By Robert Morgan | Published Sunday, January 25, 2009
I have had the unfortunate task of covering many tragic accidents of several local students in my six years at the Messenger, but none have affected me as much as Wednesday's death of Decatur sophomore Chelsea Lunt.
She was an amazing athlete and a great kid that I was blessed to have followed during her short high school varsity career. I consider it a privilege to have watched her play volleyball and run track, two sports in which she was awesome. But away from the field of play, people smiled, laughed and just plain loved being around her.
I did not have to be in the conversation to know that her love for life rubbed off on every path she crossed. On Jan. 21, 2009, our community of 5,500 people lost one of the great ones that we have come to know. Volleyball will not be the same without her. Today, as she looks down upon all the heavy hearts of those who loved her as the mourning continues, we should honor her by showing there is a little bit of Chelsea in all of us - smile the next time you make eye contact with a stranger. Laugh when you are with a friend, and most of all, give a hug to those close to you.
