This online memorial was created in loving memory of Amanda Franklin, whose life story is told throughout this memorial website. Please sign Amanda's guest book and let us know you came to visit. We will remember Amanda forever.
My 17 year old daughter Amanda Jane Franklin was killed in a car accident along with 2 other teenagers because a boy wanted to exceed the speed limit. Amanda was going to the movies with her friend Brittany and a boy named Justin Draper on September 24th. Justin was driving almost 100 mph in a 45mph zone. Amanda was in the back seat with her seatbelt on when they t-boned another car driven by an 18 yo boy named Michael Foley. Michael had his 15 yo girlfriend, Jeleena with him who was killed instantly, Michael died the next day and my daughter Amanda Jane was taken off life support the following day. It took her 5 hrs and 11 min to pass away. I don't know why I didn't die with her I know I wanted to. Justin broke his leg and Brittany broke both her femers displacing one, she cracked her sternum, and broke a couple of other bones. Brittany is now going to college and has mostly recovered from her injuries but will always live with the horror of losing her best friend. To this day Justin has yet to be charged with vehicular manslaughter. The D.A. called me and said they are working on the case right now. Justin has since received 3 speeding tickets that I know of and on his myspace he has a picture of his car before the accident and underneath it he has written "I miss my baby" He hasn't said one word about how he killed 3 innocent kids who all had a life ahead of them. He hasn't called me to say how sorry he is or anything and because of his lack of concern I am pursuing his indictment to the fullest extent of the law. I will be there, at the hearing and I will let everyone know just how much my daughter Amanda Jane is loved and missed.
Amanda Jane had the most beautiful blue eyes and her laugh...oh her laugh. I loved it! She looked like me but was 100 times more beautiful. My life has changed....I did invetro fertilization (my tubes were tied when my son Logan Adam was born) And I had boy/girl twins March 8, 2008. Seth and Skylar do not replace Amanda but they have saved my life. I stopped living the moment Amanda's heart stopped beating.
Amanda Jane loved to dance, oh my gosh could she dance and sing, she loved going on vacation with me and her brother Logan. She loved having slumber parties, going to the movies and the skating rink. I started teaching her how to skate when she was 2. Amanda got her 1st karaoke machine when she was 4. Amanda loved to hang out with her friends, swim in the pool, get manicures, do her hair....go running and bike riding with me and her brother. Amanda was very smart but most of the time school was a social time for her so her grades were just average.
6/24/2009
I am doing much better now. Life is good again and I feel like living again. The day they buried my daughter was the day I buried my heart and life and it took me 2 years to dig myself out of her grave. I can smile again and I have actually laughed a couple of times. I miss Amanda Jane with all of my heart and soul and with my faith in Christ I know I will see her again. I know Amanda is here with me when I have my difficult times because I can feel her. I have aged so much over the last 2 years but I have found my new normal. I have survived the loss of my child and I pray to God that I NEVER have to go through that ever again. Losing a child is the worst loss. People don't understand why we don't get over it...they make stupid comments and all I can do is pray for these people. I pray that they never know what it feels like to lose a child. Oh, and another thing.... I really know I am healing because the other day someone paid me a nice compliment and it made me feel good inside.
My son Logan is 18 now and leaves for the Army July 14th. He said he was tired of school and wanted some adventure...well he is gonna get it!! I am proud of his plans for his future. Logan Adam said after he gets out of the service (he is going to be a military policeman) he is going to become a police officer and his goal is to get on the SWAT team....and all these years I thought he was going to be a Professional Firefighter like his momma. Amanda Jane wanted to become a dentist.
The twins are doing great. They are both walking and getting into everything, they keep me grounded and have truly been my saving grace. Thank you Father God for my healthy babies!!!! I continue to journal and go to my compassionate friends meeting which I help co-facilitate. The trial will be starting soon for the man who killed my daughter and the other 2 kids so I will be busy focusing on that and his punishment phase. I will keep you updated. Please sign Amanda Jane's guestbook so I know she will never be forgotten.
9/23/2009
Justin was finally indicted on June 25, 2009 (better late than never) he is being charged with 3 counts vehicular manslaughter and 1 count aggravated assault. The trial starts Nov 4th 2009. Tomorrow is the 3rd year anniversary of Amanda's accident and It will be 3 years this saturday since she has gone to Heaven. Amanda you are a lovely, wonderful, funloving, outgoing girl, I see so much of you in your sister Skylar and your brother Seth. I thank God everyday for the gifts he gave me. Thank you Amanda for chosing me to be your mom. I only wish I would have had more time. Your brother Logan will finish Army bootcamp Sept 28th and then will start his military police training. I know you will be there with us for his graduation it will be a very proud day for us all. I love you Amanda Jane, I miss you, not a moment goes by that I don't think about you. Love, momma
Amanda lived and Amanda lives!
Don't forget to visit the photo album in the upper left corner of Amanda's page. | 
