Where Im From

Michelle's Leading Star Foundation

Helping Make Teen Driving Safer

Where Im From

Our Michelle would have turned 16 on April 17th 2006. She was a beautiful girl with a promising future, a flare for the dramatics and a passion for writing. One of her writings that we will always cherish was written by Michelle a couple of years ago for a school project. We think it captures Michelle’s sprit, imagination, and what was really important to her. It has found a special place in our hearts and we would like to share this with you, so you better understand her inner soul. Beginning with the title, it reads:

“Where I’m From” by Michelle Sanderbeck
I am from necklaces and pink lace and long thin toes
From XOXO’s … Coach purse and dangling earrings.
I am from pink brick and cracked mortar
That was built upon my foundation.
I am from luxurious yellow roses, And blood red maples
As a reminder of the rebirth of summer.
I’m from holiday gatherings, Italian pasta to glazed ham dinners.
I’m from summer vacations, staying up late at night, and hanging out with the best Cousins, Aunts and Uncles that one could imagine.
From a Poppy who tells the best stories and Grandpa who sneezes up a storm.
I’m from the highly motivated and those who need a shove once and a while
I’m from say something nice or not say anything at all
I’m from the Catholics who genuflect and to those who believe
I’m from Pittsburgh where we root for the Steelers,
From Grandma who use to work out faithfully at 7:00 a.m.
My Grammy who prays daily to the saints “For everyone”.
In my spacious family room…Behind the cabinets of oak doors
Where we all gather to watch TV as a family.
That’s where my precious memories will lie forever.

I would like to add that our family will remember Michelle, as a “Girly Girl” that loved to shop with a zest for life. She had this contagious smile that could brighten any room. She was bigger than life itself. She was such a loving girl, with a heart that was truly made of gold. Her wisdom was beyond her years. She gave such good advice to everybody: friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, her sister Jacki, her mother Debbie, and even her dad. Michelle was amazing like that. She brought laughter out in the saddest times. She brought so much joy into our lives and into the life of anybody that she touched. You see, Michelle had this unique ability to make people feel special. If you hung out with Michelle she made you feel that you were the center of attention. That’s a gift that many people don’t possess, but for our Michelle it came naturally. Our family has not only lost a niece, a cousin, a granddaughter, a sister and a daughter but we have lost our best friend. Michelle was our inspiration and a rock that we built our foundation on. Even though we are not able to physically touch her anymore, when we look into our back yard and see the blood red maple we will think of pink lace, dangling earrings and those long thin toes, and we will remember Michelle’s beautiful smile and sparkling eyes. Michelle was our Leading Star. We will remember her love and her touch. She will be in our hearts and minds forever! But she would still be with us in body and spirit if youth driving was made safer. “Drive safe and hold your kids tight.”