September 11, 2001 is a day that has changed
the world as we know it. Our country has grown
together with a common cause and purpose. Our senses
have reeled with what has occurred and some of the
senseless acts that have followed. There is a long
road ahead. We all look for light, direction and hope.
On September 11, 200l, a gesture of hope and faith
in the ability of people to work together for the
dream and vision of world peace happened at Alta
Elementary School. The school gathered together at
noon to observe a minute of silence with millions
around the world to honor the twentieth annual
International Day of Peace. Hillary's parents Ron and
Margaret Zavala, brothers, grandparents, uncle, and
cousins also came for the event. All adults and many
children were aware of what was happening in New York
and Washington D.C. yet we kept the focus on observing
this gesture of hope and faith in a better tomorrow.
Then we planted a Bradford Pear that was donated by
Buttonwillow Nursery as a memorial for a child who
loved others and lived a life of peaceful caring
example, Hillary Zavala.
Hillary Zavala died at the early age of 13 after
suffering for years from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a
disease that currently has no cure. This devastating
disease often kills children before the age of 2, the
fact that Hillary lived as long as she did was a
miracle in itself. Yet Hillary was a living miracle in
many ways, she never complained and always thought
more of others than herself. She was never one to ask
for pity, she did desire friendship and gave it freely
to all around her. She was truly loved by many even
children and teachers that she never met except
through communicating on the Internet. Hillary was a
little Internet pioneer participating in international
projects since the age of 6. She sent Alta's first
peace pal off with world famous Roger Williams in the
spring of 1997, helped send travel buddy ambassadors
to Australia, the Netherlands, and other countries.
When Kosovo erupted in crisis, she brought the best
chocolate chip cookies for bake sales helping to raise
nearly $200.00 for Doctors without Borders to provide
relief for refugees.
The International Day of Peace seemed the most
fitting day to remember Alta's little angel (as many
refer to her). It was a proper day of memorial yet
never did we anticipate such a horrific beginning to
this day. We planted the tree with heavy hearts for
our country yet also recalling the ever-present
twinkle in Hillary's eye, her quick and full smile and
cheerful spirit. We need reminders like that right
now, we need light, we need hope, and we need to learn
to live together with respect and tolerance. Those
were always themes we always touched upon in
discussing how to live in greater harmony.
Come visit Alta's Peace Tree, see it blossom in the
spring, and take a minute of silence to reflect and
envision on a more peaceful world. Remember to support
our country right now as well as perhaps supporting
research to help find a cure for Spinal Muscular
Atrophy. We need the lights of the Hillarys of the
world to be with us longer.
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To learn more about this disease please
visit Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
http://www.fsma.org/.
Contact Families of SMA if you are interested
in making a donation or having a fundraiser
to help raise funds for a cure. Contact Sandy
Wimsatt, Director of Fundraising at s.wimsatt@worldnet.att.net,
or call the office at 1-800-886-1762.
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Hillary with world famous "Roger
William" in 1997. Lucky arrived as Peace Pal
and Alta went to Vineland
Elementary.
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