By Tanna Friday
Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Shawn Bowles announced on Facebook yesterday an event that will light up the night in remembrance of his daughter, Maggie, who died from injuries suffered in a car wreck last year.
Bowles and his 6-year-old daughter were traveling on Happy Hollow Road when they slowed down to turn into a driveway and were struck from behind leaving Maggie unconscious and in critical condition. Read related story: Trussville 6-year-old dies from injuries suffered in a car wreck
Maggie had been in the intensive care unit at Children’s Hospital of Alabama since the wreck. Tests given in the last two days showed no brain activity, the family shared on the Facebook group Miracle for Maggie.
Over 18,000 people joined the Facebook group to show their support of Maggie and offer prayers and encouragement to the family.
One year later, the Bowles family and community continue to honor Maggie’s memory.
“We will be honoring Maggie on this night privately,” said Bowles. “We’ve encouraged the community to come together with neighbors, friends or family, however they choose.”
After receiving an overwhelming amount of interest and support from the Trussville community, the Bowles created a “Light Up the Night – Remembering Maggie” social media event inviting those interested to participate in the lighting and release of paper lanterns honoring their daughter’s memory.
Bowles explained how their family’s love of floating lanterns became special after they watched the Disney movie “Tangled” together.
“Our first experience was seeing the lanterns projected on Cinderella’s Castle,” said Bowles. “Maggie loved it.”
He shared that while watching a fireworks show with friends last Fourth of July, they watched a family releasing lanterns.
“A family started lighting lanterns across the lake from us,” he said. “The lanterns slowly lifted off and glided across the lake gaining altitude until they floated out of sight. I told Maggie we might be able to do something like that next year.”
The one-year anniversary remembrance event encourages participants to let the lanterns float skyward at 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening, July 14. The lanterns are to be released from wherever people live in hopes that all will be visible across the city. Please note that such locations require plenty of open space to light and fly the lanterns.
“Originally we planned on a small gathering of friends and family, but began to get a lot of interest from the community and even beyond the state,” said Bowles. “We are honored that so many are invested in this event to remember our daughter Maggie.”
Several hundred paper lanterns have been purchased for this event and are now available for pickup at local businesses in Trussville. There are also envelopes available if anyone chooses to donate.
-Carroll Pharmacy, 115 N. Chalkville Road
-Nona Ruth’s/Nelms Pharmacy, 115 Watterson Pkwy
-Planet Nutrition, 7274 Gadsden Highway, Suite 108
-Signature Homes, Sale Center, 7748 Jayden Drive
“We were approached by Trussville CrossFit, who are mutual friends of the family,” said Trussville Planet Nutrition owner, Steve LeJeune. “They asked me if I would have the lanterns here to disperse among the population. We are more than happy to help and be a part of this remembrance of Maggie.”
“As we mark the one-year anniversary, we would like to thank everyone for the constant support given to our family since day one,” wrote Bowles. “Your kind words, notes and prayers are appreciated and continue to lift us up on a daily basis.”
Those participating in this event are encouraged to share any photos or videos to the Miracle for Maggie Facebook page.
“We have asked for photos and footage to be posted on the Miracle for Maggie page in an effort to be a part of the moment,” he said.
If you are located outside the Trussville area and would like to participate or purchase additional lanterns, please click on this link.