In your mind’s eye, you see her lighting up a room with that smile, her shoulder length blonde hair falling over a red sweater.
There aren’t words to describe what happened in Carbonear on April 24. A young girl taken from the world and a mother left to mourn.
In the days since tragedy struck, the hashtag #lightitupQuinn has been making the rounds. Thousands of people are using it to connect with others feeling dismayed and disheartened by a heart wrenching story that has gripped this province.
They’re mourning too.
It’s an event that has affected the entire province. Schools, businesses and people from across Newfoundland and Labrador are letting their support show in the form of pink and purple displays.
There are countless signs and posters remembering a young girl they didn’t know. It’s hard not to know who Quinn is now and that’s what makes it powerful.
Students in St. Lewis on the coast of Labrador are wearing pink. Dental workers in Cowan Heights are doing the same.
They’re holding signs and letting people know who Quinn was. They’re worlds away from each other, but they’re sharing the same pain.
On a day when a candlelight vigil and celebration of her life is planned, they’re sharing something else too.
Through their efforts, a world is being created where Quinn is forever smiling. In this world, the girl with the megawatt grin only knows the feeling of joy stretched across her face.
The vigil is scheduled for St. Francis soccer field in Harbour Grace at 8 p.m. Thursday evening.
In anticipation of a large crowd, a local bus company is offering a shuttle service to the event from Paddy’s Garden in Carbonear.
