Supporters add their own candles to those provided by the family of Quinn Butt at a vigil for the girl Thursday evening in Harbour Grace.
Their grips got a little tighter and their children snuggled in that extra bit. Parents and children needed each other on this evening, if for no other reason to remind themselves of the precious bond that exists between them.
About 3,000 people from around the region gathered on the soccer field for a celebration of the life of Quinn Lorna Kay Butt, and were reminded of that bond.
They were reminded that every day is a gift.
They were there to pay tribute to a little girl they might not have known, but they felt the need to show their support.
Representatives from all ages stood in silence; people such as 18-year-old Matieo Forward and 66-year-old David Moores. Each pledged their support, their presence lending strength to the grieving family.
Quinn, a five-year-old Carbonear girl who could light up a room with a simple smile, was taken from the world much too soon.
Earlier in the week, firefighters pulled her body from a burning home on Hayden Heights in Carbonear.
The news of Quinn’s death rocked the province and almost immediately people started banding together. They fastened pink and purple balloons to their houses and pledged their support for the family through social media.
They offered their strength in hopes of helping a grieving mother through the toughest ordeal.
Friends of the family said they didn’t want the evening to be about tragedy — they needed it to be about life and celebration.
People wept as poetry was read and Quinn’s favourite song echoed through the nearby neighbourhoods.
The young girl’s death touched people from around the world, with pictures sent from countries such as Germany, Italy and the United States.
A pink balloon floated above Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Quinn and her mother were supposed to be there.
Closer to home in Carbonear, businesses hung signs in their windows, pledging their love to the young girl.
Many of those sentiments were expressed on the field in Harbour Grace. Young children carried balloons and signs for Quinn.
Others wore T-shirts that said, “We will never forget Quinn.”
Before a trio of Chinese lanterns floated skyward, a fresh snowfall started. As the light snowflakes fell, it felt like Quinn was saying thank you.
The Compass
