I met my husband when I was 25 years old. I got married one year later and since then I have moved into two homes, had two children, owned/adopted several pets, and worked for three different companies. I have had surgeries, bumps, bruises and tummy aches. I have been on cruises, long vacations, and short, family trips. I have watched television shows come and go, and movies make it or bust. I have learned new songs and revisited past ones. I have made memories.I have been blessed these past years and haven’t thought a thing about it.
Leah E. Oliver did not get the chance to do such things. She passed away on September 11 while working for Marsh & McLennan in the World Trade Center. Her birthday was September 12 – she would have turned 25 years old.
From what I have read of her, she was a vibrant, smart, determined young lady in the prime of her life. She had only worked for her company a couple of months and had just started dating a new guy. She loved to ride motorcycles with her father.
On one website I found a eulogy from Walter Oliver, her father. He said “Despite her determination and her young age, she stopped frequently to look around her and enjoy what God’s earth had to offer. She brightened everyone’s life with a heart full of genuine concern, an ear always willing to listen, a hand ready to help, a cute little wink and the most beautiful smile in the world. She loved life, and she loved us all.”
We will never know what type of future Leah would have had. She is frozen in time as a young, loving woman that passed away one day before her 25th birthday. I wish I could have met her; I am sure she would have been a great friend. But alas, I will one day meet her in another place. As her father said “I know that you have passed into a better world. And I pray that someday, we will tour the wonders of that world together.”
Rest in peace Leah. You will not be forgotten.
22 comments:
Nice post. Thanks for remembering.
That was lovely! Thank you!
Beautiful, Marni. You gave Leah the tribute she deserved -- classy, lovely, thoughtful, kind.
You two have many things in common. You both love your friends and family and you both have beautiful smiles and a quick laugh. Well done by you and RIP Leah.
That was a beautiful tribute. It's nice to see a face put to a name, it makes remembering that much easier. My heart goes out to Leah, and her family.
that was very nice.
i'll keep her in my heart.
Very nicely done.
It was really nice to read your kind words. I'm sure Leah would have been proud.
Wonderful words and a nice tribute to Leah.
This is a nice tribute to Leah. I hope you do get to meet her in another life (though not for many years, of course.) She will be grateful to you.
Very sweet and wonderful to read
How sad to loose so many young vibrant people. Your tribute is beautiful.
Beautiful tribute...thank you. I also had an "Oliver" to remember, in my case, Edward. The tragedy of these young lives snuffed out will never be forgotten.
Thank you....what a moving tribute.
Uh, will I ever stop crying today if I keep reading these moving tributes? Thanks for writing that and if you want to read mine for Rosemarie C. Carlton, hit my link.
You helped put it in perspective. I touching tribute. Thank you Marni.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful young woman. Thank you.
What a lovely tribute to Leah. She sounds like a wonderful person. I am sure that there was a reason that the Lord took her home at that time. Hopefully we all learn from this experience and stay vigalient in keeping our country safe from other attacks. Hopefully none of us forget that fateful day.
Such a nice tribute. Thank you for researching and sharing. Leah Oliver sounds like someone who would be a joy to be around - such a great smile. Thank you for putting a face and a story with another one of those staggering numbers.
What a wonderful tribute...and thanks for visiting my tribute as well.
As Leah's Dad, I very much appreciate your reflection on Leah's life and the sensitive way you've woven our thoughts into something relevant to you and your life.
I think of Leah every day, and I live for those nights when she seems to speak to me in my dreams.
Warmest regards,
Walter Oliver
Thank you for this tribute. I have been dating Leah's younger brother Teddy for the past year, and know their family and Leah's father very well. Teddy and I sometimes go to Eagle Rock, a 9/11 memorial site overlooking manhattan, sitting in solemn silence. Although I did not get the chance to meet Leah, I know how loved she was by her family, and I appreciate your acknowledgement of Leah.
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