Grief and giving

Dealing with the emotional aftermath from the death of a child or teenager is something that cannot be understood until it faces someone personally.

Of course, those who have never had to deal with that on a personal level consider themselves fortunate and pray it never happens. When it does happen, survivors often try to find ways to express their grief by doing something for a good cause in memory of their loved one.

That's what the family and friends of Amelia Harris Fisher are doing. Fisher, a 17-year-old Woodland High School junior, was killed April 5 when an SUV driven by her best friend was struck by a furniture truck on Highway 34 in Cape Girardeau County. Fisher was known to have a soft spot for children.

Fisher's family and friends have established a fund seeking donations for a playground to be built at a rescue center run by Real Hope for Haiti, a missionary organization in Cazale, Haiti, that provides medical treatment for sick and malnourished children and families.

Life can be incredibly unfair when our young are taken too early. Having a way to express grief through a means that helps others is noble and inspiring. We've seen it happen time and time again here in Southeast Missouri.

If you are interested in donating to the playground in Amelia Harris Fisher's honor, checks may be mailed to The Limbaugh Firm, c/o John Harding, 407 N. Kingshighway, Suite 400, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, or made through the organization's website, realhopeforhaiti.org.