I was in the hospital for I think 15 days. I was in a wheel chair for 5-6 months. I really don't remember how many surgeries I had.

Colby had 5 surgeries on his one eyes and 1 on both.

He had went from a 3 month old back to new born stage.

He has TBI (traumatic brain injury, translation: learning difficulties.)

He had some seizures when he was younger, but nothing as he has gotten older.

I know that everything happens for a reason, and I will have to leave it at that........

What I want to remember most for today and every year on this day is:

My mothers love.

My mother's voice. How soft, and kind and warm it could be.

How she raised me.

With love and kindness, and passion for what we believe in.

Strength and courage.

I love you, mom,

today and everyday.

And we miss you.

I know that my mother is with God in heaven watching over me and my children.

I remember Colby waking up one morning when he was about 2yrs old, telling me that he "flew" with grandma.

So we know.

I am thankful for my mom and all the memories I have with and of her!

1. The most important 1.!! For her being her!

(and everyone how knew my mother, or "Mrs. Cloward" knows what I am talking about!!!)

2. All the cards and letters she would send us, to school or at camp. Wherever we would go, if she wasn't with us, she would make she to send us something in the mail while we were away!

3. Oh and my mothers hand writing.

Her making EACH of our birthdays special!!!

Always letting us have our friends and making it cool!

And cooking for us all!

For always taking us (and sometimes are friends too)to All the events!!!

For putting us with us!!!

And still loving us "no matter what"!

For ALWAYS being there for us!

For being the "best" GRANDMA to my Colby!!!


I am so thankful for having the chance to raise my son,

who is now a healthy 15 year old!

He was a awesome little boy!!!!

The best little traveler!

And has turned into a caring, loving Young MAN!

Every year we let off mauve balloons for my mother.

One for every year.

We send grandma a gift to Heaven, to show her we remember.

So if today you are near Blackfoot, and you see 15 PINK balloons,

They are for my mother,

and my sisters and brother's mother.

My children's grandmother,

my nephews and nieces grandmother.

My father's wife.

They are for

Karelene Allyce Coram Cloward!

And we love & miss her.

7`20`94