She was three years old the day I met her. I looked into the saddest eyes I’ve ever seen on a little girl. Beautiful long blond hair cascaded down her back and feathered her cheeks. I noticed a large scar down one side of her face, but never mentioned it. I looked up at her mother and saw another pair of sad eyes. I couldn’t figure out what could have happened for a child so young to look so sad or for a mother who carried the same look.

I got on my knees and got close to eye level with the little girl. “How would you like a bag of cotton candy?” I asked her. She didn’t look at me for a moment. I said, “I’ll give you one if you tell me you like cotton candy.” It was then she looked into my eyes. The little blond head slowly nodded yes. I looked up to her mom and said, “Is it ok with you?” I saw tears sliding down her cheeks as she nodded her head yes.

I stood up and reached for a bag of cotton candy and handed it to the little girl. Her mom kept thanking me, and I brushed it off, saying, “I have kids too.” It was then she told me the story.

You may have read about this little blond girl just a few years ago. You may have seen the photos on television. Her name is Amy Crowder. Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama dedicated their annual pamphlet to her. Amy was the last survivor of the F5 tornado that struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama that year. The day I met her, she was released from Children’s Hospital where she spent over three months. Her brother was killed in that horrible tornado, as well as her daddy. Amy is very conscious of the scar that is on her face.

After her mom told me who she was, I remembered reading about her in the paper and seeing the rescue team that found her barely alive.

Before Amy and her mom left my shop that day, I bent down again to Amy and said, “You are a very beautiful little girl.” I then handed her a stuffed animal I had on display. It was then I saw a spark in those little eyes and a hint of a smile on her small face. I then handed her mom a card and told her I too had lost a child and if she ever needed to talk, just call me or email me.

Amy has never been in my shop since that day. I’ve often thought of her, her mom, and how they are doing with the two losses they both had the day so many lost their lives in that terrible tornado that struck central Alabama.

Since that day, we now have a tornado shelter built into the ground. I live less than 20 miles from where Amy’s brother and father died. I know these storms. I know loss. And I know that there is a reason for everything, and that Amy and her mom’s lives were spared was for a reason. But I’m also glad I had the opportunity to meet that little blue-eyed girl who had the saddest eyes I have ever seen.

Sharon Bryant 1946@bellsouth.net

About Me:

I am Sharon Bryant, 59 years old and reside in Alabama. I lost my child in 1977 when he was five and I write articles on bereavement often.

I am a chocolate/candy maker and also a wood crafter and knitter.

I am married to a wonderful man, and have two remaining children, a daughter 25, Amy, and a second son, Randy, age 22.

My main goal in life is to help those who have lost a child. My website is: www.angelsremembered.tk