By Carianne ChrenkoIn loving memory of Amanda Hale
October 05, 2001
Amanda was one of those unique people that you automatically love when they walk into your life. For me, she was an encourager. Amanda was always stocked with a supply of cards to write notes of encouragement to her friends. She always noticed when my day was not going well, and I would later receive both a card and hug from Amanda sympathizing with my situation.
Amanda loved music, and she was very involved in the music program here at SAU. To those of you who are not in music, this program takes a long time to complete. It is hard to finish in just four years. Can I get an "Amen" from the music majors? Add to that music major a math minor, as well as teaching certification in both the elementary and secondary levels, and you can understand why Amanda had every reason to be busy. Yet she did not let life's responsibilities get in the way of life's purpose. Amanda kept encouraging those around her.
I respected Amanda for her amazing talents with her trumpet, dedication to her schoolwork, and for going above and beyond in her desire to receive both levels of teaching certification so she could one day teach all grade levels in Canada. I constantly heard stories from Amanda of how she would one day return to take her former band director's position at her school.
Amanda was ready with a smile for everyone. Her notes were always signed: "Smiles, Amanda." Because she was from Canada, Arnanda's close friends would tease her about -- well, about saying "about," as well as other favorite words such as "dude," "eh," and "soory" (no, that is not a misprint; it's Amanda's spelling of sorry).
As I continue on in my life and remember the life of my friend Amanda, I wonder: why did it take her death to show me how precious life truly is? In my circle of friends, we now take the extra time to say "I love you" or "drive safe." I now hear of more friends thinking twice before they drink and especially before they drive, because they have seen the impact of this situation on my life. Did it have to take this tragic event to change our perspectives, to cause us to realize life is precious and that we are not promised tomorrow? I hope not.
As young adults we tend to think that we are invincible. Through these events we learn that we are not. My hope is that these events will cause us to appreciate the world and the people around us even more. I pray that we take the time to tell others how much we love and appreciate them. We never know which day will be our last. Use each day God has given you to its fullest. Amanda's life has taught me this.
On Friday, September 21, sophomore Amanda Hale went home to be with the Lord after a car accident the night before. Viewing services were held on Monday and Tuesday of this week in Dresden, Ontario. Over twenty-five students went in three Spring Arbor University vans to the Tuesday evening viewing. Members of the Hale family's church housed the students overnight so they could attend the funeral on Wednesday. "It was so touching to see them open up their homes for US" said sophomore Carianne Chrenko one of Amanda's suitemates.
The funeral was held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26. Ron Kopicko conducted the ceremony and music professor Mark Garberich gave a eulogy. Everett Piper, vice president of student development and Amanda's core group leader, also attended. The music department of SAU provided some special music through hymns.
"It was really great to see all of her friends, professors and family come together and celebrate Amanda's life" said Chrenko.
"I think [the funeral] was touching. It was so elegantly done. Everyone celebrated her life and the fact that she's with Jesus," said sophomore Rochelle Clark.
Coming back to campus late Wednesday night Amanda's suitemates had to cope with the emptiness of their suite. Chrenko sophomore Liz Feazell and Amanda's roommate sophomore Dawn Forsyth moved into one room. They moved everything into one side of the Delta 1 suite, leaving Amanda Hale's room empty.
Amanda was an amazing woman of God. I was encouraged by her every day. Her smile, her laughter, even her coffee, as she walked into a 9 am class. We had countless laughs, she was someone that lit up the room when she walked into it. Amanda's ministry was people in so many ways. She loved people, and she enjoyed watching a smile across anyone's face. Her music was such an important part of her life. The hours we spent in the music center together are infinite in number. She was always practicing, or better yet playing what she wanted. We had the best times playing the piano together and our favorite phrase was always, we are instrumental majors, not vocal majors. I have learned so much about life through her death. I don't take a single day for granted. We are not guaranteed another day in life, as much as that is hard to understand. Every breath I take is a breath given by God. Although I miss Amanda every day, I know she would want us to continue to minister to people in the way she did. These are just some things that Amanda's life has taught me.
