I can't live without you  / Mommie Holly (mother)
  You know Destiny, I still can't live without you. I dream of the times we used to laugh, hug, cry. But I also remember the times when I was stressed, angry, or rushed, and how you always forgave me when I yelled at you. You were my life, energy, and strength to go on. You were a good daughter. You saw in my eyes the love I had for you and I saw the love for me in your eyes. When I felt your sweet embrace and felt your squigly kisses and your sqweeky "I love you mommie"s I knew you loved me as much as I did you. My world feels upside down tell me how can I go on like this? I wish people would stop thinking I'm okay I only have my moments. I know it makes people uncomfotable and thats why I dont say much anymore. It has only been a year and 2 1/2 months. An eternity yet not long enough. Oh Im a lot "better"Than last year, yet that is only because I have been through most of the "firsts" without you, I am used to the pain it lives in my soul, and beneath the shine in my eyes I've been told. I try to be happy. I smile, do things, and even go on with daily life, but I will never ever feel right. I know in my heart of hearts its not my fault, yet I can't forgive myself, you were right there! but as usual me trying to think of everyone else I asked for help........if only I had grabbed you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I can change the past but I cant. It hurts so deeply and a lot of time s its still more than I can bear even if 'I'm used to it'. Close

TODAY IT'S BEEN A YEAR / Tía Brenda (aunt)
Today its been a year,
Still I shed more tears,
I wish you could've stayed,
In time its so delayed.
A pretty Angel meant to be,
Maybe one day I will see.
I'm wishing that things could've been better,
My eyes only get wetter hoping you could get this letter.
I want you back, Im about to have a heart attac.
My heart cant take the pain, My days are filled with rain.
The storm will never end, I can no longer pretend.
I occasionally find my self econding dwelling on the past.
Now I know what they say is true... "The best things never last."
Memories have stayed, for your love I've prayed,
God has taken the best, I must face the Storm and let your little soul rest.
Remember our love,
Please give a kiss to grandma and all the angels above.
                                                                      Love always -N- forever,
                                                                                       Tia Brenda 

. Close

I MISS YOU! / Joeseph (lil Joe) Garza (uncle (tio))
      Destiny,

You were took out of our world
What was the reason?
It's been a year now,
but I still aint believing.
I wonder when again,
you'r smile I will be seeing.
Now you just turned eight,
what did Janie,mom,Delia, grama and all give you?
I'm sure you aright
But down here we miss you.
At least up in Heaven you
wont be faced with any issue.
I seen so much already,
so I wish I could take your place.
I ask God over and over
why you he had to take?
Your not missing much,
cause this world is filled with hate!
But I still want you here,
to see you grow up and play.
We wont have that chance,
Because God took you away.
Now we are all lost
with a one way conversation
We can't even talk,...
what a messed up revelation!
But I love you and miss you.....
and know your in Gods Heavenly Station!

                 I MISS YOU ,
                                love tío Joey Close

Still Missisng You / Dawn (Old Teacher)
 Destiny, it has been a year now that you have been gone, and honestly I can say that I still do not beleive it. I looked at all your pictures in the album and the one that brings the most tears is the ballons that were sent up for you. It hurts me to see that u are not here to celebrate your b-day, but it also helps me to see how fortunate I am to still be here  today at 28yrs old. Death has no repsect of person. But you were so young and is missed more than these words on the page can say. It hurts me when I look at your pictures. It hurts me when I can't be a friend back to your mom like she has been to me when she needs me the most. It hurts me to not know what to do but try and make her day easy for her at work. For now all I can say is God Bless, and you are missed. Close

God Bless you and your family / Tiffanie (holly taught my child at headstart)
Holly I dont know if you rember me but you taught my daughter at head start Tiara about 3 years ago. I live around the corner from where this tradgey took place . I was out there that night .And I just wanted to tell you that i prayed for you that night and I always pray every time I drive by there.  I just wanted to say God Bless you and your family . Close

The day you wanted to spend the night / Lisa Aguirre (Friend)
Destiny i will never forget the day you said you wanted to spend the night at my house.  Abril and i brought you back to our house and everything was fine.  You and her were playing together, then you noticed it was getting dark.  You then decided that you wanted to go home. It seemed to me that you missed your mom. It was so funny how you changed your mind in a split second.  Your are always on my mind.  There are so many reminders of you . Abril misses you soo much.  She has your picture in her. She will never for get you as nor will I. Close

Precious Little Girl / Renee Madrigal (none)

          I never knew Destiny, but share something special with you, Grief. I myself lost 2 babies. My first son was born on Jan 20th. 1982 and died Feb. 13th 1982. 1 year later on Jan. 13th 1983 I had a daughter that died right before I gave birth. There is nothing that will ever take those feelings away. I carry them every day of my life. Even though I  have 4 other children, there's nothing that can take the place of the 2 I lost.
           I carried them, I felt them, I talked to them. I had names for them, I even fed my son, I held him, and loved them both. I know the grief you are feeling. As I write this now I am crying feeling the pain all over again and knowing what you are feeling. I never knew you or your little girl, but we share a very special bond. The lose of a child. I live at 517 Florence Avenue, right on the same block you did. I was out there the night of the fire, and grieved right along with you. I spoke to the Desiny's father briefly that night and know how upset he was when they  wouldn't let him see his daughter, and even though it hurts like hell, it was probably for the best. Remember Destiny as she was, the happy little girl with the big smile on her face. The pain gets easier over the years but is always there. 
           As my mother has always tells me, remember we now have angels in heaven. This bond between us can't be broken. I walk with my son or older daughter in the neighborhood and stop to say a prayers for Destiny everytime we walk by.
        Destiny,
          Happy Birthday. from a neighbor you didn't know.
      I will also say a prayer for your mom and dad. Just know they loved you more than anything in the world. Today they have pink balloons flying in your honor. And one day we will enter the gates of heaven, and  together we will all meet. We aren't ready to leave this earth yet,  but at times we wish we could just stop in and say hello. But until then,  know you are loved very much.
   Renee
        

Close

YOU................. / Claudia Maldonado (close)
HEY YOU..... STILL, IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG TIME... TO KNOW THIS HAS HAPPEN TO YOUR MOMMY&DADDY ,YESENIA,ELI&ME,TIA BRENDA EVERYONE WHO WAS A PART OF YOUR LIFE. SEEMS SO NOT REAL. BUT I GUESS THATS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND, APPRICIATE THE LITTLE THINGS WE GOT IN LIFE EVEN THOUGH IT MAY SEEM HARD,SEEM LIKE IT WILL NEVER END....BUT SOMEDAY ALL THIS WILL BE OVER... SOME WAY OR ANOTHER... BUT YOUR MOMMY TRYING HER BEST. SHE MISS YOU SO MUCH AS WELL AS OTHERS....... I LOVE YOU DESTINY.... I KNOW YOU HEAR ME TALK TO YOU EVERYDAY... ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR NEVER FORGOTTEN.... NEVER... BESOS... :) @~~%~~~ Close

It has been a year!  / Holly Ortega (mommie)
I cannot believe that I have lived through this year.....The weird thing is that I really don't want to relieve today...Which dont make sense seeing as that I have to go on everyday. I just feel a sense of dread looming around the month of April. April used to mean so much to us and now, now I just want to skip from March to May.I know I have to "go on" and "think of all the good times". Them words just dont mean much to me but a pain in the ass. Words people just say to me to hurry up and get out of the feeling of uncomfort they feel around me.Imagine the uncomfort I feel.I just hear all these dumb cliches and it just gets me mad. I wish I could take back this night one year ago and just change everything. Pretend that it never happened... yet my own brain wont even let me go that far in denial. I cant even daydream as a child and pretend your here. I know the inquest, autopsy, newspaper article, and fire report by memory, and I still feel like it can't be true!!!! Most days people see me talking and smiling and dont even realize how close I am to just staying in bed and saying screw everything why bother, every single morning. The days they see me depressed aren't even what they seem to be. It's usually when I look "okay" is when I am at my worse. I want this day to end. Just for the simple fact that people are calling me and asking me how I am. What do they expect? I am always not okay I will never ever be okay. I will never be the same. Just because today is a significant day doesn't mean I am only sad on this day. I shouldn't be thought about and asked how I am doing only because of the date.I should not see flowers only on today in her memory. Man I HATE THIS DAY! Close

Seven And your in heaven / Tia Brenda Greenwood (Aunt)

You were only seven,
Now An Angel in heaven.
I miss your little touch,
The sound of your voice and seeing your face.
I sometimes wonder how it is in that place.
I miss you alot,
Every moment; I haven't forgot.
I feel your prsence in my home,
I know your there and I'm not alone.
I still feel blue and without you its not the same.
Everything changed within time,
Its hard for me to tame at the drop of a dime.
I have a little baby and I know that you already know,
I see her smile but with your glow.
I remember the day we played in the snow, How much fun we had.
I thank God for those days and Im glad.
Now I must go on and live my life,
With you still in my mind and in my heart,
I never thought we would be apart.
When will this pain end and how did it start?
Destiny, I love you alot, Don't worry; I haven't forgot.

Close

Not Enough Words / Dawn Palmore (Old Teacher)
I think I am actually stuck right at this moment on just what to say. Honestly, I try not to think about you being gone b/c my brain is froze in shock mode behind this tragedy. I believe it, but apart of me truly don't believe. When I look at your picture I think about how you always will run to me and give me a hug when I came to your house.  It's sad that you had to go in order for so many people to re-evaluate their lives, and put important issues in perspective. You are truly missed down here but I know you are in heaven with God. Until our time is up down here, I need you to do me a big favor. Ask God to give your Mommy strengh to deal with the things that friends and family don't see or hear behind close doors. Ask him to give her courage, and peace that passes all understanding. I know that He is able, and I know that she will make it with His Love, Mercy and Compassion ONLY.  Not friends, family, or a therapist can do the works that he is able to do. Also, one last request tell your Mommy not to worry about the shoulda, coulda, woulda! B/c only you, her and God knows that she was the best Mom that she knew how to be.  GOD BLESS, Dawn    Close

Hello Destiny  / Dawn Garcia (Friend of the family )
Hello Little one,
How are things going up there today? I wonder if it is really true, that the gates are golden and the streets are made of pearls. Is it really as beauitful as they say? How can anyone know for sure? I guess we will all have to wait till we get there to see.
I sit and think about your mommy and I wonder how she is today. I only think that today is a bit harder than yesterday. I feel that no mater how much time goes by that this whole thing will not get easier. Maybe that is my own mind playing tricks on me. I know I lost my sister and we weren't even close at the time of her passing and I hurt EVERYDAY for her. So as the imagination works I can only imagine that your mommy is in such deep pain, I know that I am not the closeest person to your Mommy and I never was really really close but let her know that I am here if she needs an ear. I know sometimes it helps to yell at someone even if it only helps for a brief moment. Any relief is better than none. Your Mommy is a good person and Loves you so much. I wait for the day that I can meet you face to face and feel the beauty that shines on you.
Until that day you keep the light lit for us and one day we will follow you.
Always,
Dawn Close

hello / Kelli Brown (loved one)
Hey there:

Felt the need to write.  I was looking at the updates your mama put in the website and wanted to say hi and send my love.  It is strange how your being gone really hits.  Be with your mama.  She needs your presence. 

Love,

Kelli Close

It Still Hurts! / Joseph Garza (Tio)
Destiny everyone is still hurt. I sit here not concentrating and i am suppose to be at work. It is hard for me to go around your mommy because of all the pain i feel, it radiates off of her. Some people dont see it but I do I feel it. The pain, can you ask god to heel it. I know you are close to him and have been asking god to look over all of us. Please tell him I dont mean it when i blame him for taking everyone i love, But it is kindve hard not to. Does he need you more than we do???? answer me somehow... I know there is a way.  Destiny i just need you to know that i Love you oh so much and i know you have been looking down on me lately. I can just feel your presence. Close

Now there is none..... (poem) written by= Holly Garza Ortega 1-29-05 / Holly Destiny's Mommie (mom)
We said "NO RUNNING in the house.."
now there is none,
I said "hurry up and eat your food I'm tired of saying that"
now there is none.
Your teachers said "okay behaviour, too much talking in school"
now there is none,
I said "STOP BEING SAD AT LEAST YOU HAVE A HOUSE"
now there is none.
There is no more eating slow, talking in school, or running in the house, matter of fact there is no more house.
The night the house burned away, all my hopes, dreams, and wishes for you in the future vaninshed too.
 now there is none.
You left me to soon and took away the noise and running, talkin, and eating slow. I guess be careful what you wish for comes to mind. I miss you and wish you were still here.
I miss my little girl with big eyes, and squeky voice I used to hear.
now there is none. Close