In Memory of Elizabeth

When my sister was 20 she gave birth to her first daugheter, Elizabeth Rae. Sister was homeless, had no money and had just married Beth's father. The two of them had nothing except their names, so they returned from the hospital to the home we grew up in with a baby in her arms and not a clue what to do.

In stepped my Mom and my Grandma Elliot - two very proud and first time grandmas/great grandmas. While they didn't "take over" the raising of Beth, they certainly played a significant role in keeping her fed, bathed, clothed, loved, and safe at night. I remember being fascinated with that tiny little girl as she slept and when she was awake. Still a teenager, as her uncle, I was somewhat embarrased by the circumstances at which she came into the world. But, I recognized the importance of giving her a good start and watched as mom and Grandma did their best to make that happen for the first 10 years of her life.

But, as it is in the world, not everyone contributes to the lives of the littlest ones around us. Once sister moved out of the family home, got divorced, remarried had a second child, got divorced, remarried, and had her third child, the potential for not only Beth, but her sisters too, were reduced faster than a Santa Barbara mudslide after a 10-inch rain. Mom moved from the hometown we grew up in. Grandma passed away. Sister and husband number three moved to Kansas and before Beth could live to be 25, her life ended on Nov. 29, 2006.

WIBW-TV Channel 13

Ice Related Accidents
Fatal & Injury Accident

Posted: 10:41 PM Nov 29, 2006
Reporter: Marla Carter

Icy weather may be to blame for an accident that killed a 24-year-old. Elizabeth Dominguez-Santo of Lawrence died when the car she was riding in hit a mini van. The Turnpike Authority says the car was headed westbound on the turnpike, when the driver lost control in a construction area. The driver slid sideways into an eastbound minivan. In all six people went to the hospital.

My favorite memory of Beth dates back to the "better days" when she was only four or five. Mom had just relocated, so we packed up to visit her for Thanksgiving and Beth went with us on the 1400-mile road trip. Still innocent and always wanting to win the love of those around her, she charmed us throughout the trip. We taught her how to spell Mississippi as we returned to Iowa, and she taught us how fun it was to have a child who was so obviously impressionable, eager to learn and willing to please.

It's that Beth that I choose to remember. The sweetheart of a girl with huge brown eyes and a big bright smile. The girl dancing in her Great Grandma's living room with curlers in her hair, excited because there were fresh cookies or a cake baking in the oven just for her. The girl in a beautiful flower girl's dress who walked down the aisle on my wedding day - the center of attention if only for a few minutes - perhaps the only time that she walked so proudly and had "all eyes" watching her.

Beth's life in recent years was nothing to be proud of, but she remained my niece. Her Great Grandma welcomed her with open arms yesterday, telling her, "It's time for a fresh start in a world where all has been forgiven."

I hope the two of them are dancing together.

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