Thank You

Posted by: Andee / Category: ,


Thank you for everyone who sent me messages, left me comments, and emailed me after I posted about my cousin's death.

Taft Ahlstrom, my cousin, was 19 years old and a passenger in the car that was hit by another vehicle. He was killed at the scene along with the other two people in the car. I take small comfort in the fact that it was probably an instant thing, and that the people in the car didn't suffer.

Taft was named after Ezra Taft Benson, a Mormon prophet. His mother and father are strong in their faith of the church, and they are finding what comfort they can in their beliefs right now. Taft was getting ready to go on his mission.

My heart goes out to everyone who was effected by the crash. Three young, promising lives were taken yesterday, and the photos of the crash have been displayed on the news and in newspapers which makes things harder in my opinion. This is a copy of an article in the Salt Lake Tribune about the crash, I hope they don't mind me posting it. It was written by Erin Alberty... I like to give proper credit for the news articles I share here.

Two co-workers and their friend died in a car wreck Saturday afternoon near Grantsville.

Bailey Corless, 17, and Taft Ahlstrom, 20, both of Grantsville, were riding in a Dodge Spirit driven by Kendra Naisbitt, 23, of Bluffdale, at about 3:45 p.m., heading west on State Road 138, said Utah Highway Patrol spokesman Jeff Plank.

An 18-year-old from Stansbury Park was driving a Ford 500 east on 138 when he crossed the center line and collided with the Dodge head-on, Plank said.

Corless, Ahlstrom and Naisbitt died at the scene, Plank said. Naisbitt was the only occupant wearing a seat belt, but the shoulder strap was pushed behind her back at the time of the crash, Plank said.

Corless and Ahlstrom worked together at Macey's Food and Drug in Tooele, where co-workers and managers were mourning Saturday night.

"We're just watching the seconds tick to midnight [closing time]," said Lezli Dickinson, who was supervisor to Corless and Ahlstrom. "We're going to miss them terribly. It's like losing two of my own kids."

Ahlstrom's uncle, Troy Johnson, said his nephew was "easy to like" and often formed teams with his friends to play Grantsville variations on the reality game show "Survivor."

"He was friends with everybody," Johnson said.

Officers are investigating why the driver of the Ford crossed the center line, Plank said. He was wearing a safety belt and is expected to make a full recovery, Plank said.


As you can see, Taft was loved by everyone. I will miss him.

Please, everyone... wear your seat belts.

Andee


13 comments:

  1. Anonymous Says:
    March 22, 2009 at 8:01 PM

    Taft will be greatly missed! I only knew him for a little while, but he was great!

  1. Andee Says:
    March 22, 2009 at 8:18 PM

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my cousin, anonymous. He *was* great!

    Andee

  1. Unknown Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 3:46 PM

    Andee,
    Great little thing you wrote. Will I see you at the funeral?

  1. Unknown Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    Andee,
    What a great little article you wrote. So horrible for our family. Will I see you and your mom and the funeral?

  1. Anonymous Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 5:58 PM

    Im so sorry for the family, Taft was really a great guy with a lot of potential. We had dated for a little while and he really had fun with life and was very loyal to the ones he loved cared about, i was so exited to hear he was getting ready to go on a mission, i guess god had another plan in mind for him. I always cared about him and what was going on in his life

  1. Andee Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 7:57 PM

    Hey Lyle!

    Holy Crap, I never once considered anyone from the family (besides Mom and Cody) would see the blog. I hope you like it, I have been working on it for a long time. I am sure you might disagree with most of the stuff I say, but it's cool that you found it.

    I am really broken hearted about this. I am sure you remember all of the good times the cousins had at Grandma and Grandpa's house. All of the ice cream and the games in the front yard... he was a part of that, and it really sucks that he is suddenly gone.

    It's clear he touches many, many lives. He will never be forgotten.

    Mom and I will definitely be there, we wouldn't miss it.

    Love ya!
    Andee

  1. Andee Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 8:05 PM

    Anonymous,

    Thank you very, very much for sharing your thoughts on my cousin. He was a really good person, and we will never forget him.

    So many of my childhood memories are of my cousins and I hanging out at our grandparent's house. We did the normal stuff like watch television and play games... he was just a big part of my memories, and I cherish those memories more than he could ever know.

    It's so sad this happened. Three promising lives were ripped from us on Saturday. It proves that you never know when your time is up, and that you should live each day living each day to it's fullest.

    Thanks again,
    Andee

  1. Andee Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    Oooh, one more quick thing...

    I don't know for *fact* that Taft was saving for his mission, but it's something a couple family members believe to be true. I should have mentioned that... I believe it's true.

    Andee

  1. Unknown Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 9:16 PM

    Andee,

    Please! You're family! I don't judge what you write or your beliefs! You're entitled. And besides, I'm in no position to tell anyone how to live theirlife or how to observe their religion! I actually just stumbled upon this and I'm so glad I did. I love ya!

  1. maybemaybenot Says:
    March 23, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    Andee,

    As a long-time follower of your blog, I feel like I know you. When you read about someone's thoughts and impressions and feelings and see their pictures on a daily basis, you begin to know them. Even if you don't sit in a room with them or go to lunch with them, etc.

    I have read your blog almost from the beginning and I do know you more than most of my assocaites and colleagues. I consider you my friend, with whom I have a lot in common.

    That being said, I feel great sorrow for your loss and hope that your heart will find peace, in time. I don't understand why these things happen, but it can be so hard to endure.

    Hold strong, dear friend. Many are thinking of you during this very trying time.

    Sincerely,

    Jennifer

  1. Andee Says:
    March 24, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    Lyle,

    You are a cool guy. Thanks. I hope you like the blog. Feel free to leave comments whenever you like.

    Andee

  1. Andee Says:
    March 24, 2009 at 7:24 AM

    Jennifer,

    You are really, really sweet.

    I feel like I know you, too. I consider you a part of my online family to be honest with you...

    Thank you for being there. I am concerned for Taft's parents and his brother and sister. They are the ones suffering the most right now. He was a good kid.

    Andee

  1. Anonymous Says:
    May 26, 2009 at 6:11 PM

    I just barely found this I think its great what you wrote about taft. He was one of my best friends I still think about him all the time. I miss him but I know I will see him again someday! :]

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