Allison

I was forever changed on July 18th 2003, and it's hard to believe that it was ten years ago. My first day at Point Loma Nazarene University I met Allison Carley Dahm. A girl from Michigan and someone who I quickly learned loved God, loved life, knew how to have fun, and became one of my dearest friends.

 Looking back on my almost 30 years of life Allison’s friendship is one of the most treasured blessings I have been given. We enjoyed our freshmen and sophomore year as roommates  and relied on each other to get through those early years of being broke college kids.

Allison is always on my heart, but there has been an increase in my thoughts about her on this day. On 7/18/2003, Allison was on her way to pick our mutual friend Barbara from the airport in her hometown of Holland, MI. I was scheduled to fly out two days later on July 20^th for the three of us to spend a week discovering the sights around Michigan. However, instead of the memories of three college kids spending a week of summer together Barbara and I share the memory of attending Allison’s funeral after the car accident that occurred while Allison was on her way to pick Barbara up from the airport.  The aftermath was devastation and true realization that peace on this Earth can be shaken no matter how good life seems to be going.

Initially that devastation fueled my anger towards God, and justified acting out and living life for what pleased me moment by moment. Anger eventually turned into submission after realizing how fragile this life is and learning that God is there to personally and individually reach out to us even in the midst of some of our darkest times.

I have come to believe whole-heartedly that Allison left this world for Heaven, a place where I am confident she will greet me when my time on this Earth is over. A place where peace cannot be shaken, and  there will be no more goodbyes, no more tears, and no more pain or suffering. Heaven, a place where we can all reunite with the one's we love, and others who believed and followed Jesus during the short amount of time we are allotted to make a difference on this Earth. Allison made a difference in my life. On the ten year anniversary of her death I remember many wonderful things about her; I remember her smile, her sense of humor, her positive attitude, her love for her family and friends, her desire to use her talents for good and the betterment of others, but most importantly I remember the love she displayed for God and those around here no matter what day of the week it was! 

I will always dearly love my friend Allison and treasure the memories we made together, and  I cannot wait until the day when we can rejoice in  reward of Heaven together!