Remembering Celina...
By xfahctor
@xfahctor (14118)
Lancaster, New Hampshire
August 2, 2011 2:34pm CST
It has been more than 24 hours now since they pulled her lifeless form from the Connecticut River. We say around here that the river giveth...and the river taketh. And once again, it has taken, taken this precious little girl from our community...from her friends...from her family.
My last memory of this wonderful little girl was of her walking in to her aunts (who is my neighbor) apartment with her mother and sister. I had been outside on my porch having a cigarette and taking in an early warm spring day. I hollered a quick hello to her mother, whom I have known for a number of years. She smiled waved and continued inside with the girls in tow.
She was always a very well mannered young lady, shy and a a bit introverted, but always smiling. She would sometimes be outside in the apartment complex when she was down visiting, playing basket ball with her sister, cousins and a few other neighborhood kids. I'm no basketball authority but she always seemed to do really well.
I cannot begin to imagine the pain her parents and family are going through. And a lot of comments I have seen by news pundits and commenter in news websites from viewers....well, I just hope her family is somehow miraculously shielded from them. But I know in today's connected world, they will not be. They do not deserve this...they have suffered enough with Celina's loss.
Rest in peace sweet child. I will miss seeing your smiling face outside. I will never be able to look at that basketball hoop again in quite the same way.
8 people like this
9 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
3 Aug 11
That is such a sad event. I really expected her to turn up at some friends house. It is a very strange and sad story. My heart goes out to the family and friends of this child and knowing that she is not suffering but in heaven may be of some comfort.
2 people like this
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
4 Aug 11
xfahctor,
My condolences to your friend's loss and like any deaths especially a young child, it just pains all of us.
I do hope that there will be an awakening message for parents with young children here and that is never let them out of our plain sight. So, I am upset when adult parents leave their child unattended in their cars, swimming pools, beaches or playgrounds.
Let's hope that the family will find closure and recover in due time.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
2 Aug 11
I'm so sorry for all who knew her, what a tragic loss. And how tragic that our children can't be safe even in their own homes. I hope they catch whoever did this to her. Although punishing someone won't bring her back, at least they'll get that person off the street so some other little girl might have a chance to grow up. 
@la_chique (1498)
•
2 Aug 11
I do hope it was just an accident and nothing more. I hate to think that anyone's last moments are filled with fear or pain from another person.
1 person likes this
@la_chique (1498)
•
2 Aug 11
such a sad ending for this poor little girl. My thoughts are with you, and all who knew her - especially with her family. I cant imagine what they are going through. I hope they can come to terms with her loss, and remember in the sweetest ways.
1 person likes this
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
2 Aug 11
That is so sad.. so sorry to hear this sad conclusion..
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
20 Aug 11
X, I'm so sorry I took so long to respond to this discussion but when I heard about this poor young girl and where she was from I thought of you and actually wondered if she was from anywhere near where you live. How sad you must feel! When tragedies like this happen I always feel heartbroken although I don't know the victims or their families so I can only imagine how you must feel. Thank you for posting this and putting it into the proper perspective. In cases like these the media does some good in making the public aware when someone goes missing but they often do more harm than good with their exploitation and "anything for a story" attitude.
R.I.P., Celina. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Annie
@magrylouyu (1627)
• United States
3 Aug 11
This story just breaks my heart. Too many young children are being killed lately. My heart goes out to her family and friends and anybody else affected by this. She seemed like such a talented young lady and I followed her disapperance on the news from the day it happened. I just moved out of NH back to CT and it feels like it still hit close to home. I think anybody with a heart feels the pain of what her family is going through. Rest in peace young lady. May you never be hurt again.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
3 Aug 11
I was just back in CT myself a few weeks ago, went right through Barkamsted in fact on my way to Norfolk and Torrington. I had almost forgotten how beautiful the Barkamsted/Pleasant Valley area was. But the bridge doesn't make that funny noise anymore :( It was always something my brothers and I would wait for on our way to the camp ground, lol.
1 person likes this
@magrylouyu (1627)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Barkhamsted is very beautiful that's where I live. I too am very disapointed they updated the bridge. It gave the town the old feeling and having it updated just took away the feeling through that area.
