CONCEPTION BAY SOUTH, N.L. — Lindsay Anthony could easily find words to describe her son, Carter — bright, happy, active, helpful and lovable.
“He was incredibly affectionate,” she told The Telegram Tuesday. “When he was in daycare, he wouldn’t leave the building until he had given everyone in sight a hug.”
But when it comes to describing how it feels to have lost him, there are no words.
“This entire ordeal has been a complete nightmare,” said Anthony, adding that she has been crying since the day Carter died. “Words could never come close to describing how shattered my heart is over the loss.”
Five-year-old Carter died in a fire at his grandparents’ house on Emerald Creek Drive, off the Foxtrap Access Road, on Jan. 16. The blaze also claimed the lives of his grandparents, Jim Kane and Pauline Anthony-Kane.
Police and firefighters are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Immediately following the tragedy, members of the community offered support and condolences to Anthony, her nine-year-old son, Jude, and their family.
“It’s been so overwhelming,” Anthony said. “I could never thank everyone enough for all the kind words and gestures.
“This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, and knowing we have so many people there to hold us up, I could never repay what they’ve done.”
One of the initiatives that has begun has been the Carter Anthony Fire Hydrant Recovery Operation, an initiative started by Kathryn Nichol, a woman Anthony has never met.
On Jan. 23, Nichol wrote on her Facebook page, “Challenge! Today we dug out two fire hydrants in our neighborhood. I’d like to dedicate that effort in memory of Carter Anthony and his grandparents who lost their lives in a fire on Jan. 16. I challenge you to find one hydrant near you and make it accessible in their memory. It could save someone’s life!”
The Facebook group created then encouraged people to place a blue ribbon on the hydrant after digging it out to honour Carter and to bring attention to the importance of snowclearing.
Nichol later wrote, “Sometimes you never have to meet a person to feel a love for them and I know that Carter is loved by this group. The Anthony family is loved by this group and I know that if we could all join hands and embrace and hug you Lindsay Anthony we would.”
Anthony was touched by the effort.
“I’m blown away by the response to the blue-ribbon campaign that Kathryn has started,” she said.
“It’s so important. We all need to chip in to make sure everyone in the neighbourhood has a fighting chance in the unfortunate event of a fire.
“Seeing the blue ribbons is bittersweet. My heart both smiles and cries every time I see one tied to a hydrant pole.”
She said she will always remember Carter doing the things he loved to do, like riding his bike, playing video games, playing in the snow, colouring and dancing with her and Jude.
“He was always wanting to help people in whatever way he could,” Anthony said of Carter. “Even if it was something as small as picking up something that someone had dropped or holding the door for the person behind him.
“He was loving and always had a smile on his face. And, of course, he loved a good fart or poop joke.”
Anthony said she’s not sure how she will go on without her little boy, but added that she’s strong. She is also glad to have so much support from the community.
“I know I will get through it," she said.
“I tell people, hold your babies tight. You never know when it’ll be the last time.”
Twitter: @TelyRosie
