Grayson Remembers

Over the years, I’ve written several articles about “Grayson Remembers.” As a community, we remember our veterans, we remember 911, we remember the history of our community. And now, we remember the young lives of two of our own after their tragic deaths in a horrible wreck . Students were encouraged to express grief and happy times shared with Hope and Austin during a candlelight vigil at in the entrance of the Technology School. It was a large group who gathered to experience an evening among friends who shared a memory and love.

It was immeasurably sad; that’s for sure. We try to make sense of sudden losses; try to process a life without them. But in sharing grief – in such an encouraging, loving and open way -  students, friends and family members also shared that part of their lives they shared with Hope and Austin. Sometimes heart wrenching, sometimes humorous, it would seem that indeed, we have lost two vital members of our community.

In the loss of Hope McKenzie, Grayson lost a killer smile, a warm and open heart, and a positive Christian outlook that had already changed the lives of those who knew her. A free and beautiful spirit, friends spoke of how she lived her life fully with a welcoming smile that always reached her eyes.

Friends shared Austin with everyone there; remembering him as a young man with a wicked sense of humor and a “thumbs up” good-job attitude – though sometimes delivered with a hint of sarcasm and a smirk. He was a stalwart and true friend who shared those long and “lame” bus rides to GHS with several who spoke and always had a willing hug for those he loved. As one gentleman said, “Austin’s final words to many of us were ‘I love you.’” 

While not all teenagers find comfort among their peers when dealing with death, we can hope that in the words of those who spoke during the vigil that the next step of dealing with the grief and reconstruction of lives without those relationships will begin. Psychologists advise that grief is a complex thing and varies from person to person. The open sharing of memories brought these two souls back to life in a bittersweet and beautiful way; and now those who love them understand they are not alone.

At the Loganville/Grayson Patch, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Hope and Austin. We send special prayers to McKennan Lockridge as he continues to heal and move forward in his recovery.

Editorial Note: Matthew Gilbert, a counselor at Grayson High, has informed us that Gwinnett County and the school will continue to offer counseling to students as they need. The staff has been asked to be very courteous to those needs as they arise. They continue to encourage students to seek out assistance based on their personal needs. "All the staff at GHS, from the administrators, teachers, counselors, clerical and custodians, have been very open to any of our students needs."