On Shattered Wings: A Family's Journey from Grief to Hope

A parent's worst nightmare: a ringing phone at 2 a.m.Five months after they graduated high school, eighteen-year-old Carolyn and nineteen-year-old Jennifer, had gone to a party. Best friends from the time they were young, the girls, with their blonde hair and wisplike physiques, looked so much alike they could have been twins.It was well past midnight when they left the party where both girls had been drinking. Carolyn was driving her red Grand Am. Both girls fastened their seat belts. They had the music turned up.The road was straight. It was easy for a vehicle to pick up speed quickly.Jennifer said she wanted a different CD. Carolyn told her it was on the back seat.Jennifer unbuckled her seat belt.Nearly 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day — that night, Jennifer was one of them.On Shattered Wings is the powerful story of the people left behind and their powerful life lessons for us all, an unforgettable true story of a family’s struggle to survive overwhelming sorrow amidst ongoing unexpected and startling events. Along the way, they discover the value of faith, the insignificance of regrets, and the realization there can be joy again through harnessing pain into healing action for themselves and others.“A powerful read for anyone experiencing profound grief or for those wanting to help others through difficult times. It is invaluable in shedding light on the shattering impact of driving impaired or distracted.”—Lori Marshall, Program Manager, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Kansas State Office Read more