I miss you and love you very much, and here is a poem I wrote for you.
Smokey Barn News
Friday, June 13, 2014
Greenbrier, Robertson County, Tenn.
One Year After Fatal Crash, A Letter To “Momma”
It’s been one year since Candice Goodwin, mother of three from Greenbrier died in a tragic auto accident, she was just 30 years old. Candice’s oldest daughter Brooklynn is old enough to remember that day and she still thinks of her mother every day. Brooklynn contacted Smokey and asked if we would publish the following letter she wrote to her mother.
Brooklynn, now 11 and just 10 at the time of the accident, was very brave that day. Brooklynn helped save her brother and sister by removing them from the overturned vehicle and carrying the 21 month old up to the road to get help.
Below Brooklynn’s letter is Smokey’s interview with Brooklynn’s father James Goodwin just days after the accident. In the interview James gives a heart wrenching account of what happened including how brave Brooklynn was that terrible day one year ago this week.
A Letter To Momma By Brooklynn Victoria
Dear Momma,
I miss you and love you very much, and here is a poem I wrote for you at school! You left your footsteps in the sand and let go of many empty hands, and yes I know you can’t return, but all the love that you and I earn helps me grieve that you had to leave.
I hope that you will remember me. I miss you and cry over you and think about you and many friends and family do too. MacKenzie talks about you and says my mommy’s in heaven and points to the sky, but what makes me very happy is that I know your with family like Madison your daughter and nanny Chris and uncle Bobby. All of us miss and love you, you are my angel I love that you are watching me from the heavens above…..
Love your daughter,
Brooklynn Victoria
Brooklynn’s father, James Goodwin, took some time out a few days after the accident last year to talk with Smokey about the day that changed his life forever.
We bring you ALL the News in Robertson County, Tennessee.
thank you everyone!
Brooklyn I am so proud of you writing this to your mom and being brave enough to share it with the world. I never got to meet Candice but I can tell from what everybody said and wrote that I would have liked her and that she was a really loving wife and mother with a huge heart. I can see that she raised some smart, beautiful and caring children. I know you will be an awesome big sister to your new brother Elijah. Much love to you, McKenzie, Braden, Elijah, Lucy and James!
This has me in tears this morning. That Poem has given me so much strength. I know that her father is very proud of her. I went to school with her mother and can say that this lil girl has a heart just like her. Ms. Victoria will be alright continuing this journey without her mother. Man, what an inspiring lil princess.God bless her family
Brooklynn, you’re a good friend of mine, and when I do my prayers at night, I pray for you and the family member who have past in my family. Just know I’m here for you!
Brooklyn – GREAT POEM! Very proud of you little lady! Stay strong and be a good girl and role model for your brother and sister!