The loss of a child can be extremely informative, telling you about your neighbors and community, your church, yourself and even the life of the lost son or daughter. A week ago, we received that knock on the door at 1:30 a.m. that no parent ever wants to receive. The Dunwoody Police Department came to inform us that our sweet 19 yr old Halle Grace Scott had died in a tragic auto accident with three of her best friends and that another – their Young Life leader was in critical condition a Athens Regional hospital.
Since then, this city of almost 50,000 has come together more like a small town to help our family rise above the ashes, questions, pain, grief and the uncertainty that follows the untimely death of a child. Our church, Dunwoody United Methodist Church (DUMC) opened its doors to all those reeling from this tragedy to come together, pray and strengthen each other. Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) at Dunwoody High School hosted a prayer vigil, put up signs and ribbons, and even changed the language on the high school marquee to remember Halle. Several of her former teachers have been to our home and attended Halle’s funeral service.
And though police departments across the country seem to be getting a lot of bad press, our Dunwoody PD hand-delivered a beautiful card signed by every office and staff member. The Dunwoody mayor and council sent flowers. A Wynterhall neighbor made red and black bows for every mailbox in our neighborhood. Members of our Sunday School class organized and delivered enough food and meals to open a restaurant. The DUMC clergy and staff prepared the most beautiful celebration of life service , and many people, including some we’ve never met, came to pay respects. Our contemporary worship leader even wrote and composed “Halles’ Song” for the service. Dunwoody Baptist Church members and pastor drove the shuttle buses to the service. Our home looks like a flower shop and too many people to count have dropped by to express their condolences or to tell us how much they loved Halle. Your support has been almost as overwhelming as the circumstance which took our daughter. The stories shared about all of these girls has been a true witness to the power of God. We ask that you continue to pray for us, the families of Christina Semeria, Brittany Feldman, Kayla Canedo, and Agnes Kim, who remains in critical condition in the hospital in Athens.
My wife, son and I would like to express our sincere appreciation to all that are helping us through this very difficult time, including Dunwoody United Methodist Church, the Women of the Word Ministry, Dunwoody High School, Dunwoody Police Department, The University of Georgia, our neighbors and the entire Dunwoody community and beyond for the kindness shown our family at this awful period in time.
The loss of a child can be extremely informative. We’ve been informed how great the Dunwoody community in which we live truly is.
The Scott Family
