Zachary Strong

by Karen Coultas
(St.John's , NL, Canada)

Hi , my name is Karen Coultas. On October 21st 2000 I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby boy, and we named him Zachary Michael Strong.

Zachary was born in Grande Prairie, AB and in the summer of 2002 we moved back to our home province of Newfoundland.

In June of 2004, Zachary was thrilled to become a big brother to Joshua. Oh how he doted on his baby brother...and was always looking to help in some way, from getting a pamper and the wipes, to helping out at bathtime. Of course, as Joshua grew, they had their arguments, as all siblings do.But their love for each other made my heart swell.

In the winter of 2005, we moved into our brand new home. Zachary was sad to leave our other home, but the house we built was in a new subdivision , across the street from a school. We were sure there would be many young families there, and other children for the boys to make friends with. And there were.

In September of 2005, Zachary started Kindergarten at Roncalli Elementary. He loved school, everything about it. The new friends he was making, the teachers, getting books at the library, and using the computer.

Zachary also loved camping, and many weekends found us taking camping trips , most often to Bellevue Beach, just over an hour outside the city. He loved roasting marshmallows, gathering twigs for the fire, but most of all going to the beach and playing.

In the summer of 2007, I married Joshua's dad. What an exciting time for all of us. Zachary was our ring boy, he wore a tuxedo with tails. He was so proud to do it, he was just beaming.

Our lives seemed to be just perfect. We had each other.

In September of 2007, Zachary was in grade 2. He loved his new teacher, we all did. Joshua was now 3, and Zachary was already looking forward to Joshua starting school, even though it was still 2 years away.

Then after only 9 days in grade 2, on a beautiful sunny monday....September 17/2007...Zachary was taken from us.

He was riding his bicycle to the park just down the street from our home, and crossed the street without looking. He rode his bike into the path of a dump truck. They told me that he was killed instantly.

Our lives had changed in the blink of an eye. Our once happy home, became a place of intense sadness. Joshua was left trying to understand where his big brother was, and why he hadn't come home. His desk at school, where such a happy little boy had sat, and was known for making silly faces, telling knock knock jokes, and making others laugh and smile, now sat empty.

His bed, with his beloved webkinz toys, was now empty. Our lives became empty...It is almost 2 and 1/2 years now , and most days tears still come very easy for all of us.

We sold our house, moved to a different neighbourhood. The park where Zachary was going that day, was named in his memory "Zachary's Place". There is a crosswalk now where my childs life ended, and signs, alerting drivers that there is a playground ahead. Perhaps this may save another family from our heartache and pain.

In Zachary's almost 7 years, he left a lasting impression on all who knew him, even if they had only met him once or twice. He was a very sincere little boy, always with a kind word to say. He beamed with pride when praised, and was so very full of love. He is our angel in heaven...and one day we will be together again.

I Love you Zachary....forever.