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There was a very sad accident not long ago, in which a cyclist was killed. He had begun to cycle to work in order to save money. The recent increases in gas prices were beginning to cut into his young family’s budget.

He was riding his bike down a busy city street. As he passed by a line of parked cars, someone opened a car door. The cyclist caught the door full on, was thrown into the oncoming line of traffic and was run over by a truck. It was a horrific tragedy all around. The drivers of the vehicles were devastated; the man’s family was crushed with grief.

In a surprising comment to the press his wife explained that at least his children would have many good memories of their father. They had bought a digital video cam when their first child was born three years ago. She and her husband had compulsively filmed family activities since that time. She spoke of creating an online memory book of his life, and uploading the video. She hoped that other people would be able to add to the book, for the sake of her children. I hope to see her story on Respectance and Picalily.

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How does anyone cope with the unimaginable, watching as a loved one dies in front of your eyes? How do we process that? How do we go on after? And how do we survive the guilt of surviving? There are a few people that have created online tributes on Respectance of families who have undergone this exact tragedy.

An entire family was lost this week while hiking in the Alps, somewhere along the Swiss-Italian border. The father, and three children fell to their death as their mother watched helplessly. Our deepest sympathies go out to her, you can leave your thoughts here.

If you’ve had such a horrible experience you might want to join one of our online support groups, or create your own. Respectance is here to help you in your time of need.

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K-Swift was a well respected and successful on air personality, DJ and music mixer, entrepreneur and role model for women in the music industry.  She was best known in the Baltimore club scene, hosting her show on WJZ radio station.

K-Swift, aka Khia Edgerton died a few days ago after she dove into her above ground pool and broke her neck.  She was hosting a party at her house, and shortly after midnight decided to go for a swim.  There were other people in the pool and there were lifeguards present.  She didn’t surface immediately, but it took a little while for people to get worried and dive in for her.   No one gave her CPR. The ambulance got there 8 minutes after the call, and she was pronounced dead.  Police are investigating the death, although it is being ruled accidental.  Khia was a trained lifeguard.

She had been DJ ing since the age of 11 and was a successful business woman.  She owned her own graphics, management and production company, had her own radio show, and played the club scene.  She gave a lot of her time and energy back to the community and loved children.  She is remembered by everyone as a great, ambitious and loving woman.

“Her love and passion for everything she did was the key to her success” said WJZ station manager Howard Mazer.  “She is truly a person that both the radio and music industry will miss.”

Her death has once again proved the internet is a rallying point for mourning and remembering.  Online memorials and tributes have been created in her memory on several sites including Respectance.  Her friends and fans are dropping in regularly to remember her and her work.  She’ll be missed in the music world, in her community and by her family.

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A series of brutal stabbings this year have been plaguing the streets of London and have taken the lives of several teenagers. Frederick Moody was killed yesterday July 17th, 2008.  He is the 21st teenager stabbed to death in London this year. These murders have left many parents feeling pain and grief over the loss of their children. It is a death that no parent should have to endure.

The Respectance team is grateful that users are creating tributes in memory of these innocent lives lost. In addition to Frederick Moody, tributes have been created for the following teen victims:

Ben Kinsella (16), died June 29th.
Shakilus Townsend (16), died July 4th.
Melvin Bryan (18), died July 10th.

These murders have also left a wave of concern and fear for London citizens. It is good to know that police are taking some initiative in this series of killings by issuing searches and confiscating knifes. We would like to hear your thoughts and concerns regarding this crime wave and how law enforcements are handling this serious problem that is hitting the streets of London.

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His breakout role came as Ennis, in his Academy Award nominated performance in Brokeback Mountain. The groundbreaking romantic drama featured Ledger as a 1960’s era cowboy who falls in love with another man.  The movie follows their complex relationship over 20 years. Some critics heralded the movie as a ‘breakthrough’ film for gay cinema.  It was a demanding role, and a brave choice for Heath Ledger to accept.  The movie created a lot of controversy.

His role as the Joker in Dark Knight is in intensely dark role.  He was apparently warned by Jack Nicholson about it.   Heath withdrew from people to prepare, and succeeded in delivering an excellent performance in this key role.  According to the reviews out so far, his performance is one deserving of the Oscar nod.

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