They boarded a bus at Escondido High School High School, donated by Sun Diego Charter, so they could go together to one of Amber's favorite restaurants, have dinner and share memories of Amber, who had wanted a big party for her Sweet Sixteen. Carrie McGonigle says her daughter had her 16th birthday all planned out. she said.
Instead, family and friends ended the evening with a candling tribute along Stanley Avenue in Escondido, where convicted killer John Gardner admitted to kidnapping the 14 year old freshman in February 2009 and killing her.
"Just the fact that I know I'll never celebrate with her it's hard," McGonigle said. In it she wrote, which McGonigle said is difficult to read now.
To mark 16 years since Amber's birth, 16 people shared their fondest memories of Amber.
"Not a day goes by when I don't think of you. You are the most compassionate person I know. I never heard a single hurtful word uttered by you about anyone," one friend said, adding,
Another friend recalled Amber's love of wolves.
Amber's 7-year-old sister Allison said,
It was the first birthday where Amber's family and friends knew her fate. Last October, there was still hope she was alive. Her remains weren't discovered until March of 2010.
"You look at life totally different when something happens like this. You cherish the time with your kids," Amber's mom said. The little things I used to think were so important, are really not that important."
It's a message she hopes other parents who haven't had to go through the pain of losing a child will take to heart.
McGonigle continues to lead the group Team Amber Rescue. There's a search and rescue training course scheduled for January 2011.
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