WAYNESFIELD — Small communities enjoy a special closeness that is hard for larger communities to experience.
In times of tragedy, many realize how healing that closeness can be.
Nearly 300 people gathered on the football field of Waynesfield-Goshen High School Friday for a prayer vigil over two local children who died in a fire.
Trinity Lhamon, 10, and Keelin Doty, 7, died in a house fire Wednesday morning. Firefighters desperately tried to get inside a house fully engulfed in flames but were unable to rescue two children. The fire was reported at 6:43 a.m. by a passerby calling 911. The house is located just north of the village of Waynesfield at 18339 state Route 196.
The tragedy has left parents Shawn M. and Amanda Doty and other friends struggling.
The Rev. Ryan Price told the crowd that today was the first day of healing for the community.
“Tonight, as we celebrate their lives, we take the first steps to healing,” Price said. “We need to remember they are not lost. When you lose something, you don’t know where it is. We know that we have hope through Christ that we will see them again.”
Terry Muir spoke on behalf of the family and said they were grateful for the outreach they have experienced from the community. Food, money and clothing have been donated as the family copes with the tragedy.
“It is devastating to the family,” Muir said, “but knowing the support that has been there is very comforting. They want to convey that they appreciate everything.”
The crowd assembled in a circle on the field, Price explaining a circle symbolized no beginning and no end. Several relatives and community members then approached the center of the circle and said their memories of the two girls. One mother had a little girl the same age and said she will remember their smiles. She spoke of a sleepover when they futilely tried to make a gingerbread house.
“Thank you for being the most amazing friend to my little girl,” Shannon Youtsy said.
As the community tries to find comfort, Price said it is important for everyone to help each other.
“We don’t know how long the healing process will be, especially for Shawn and Amanda,” Price said. “Through us, we can help that process.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
