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JANUARY 24th
Author: Haley24 Jan
January 24th is a date that catches my ear whenever I hear it. I remember as a high school teacher, reading a college essay that begin, “Everything changed on January 24th…” She was talking about the day her parents told her their family was moving from Chicago to Phoenix, but of course I read the essay with an emotional and heavy heart.
As I mentioned before, today is the 17th anniversary of the Notre Dame women’s swim team bus accident. 17 years ago, the Notre Dame family lost two wonderful young women: Meghan Beeler and Colleen Hipp. 17 years ago, I gained two guardian angels who still guide me.
I also wrote yesterday that I never know what today - the anniversary - will bring. This year was no different. I had planned a day with my family. I hoped the flowers would arrive as they always do on the 24th (and they are always emotionally appreciated). I knew I would wake up to an e-mail from my mom - who would stay up until 11:38 p.m. Arizona time - the exact time her life changed when she was woken up by the phone call from my teammate, Cyndi, 17 years ago. But this morning brought something different as well; a surprise delivered through the blessing of the internet.
I received an e-mail from a friend of Colleen Hipp’s. She had lived in the same dorm as Colleen at Notre Dame, and she had had dinner with Colleen’s sister 17 years ago last night, as they waited for Colleen to return from our swim meet at Northwestern in Chicago. Reading my book, she said, ended years of bitterness and anger. She had written in remembrance to thank me for allowing her to let go, for helping her to heal.
I am always touched by the e-mails I receive from readers. This one, certainly and especially, touched me personally and with an emotion I can not describe. As I read her recollections and about what she experienced that night 17 years ago, I was reminded how far-reaching the swim team bus accident was. How far-reaching all tragedies are. They do not just affect those involved; they affect everyone who knows someone - who knows someone - who was involved. And when we can turn that ripple effect to healing and strength, we can all heal. Even 17 years later.
Thank you, everyone, for the love and prayers you sent our way today. We all felt it!
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3 Responses for "JANUARY 24th"
Dear Haley,
Colleen and I grew up swimming together on Sugar Creek. She was a dear friend and very much like an older sister to me. I was the youngest swimmer in the senior training group and would have always felt out of place if it had not been for her encouragement and kindness. Every Saturday morning we would stop at the grocery store for fresh bagels between weights and swimming. We had a blast singing along to the radio and hoping that the upcoming practice wouldn’t be too hard. They always were. Those are memories that I have cherished since January 24. Every year on this day I swim a 400 IM even if I have not been in the water all year. I know it was not her best event, but I have such a wonderful memory of a 400 IM Region VIII final that found us side by side finishing 1,2 with best times. Thank you for your story. Those of us who have been missing Colleen have been cheering for you all along.
Amy
Hi Amy,
Thank you for your post. It has been so wonderful to hear from friends of both Colleen and Meghan - those of you whose lives were changed forever, yet whom I never had a chance to meet. I am blessed now to connect with you and to hear stories about Colleen that I never had the chance to hear. That is so much of what we mourn: the stories we’d never share and the fun and special times we’ll never have.
Thank you for writing - and thank you for your support and appreciation of helping me to share the inspiration that is so apparent in our lives, in the lives of those who were blessed to know Colleen and Meghan.
What a wonderful way to honor Colleen each year: to swim a 400IM. I too will do that on January 24th from now on (not the 400IM- good for you!) but the 100 fly for Colleen and the 50 free for Meghan - the two events I honored them with at my first meet back. Thank you for sharing that with me.
Haley
Oh, Haley. I am celebrating this awful day with you now 17 years later, as I prayed for you as a sophomore at BC. Your book is a beautiful tribute to Colleen and Meghan, and the horror of that night. I know that they are comforting you, guiding you, and standing firm with you as a warrior for Christ. I am happy to be in the same company as each of you. Thank you for sharing the journey with me!!! Love, Your New “Old” Friend, Jennie xoxo P.S. Would love to swim with you next year. Maybe we could do the 1230 mass at USNA afterwards.
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