Carrie

I'm so sad today and I'm sitting here at work fighting back tears. As some of you reading this know, a childhood friend of mine, Carrie Daugherty, was murdered in Knoxville early Weds. am. I am in total shock and disbelief. If it weren't for the news reports, NDHS alumni e-mails, posts to her myspace and facebook pages, I honestly would not believe this happened. It almost makes you feel guilty to grieve so much over a single person when sick and senseless acts of violence happen to people all over the world every day. But when it hits home like this, to someone you know, someone your age, it scares and hurts you so much. I literally feel like my heart is broken and I have an indescribable sadness and sorrow for her family.

I remember Carrie being well liked and popular as early as kindergarten. I mean, who is popular in kindergarten? Carrie was and for great reason. As kids I, and everyone else, wanted to be her friend. Carrie was outgoing, pretty, nice, and hilarious. She was wise beyond her years as far as her wit goes and I remember specific moments where she had our whole class laughing so hard we cried. I went to preschool and kindergarten with Carrie at St. Peters and then elementary school at St. Jude. I have many St. Jude memories with Carrie. From about 5th grade on, Carrie choreographed dances to the talent shows to songs like Boyz II Men's "Motown Philly" and Weezer's "Buddy Holly". I was never in the dances, but always wanted to be in them because they were just the coolest dances. I attended 1 of my first concerts with Carrie and a couple of other friends. It was a Boyz II Men and Brandy concert at UTC arena, "the roundhouse" as it was known in those days. We were in 6th grade and I remember being jealous of her because she had a boyfriend and he was there at the concert, arms around her. Carrie and I became good friends in 6th grade and later that year, my mom took Carrie, two friends Natalie and Katie, and I to Atlanta for my 12th birthday. We made our picture at Dave and Busters, snuck into the hotel swimming pool late at night and swam and danced to TLC's "Red Light Special", and all watched our first porno movie (BY ACCIDENT!) on HBO on the hotel's tv.

In 7th grade, Carrie took over my year book and wrote comments all through it about a crush I had on a certain guy. I wish I had that year book in front of me cuz I remember laughing my ass off reading it. When we were in 8th grade, I joined the cheer leading team where Carrie was head cheerleader. We made history that year because we were the only squad ever (and probably since) that painted our faces in red and white (St. Jude Saints colors), and sprayed red dye in our hair...all of that Carrie's idea. Carrie always had a love for Garth Brooks, George Strait, and all the other old classics. She especially had a love for Garth though, professing her love for him on many occasions. She fought for The River to be our 8th grade graduation song. Carrie got her wish and we sang "I will sail my vessel, to the river runs dry.." loud and proud at graduation.

In high school, Carrie was just as popular as she had always been and became involved with everything. She was a cheerleader all 4 years and active in numerous groups and organizations at Notre Dame. We grew apart in high school but always had a kind and funny word to say to each other in class or in passing in the halls. Years after we graduated, I ran into Carrie at a Widespread Panic concert and I was so excited to see her because I had no idea she was a fan. We became friends on myspace and facebook and kept in touch periodically.

No words I say can do her memory and impact on others justice. She was too great of a person to sum up words or in a blog. But looking back on all these memories does bring a much needed smile to my face. I will miss her and wish I could have spent more time with her in her last years. I know this blog is supposed to be about Sterling and me, but this is the first person I have lost that I feel such extreme emotion for. Carrie and I were not best friends or even close these last years, but I know that if I ran into her at anytime, she would greet me with a big hug and smile, as she would anyone. For all you reading this out there, please pray, wish, feel, whatever you believe, for this family and for her kind soul. Her family has had a lot of tragedy in the past year and they need all the support they can get. Thanks for taking the time to read this. God bless you Carrie and your family.