[ad_1]
DENVER – Courageous, funny and eclectic, Kathy describes her twin daughters, Amanda and Sara Eldritch. They loved art and music and they dreamed of a life where they could enjoy their passions without the burden of their disease.
The twins were diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adolescence. They suffered from extreme anxiety and obsessive behaviors, including 10-hour showers and cleaning and cleaning their home for several hours each day. In addition, they suffered from deep depression.
They wanted a better life. They tried other treatments and therapies. They even accepted deep brain stimulation surgery, becoming the first Colorado patients to have surgery for OCD. This relieved anxiety and obsessive behaviors.
Their mother said that despite a few years of good days, the depression never left them. Last spring, Amanda and Sara ended their lives together.
Their mother Kathy remembered her daughters during their memorial service with the funeral praise posted below. She expressed hope that their life and legacy will be used to educate others about OCD and mental illness.
Here is the complete eulogy:
Thank you for being here this afternoon to pay tribute to the incredible and courageous lives of Amanda and Sara Eldritch. Their beautiful earthly life ended tragically on the morning of March 30th.
Today, we wonder how the sun rises every morning or even why. One wonders when the gray cast iron will rise from the sky and it will turn blue again. We wonder how the first spring flowers can cross the cold hardness of winter. One wonders why the stars have the audacity to twinkle every night. One wonders when the night will not be the torn belly lonely and terrifying. We wonder why these two incredible young women will never be able to dance with their crazy laughs, clumsy hats and Misfits songs on their phones. We are simply wondering why. There are no answers just anxiety and unfathomable grief.
I believe that there is a purpose, I must believe that there is a purpose to their death; one who can not be recognized or deciphered. God's plan for Sarah and Amanda is much greater than our limited human understanding. But for today, we cry, we cry, we question.
There is a book written many years ago by Robert Fulghum and entitled "All I really need to know, that's what I learned in kindergarten". For me, all I really need to know
1. Candles – – – They are intended to be burned. Do not save them, use them, turn them on. The candles bring warmth and brighten the dark corners, so turn them all on! They are inexpensive, you can buy more. There is always a lighted candle at my house now.
2. Herpes – – – handicrafts. Once you have it on your shoes, clothes, furniture, hands, it never goes away. . . never.
3. Music – – – play hard, be it Misfits, Wagner or Johnny Cash. Have an appreciation and openness to all types of music; c & # 39; balm to the soul and move your feet. Choose music on the television and you do not have to deal with amazing commercials.
4. Dance – – – See the music. Dance at the music, and dance like everyone looks because really, who cares, and you never know, they might want to learn the dance moves!
5. Animals – – – Not everyone should have a pet; especially a dog. Just because you can throw food in a bowl or open the back door to let them out, you do not necessarily deserve a dog. They need training, exercise, stimulation, attention and tons of love. Make sure you can offer them that, and if you have one, save one. There are so many homeless animals that need a forever home.
6. Cars – – – Cars are a metallic canvas for stickers, magnets, spray paint, studs, spikes, markers and shirt. to paint. The fact that a car is for transportation is really secondary.
7. Washers and Dryers – – – They must be designed to withstand chains, nails, spikes, spray paint, safety pins, glue, tape, hair dye, nail polish, screw or Screwdriver. These devices should also be able to withstand at least five loads of laundry with the above content each day.
8. Hair – – – Let your hair be a palette and an expression of your individuality. Feel free to do something adventurous or off the beaten track. The advantage of the hair is that is growingso if you do not like color, style or length, do not worry; it is not permanent and will repel. Eyebrowson the other hand, take a little more time to recover. . .
9. Tattoos and piercings – – – Your skin too be a palette and a canvas of your personality and your individuality. But, choose wisely, as tattoos and piercings are mostly permanent, unlike red or black hair. Never be afraid to express yourself regardless of what someone thinks is "normal" or acceptable. It's your body after all.
10. The sun – – – The sun is essential to life but protect yourself from its rays. Wear hats, sunglasses and Solar cream.
11. Cosplay / disguise – is not just for Halloween or little kids. Sara and Amanda were never happier than when they were pirates, Super Girl or a cat woman, the Cabaret master of ceremonies and Sally Bowles, the Dee twins, the trash pandas, the vampire girl / zombie girl or in full demon dress at a Misfits concert. And if you ever had to see some bright green with a 12 "blond Mohawk, they probably will not eat your kids.
12. Halloween – – – The favorite party of Amanda and Sara. See cos-play. Why dress and be in costume should be booked for only one day per year? They started celebrating Halloween around September 15th when Spirit Halloween stores started showing up. Wigs, makeup, fangs, fake blood. . . all were regular accoutrements in our house.
13. Intelligence – – – do not lower it, especially women. We live in a society where women are still degraded and belittled fortheirintelligence, or says that they are arrogant and aggressive. Many may not know that Amanda and Sara had an IQ of genius; they said that "smart was the new sexy".
14. Regrets – – – do not have any. Make sure your loved ones know how much they are loved, cherished, adored and loved. We never know when we may never have the chance to tell them again.
15. Guilt – – See the regrets; do not have one. Guilt is a huge waste of energy, emotion and time.
16. Take some risks – – – See the regrets. It's a wonderful world, with great adventures, mysteries to discover and opportunities for experience. Take the challenge, expand your limits. Do not be defined by the constraints of the company or by the opinion of someone else. It's your time to have fun!
17. Respect – – – Treat everyone with respect, you do not know their story, you do not know their background. And treat the animals with respect because they have no voice.
18. Love – – – Love with all your heart, with all your power, with all your soul and with all your strength, even if it is only once in your life. And when you say "I love you," say it! Never, ever, a flatness, a banal phrase or a conversation. Do it with all the fibers of your being.
I could talk for hours about my daughters. It was never a secret that they were the two most important, valued, Darling and loved the people in my life. I adored them, fought for them, sacrificed them for them, laughed with them, danced with them and cried with them. Their joy was my joy, their pain was my pain. I will miss them every second of every day for the rest of my life.
Now, we say goodbye to these remarkable, courageous, eclectic, passionate, imaginative, creative, strong, bright, empathic, caring and loving young women whose lives were far too short. However, their heritage, their story does not end and will not end here. Amanda and Sara were Trail Blazers and their innovative operations, progress and work on mental health awareness and healing will continue. Unfortunately, there is no cure for mental illness, but the functionality and release of the grip of this insidious disease East possible and feasible. My prayer is that no parent is confronted with the unbearable and devastating pain of a child's death due to the ravages of mental illness. Anyone who knows me well knows that I will be committed, tenacious and relentless in this battle.
The last text of Sara and Amanda said to me, "We have that, Mom." And now, ladies, I have this. Your fight is over. to fly and be free. Always in my heart . . .
© 2018 KUSA-TV
[ad_2]
Source link
