LBJH Remembers

LBJH Remembers Matthew Churchill…..by Rebecca Puddester, Leary’s Brook School Paper

I didn't know Matthew, but when I saw the fond, wonderful memories people had of him and the sadness they felt, I couldn't help but share a bit of that grief. All these things I learned about a person I never even knew, touched my heart and made me realize what a wonderful person he was.

I first found out that Matthew had passed away when a friend informed me of the tragedy on MSN; everyone was putting star emoticons in their username in his memory. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't put a face to it. Later that evening, I was watching the NTV evening news, the top story was of the tragedy on the Bauline Line, a teenager who attended Leary's Brook Junior high had been in a fatal hit and run accident. I couldn't believe it. You never think such a tragedy can happen to someone whom we all passed by in the halls everyday. It wasn't until I got back to school after Easter break that Matthew's true colours became Bold and Evident for all to see. I stopped at the display case to find a picture of a pleasant looking guy, a hockey jersey, hackey sack, guitar and skateboard. His personality was brought to life in that display case. People would stop by that display and cry for his loss. Some would smile for the happy memories he left them with.

The next day at school, I was given a purple and pink ribbon to wear in memory of Matt. Purple and pink were his favourite colours. The thing that reached out to me the most throughout this devastating loss was the memorial service we had at school one Friday afternoon. I expected it to be sad, but I didn't think I was going to get as emotional as I did. The songs played made me reflect on life in general and how Matthew had obviously lived his life to the fullest because he had left the entire school community with funny, happy memories. The poems and stories read made me realize what kind of a special once-in-a-lifetime friend he was to them. When I saw the mural in his memory that will forever stay in Leary's Brook Junior High, the tears started running down my cheek. There are no words to describe that mural. It blew me away. I felt so overwhelmed with sadness that I can only imagine how his friends and family felt.

I read Saturday's newspaper. The article his mother and father wrote made me think about what they were going through. It was one of the most powerful things ever written. Perhaps I am not the one to write about Matthew Churchill because I didn't know him. But, I do know that Matthew taught us all a philosophy of living. Live life to the fullest, take time to care and let your true colours shine through.

Matthew Churchill
(July 14th 1989- March 28th 2005)