Matt / Jeremy Viers (Coworker)
I think about your loss often. Having a daughter myself I can hardly approach such a pain. I'm sorry for not telling you how often you're in my thoughts.  I pray that you can find peace one day at a time. Close

You are missed EVERYDAY  / Lori Houlton (Aunt and Bestfriend )

Tara,

Not a day goes bye that your whole family does not miss you!! Your Mom, Grandma and Grandpa Patterson, Aunts and Uncles (Todd, Jennifer, Scott, and myself Lori), cousins, (Austin, Alex, Alicia, Jordan, Crystal, Lauren, and Travis), and your brother even though he was only 13 months old when you passed (Connor). 

We still have countless tears, and laughter as memories of you pass.  You still have such an impact on our everyday life here on earth. 

Your scholarship here at the High school where you graduated and lived your life has helped 2 girls so far suceed in their future, and will continue every year to help send and Angola High School student studying Psycology, which is what you majored in at Ball State and IPFW Ft. Wayne. 

It is amazing how you at such a young age of 20 years old when you passed away made such an impact on everyone you came into contact with!  Your friends have made a memorial to you where you had your accident.  Your friends and family have continued to visit that site and you have SO many flowers and trinkets there it is amazing.  I make several trips out there throught the year to weed eat and place new flowers around it.   Also your headstone is SO beautiful!  Its obvious that you have touched SO MANY lives in your short life.

I just want to send you a big THANK YOU to you TARA LYNNE ARNOLD, for being part of my life and WE are truely the lucky ones who got to know you and spend our lives with you while you were here on earth.

Love FOREVER,

Aunt Lori 

 

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Sending you all love...  / Denise-mom Of Angel Nate Pannell

 

Tara, we never met, but I feel as though I know you from all your parents have told us at the Healing Hearts meetings. Please keep an eye on Nate for me. Maybe he can be your adopted little brother!
Send your family lots of love- I know they miss you very much.

XOXO

Denise

http://natepannell.memory-of.com/About.aspx

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Miss you  / Dirk Arnold (Uncle)
Although we lived far apart, you in Ohio and us in New Mexico, we never felt distant.  Kathi and I loved your e-mails and talking with you on the phone.  Between our visits and all the updates on your life from Matt and Mom we always felt close to you.

I especially loved all the stories your Dad and I made up for you, high-altitude tape, when does fog become a cloud, and so on.  And to be fair, we came up with our own pranks to someday play on your Dad, and I promise I'll get him on my own.

I learned a great lesson from you Tara.  At your service I watched a series of pictures that represented the highlights of your life, and I was very surprised to see a picture of you and I taken  on a day that we went fishing during your visit to our house in New Mexico.  To be honest, I hadn't thought of that specific day in a long time.  I had to remind myself that something I can do every day could really be a lifetime memory for another person.  I now try to appreciate all the opportunities I'm afforded as if they are once-in-a lifetime experiences, no matter how often I enjoy them.

There's not a day that goes by without me thinking of you.  Just like before you physically died.  You still live in my heart, and the hearts of many others.

Love you, Uncle Dirk



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THINKING OF YOU  / Sindy Daughter Of Angel Alpha Gregory (Connected by Angels )
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Sending love & prayers to your aching heart  / Jane Eisele (passerby)

Wishing this was just a nightmare for all of us, that we would awaken and sigh, and give thanks that it was only a very bad dream.

But it's real, and our hearts find it so difficult to grasp the meaning of it and to understand the reasons for it.  Understanding, like acceptance, has escaped me......... I have not yet begun to accept and will never understand.

I lost my son on October 20, 2006, just nine days before you lost Tara. I know that time doesn't heal all wounds.............some will never heal.

Losing a child leaves an open wound, one that time can't touch. Our only hope is to find a way to live with the new person that finally emerges from our sorrow.........to find a way to become that person and live until God calls us to come join our child.

Sending prayers for mercy for your sorrow. May God's blessing find your heart and bring you comfort.

God Bless you always,

jane

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My Deepest Condolences  / Jen Flynn (passer-by)
Dear Tara,

     All my love to you and your family upon receiving your wings.  This page makes me tear because of how close in age we are and you should be here continuing to enjoy your 20s.  However, you seemed like such a warm, beautiful person who got a lot out of life in such a short period of time.  I can only imagine how much you are missed based on your wonderful qualities - please watch over all who love you and bring them lots of comfort.

Love,
Jen Flynn

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We Remember Them  / Karen Angel Mom To (Kassie Hall's mom )


In the rising of the sun and its going down,
We remember them

In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We remember them

In the opening of the buds and in the rebrith of spring,
We remember them

In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
We remember them

In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn,

We remember them

In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember when

When we are weary and in need of strength,
We remember them

When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them

When we have joy we yearn to share,
We remember them

So long as we live, they too shall live,
For they are now a part of us,
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Miss you like CRAZY  / Ashley Burdett (College Roomates/Good Friends )

I met Tara our freshman year at Ball State. We lived across the hall from each other in the dorms. I was three-hours from home, scared to death, but Tara proved to be an instant friend. I lived in the dorms alone ( my roomate had dropped out) and Tara had roomate problems, so often times, she would come stay the night with me to just kind of get away. That year was filled with many memories, from driving around in her convertable with the top down in October to playing Euchre with Ben and Trisha to playing playstation with the 3rd floor boys. We always used to go to our friend Jamie's on Wednesday nights and he would cook us dinner. Well, one night, Tara decided she was going to make us her "famous Risotto." In her defence, she tried her damndest to put on a good spread, but the risotto turned out too crunchy to eat. We used to always tease her about that. We would spend countless nights watching stand up comedy or talking ourselves to sleep.

What I remember most about Tara is her ability to maintain a sense of innocence, almost niavete, yet she was one of the toughest girls I knew. She was always so independent. "She could do it herself!" Yet, tough as she was, Tara didnt have a mean bone in her body. She would always give someone the benefit of the doubt and believed that everyone should have a 2nd chance. She would give the clothes off her back if she could. One year, we went shopping in the food court in the dorms to spend the rest of her money on her meal account and took it to the Salvation Army...She taught me to be more selfless. We learned a lot from each other that year.

When Tara left Ball State, I was a wreck. My roomate and best friend were leaving and I just didnt get why. We had an argument about it that I regret to this day.

When I found out about Tara's passing, I was floored. None of us could believe it was true. We called her cell phone, only to have it answered by her grandparents. We knew then that it was real. She was so young and had so much to offer the world still...it just didnt seem fair. We had so much left to say to her...like how she touched each and every one of us. Like how I am now an avid Colts fan, strictly because of her (she's be so proud that she converted me). We think about you all of the time Tara and miss you so so much. Look out for us up there....Lord knows we need the protection. Love you and miss you so much.

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For All Parents  / Lorraine Mom To Angel Kelli

There are so many feelings a parent experiences that there is no way  to sort them all out, but anger at God because he took something that was so precious to you is definitely part of it.

For All Parents

I'll lend you for a little time, a child of mine, He said.  For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead.

It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three. But will you till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief, You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I can not promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But, there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

Ive looked the wide, world over in my search for teachers true, And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say, Dear Lord, Thy will be done. For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may: And for the happiness we've known, will ever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand.

 

 

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