Kendra Shay Elswick

Today makes 4 years since my sister's best friend and one of my good friends passed away in a car wreck. I remember that day like it was yesterday. There were rumors going around school that something had happened, but no one really knew who or what. I got to last period, band, and our director was there and then in came our principal. They had just gotten official word about Kendra's death and told us first. Kendra was the colorguard captain and one of our most memorable members. They stood in front of everyone and told us that she had passed away, the room was immediately heavy. I walked to the back of the room where my sister was standing and gave her a huge hug. We were crying, my sister was screaming, and everyone was truly shocked. How could this beautiful, fun loving, senior die? Needless to say it was a really hard week in our school and especially in our band. I spent several mornings in the band room with friends crying and talking about Kendra memories.

The morning that Kendra died she was wearing a shirt that said "Today is the best day of my life... I hear tomorrow will be even better." Her tomorrow was even better because she was with the Lord. It is comforting to know that she is with our Maker and Savior. Here are some pictures of this fun loving, crazy, hello kitty loving, beautiful, amazing girl.

One of Kendra's Senior pictures. She was a beautiful girl with a huge smile all the time :D

Quentin and Kendra being goofy. She loved being crazy and acting funny.

Kendra on a competition day. She was an amazing guard captain and was very intentional and caring with my sister when she was just starting out with guard.

Kendra and my little sister, Carol, at Senior night.

Kendra singing at Jr. Miss.

Kendra Shay's grave - complete with Hello Kitty angel, senior picture, and the quote that was on her shirt when she died.

The song Never Alone by Barlow Girl makes me think of Kendra every time I hear it to this day. Here are the lyrics:

I waited for you today

But You didn't show

No.No.No.

I needed You today

So where did you go?

You told me to call

you said You'd be there

And though I haven't seen You

Are You still there?

I cried out with no reply and

I can't feel You by my side

So I'll hold tight to what I know

You're here and I'm never alone.

And though I can not see You

and I can't explain why.

Such a deep, deep reassurance

You've placed in my life oh

We cannot separate

'Cause You're part of me

and though You're invisible

I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply

And I can't feel You by my side

So I'll hold tight to what I know

You're here and I'm never alone

We cannot separate

You're part of me

and though You're invisible

I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply

and I can't feel You by my side

So I'll hold tight to what I know

You're here and I'm never alone