jestergrl, ok (10/10/2008 2:36:41 AM)

Why is it that good people and have a promising future always pass away? It seems the scum of the earth just live on and on.

I feel really bad for the parents, friends and especially the driver of the car.A life turning event for sure. She is up singing and praising God. Hope she has a pair of skates.

Mr. Scott, (10/10/2008 7:41:16 AM)

We all pass away from here. It should be no surprise. It'll happen to all of us in one way or another. The way it happens might be a surprise, but death is certain. The human race has a 100% mortality rate.

I didn't know this young woman, but I've had several of her close friends in my classes and it's encouraging, that as I listen to them talk about this, that what they're saying mostly is that she had an unusually strong faith in Christ. Not one of them mentioned skating or art. It's easy to see what they really remembered about her. What a pleasing thing that would be...to leave and have even your death point people to Christ. I'm sorry I missed the chance to know her on this side of Heaven.

Rex Brinley junior, (10/10/2008 8:10:03 AM)

A lot of times kids wont listen to your advice but this just shows that they can live their lives to its utmost fullest and make a big impact on their world. Kids should get out there and mix it up and have some fun. Find what you really like and run with it. Then never stop. The funnest old people are the ones who keep going until activity does them in.

charlesstrnadmd, Jenks (10/10/2008 8:16:49 AM)

"Lord, let me know my end,
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is."
Psalms 39:4

The number of our days is not under our control.
How well we live each day is.

I only knew this young lady by acquaintence, but my family knew her well- and thier grief speaks volumes for how much this girl was loved.
And that is a life lived well, no matter how brief.

God rest your beautiful young soul, S.A.M.

Ramirez, Tulsa (10/10/2008 8:32:18 AM)

Heaven is absolutely REJOICING!!! I'm am so happy that we get together with our loved ones at the end of life here. but at the beginning of our ETERNAL LIFE there in HEAVEN. AMEN...

tnt091605, (10/10/2008 8:42:16 AM)

What an amazing young lady!! Our deepest sympathy to her friends and family.

shanda, (10/10/2008 9:18:23 AM)

Reading this made me cry...I have 2 daughters of my own and I could not imagine losing them. My heart goes out to her parents. She sounded like an amazing person, that everyone she came across has been touched some how. My family and I will have them in our prayers.

BayouGirl, Owasso (10/10/2008 9:30:46 AM)

jestergrl
It only seems like the good ones die young because people do no write articles about the "scum" (as you called them). Not all of the good ones die young; some of them grow to an old age. We should be learning from all of them. My prayers go to this family and all of Sam's friends. Try to live your life as Sam did.

ms csi, Tulsa (10/10/2008 11:12:15 AM)

I got the chance to meet Stephanie when she attended New Life Ranch. When I heard about what happened to Stephanie, the first thing that came to my mind about her was how loved she was by her parents and what an awesome young lady she was. She atteneded camp by herself, which I remember thinking then how much that speaks of her faith..... she was there to meet new friends and to worship. She has crossed my mind from time to time, I know she was put on this earth to touch others as she has in so many ways! I have 2 daughters and I can't imagine loosing them, my heart breaks for her family and friends. I will forever keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

Erika, (10/10/2008 11:26:40 AM)

I did not have the opportunity to meet Stephanie. Her parents, and maternal grandparents, have such a spirit about them that I can only imagine it was passed to her and shone brightly. It breaks my heart to think that someone so fresh and full of life was taken at such an early age. Her light will continue to shine into the hearts of her friends and family. God bless. Erika

r.sipes-TFSC, Tulsa (10/10/2008 11:52:16 AM)

Stephanie was an amazing girl with tremendous talents and strong faith. She was such a beautiful skater, great role model for our younger skaters and a bundle of joy and energy at the rink. It was amazing to see the lives she has touched while spending the last few days at the hospital. Two large waiting rooms in the PICU were filled with adults, young adults, teens and children that were friends and family members of Stephanie's from the rink and Tulsa Figure Skating Club, her church friends and bible study group, school, and business associates of her parents. Emotions ranged from tears and laughter in an inspiring cycle. Prayer was constant, letters and pictures of love and hope were written and drawn. Stephanie's parents were most amazing of all. They stood rock solid in their faith and let God lead them through this tragedy. They put all others first, allowing us to receive the doctors updates in a large group in the waiting room on Wednesday, Stephanie's mom and dad saying "this is Stephanie's family, they all need to hear".

Stephanie was an organ donor and it saving lives this very minute. Please pray for her family and friends and her close friend that was in the accident with her. Pray for the recipiants that are receiving the gift of life from Stephanie today.

Beate, (10/10/2008 12:43:21 PM)

It's amazing how this young girl is being remembered! I didn't know her personally, but my daughter was with her in a bible study group. We do not know why this happened, but we know that she is walking the streets of gold and is rejoicing in the arms of Jesus right now! My prayers are with her family and friends, especially her parents and also especially with Rebecca. May our Lord bless you!

K.Slane - TFSC, Broken Arrow (10/10/2008 1:09:21 PM)

As a skate parent for the last 6+ years, I've had an opportunity to watch Stephanie grow from a little girl into an incredible young lady. The outpouring of love and admiration for this child is not the least bit surprising. There is not a single person who came in contact with Stephanie who wasn't thoroughly impressed by her. She had an amazing spirit, maturity and wisdom beyond her years, and such an eloquent grace about her. I love all of our skaters, but something about the way Sam skated always made you stop what you were doing and watch. I remember making this comment to Jan just this past April in Dallas at a competition. My comment led to a conversation about Stephanie that made me realize just how incredibly important she was to her parents. It made such an impression on me, I went back to the stands and told my wife about it. Rarely (in my case never) has a conversation about someone's child touched me so much that I actually had to tell someone about it.

I'd like to share a story about just how broad of a reach Stephanie had. When I heard about the accident it was about 9:00AM and I was in a training class downtown. I had never met the instructor before. He received a phone call from his wife and had her on speakerphone. The instructor and his wife knew the McKays somehow. (I don't recall how.) As she was telling the story of the accident, I realized she was talking about Stephanie. I immediately started calling/texting other skate parents to try to find out what was going on. I would later see that instructor in the PICU waiting room along with all the other friends and family members. What I find most amazing is that in a town of almost a million peolpe (if you include the surrounding communities) were two complete strangers, adult men, in tears over the news of this girl who had touched our lives in some way.

Robbin is right. At this very moment, through her organ donation, Stephanie is affecting the lives of people she's never met. Their lives will be forever changed by their brush with Stephanie as has all of ours.

cat55, tulsa (10/10/2008 3:01:32 PM)

My nephew recently lost his only son. He died after being hit by a car in North Port Fl. What I remember the most, and what struck my heart as the saddest was the memorial service his parents and family had to quickly put together. They did not sleep for days. My nephew worked non stop gathering everything he could find to display, to tell a story of Alex's life. They had saved almost everything from his childhood. And even though they did an outstanding job I know in their hearts it didn't feel like it was enough. We expect to be planning a prom, a birthday party or a wedding, never do we expect that it will be a memorial service. My heart is so sad for them. I will keep them in my prayers. I know they must be an outstanding family to have raised such a wonderful christian daughter. God bless them and bring comfort to their hearts.

manofGod, tulsa (10/10/2008 3:16:29 PM)

its not so much as good people passing on and the scum lives on and on, we have to understand God has a plan for our life, my heart goes out to this family being a father with a 14 year old daughter, but we have to realize that obviously God needed this young lady more than anyone else, and thats all that matters is being with our heavenly father. God bless and strengthen this family

A1CCloke, Sheppard AFB (10/10/2008 5:22:04 PM)

That's good that someones helped to set up a fund for the family. Sam was a great friend and a strong christian. I so much wanted to come home on leave to visit her and the rest of our bible study. I will forever hold her dear and I cant wait to see her again!

okie ridgerunner, small town (10/10/2008 7:11:28 PM)

I am sad for the family.but i am happy for this young girl, not that she is gone, but the fact that her and every one that knew her knows she was a christian and knows where she is going. - i did not know her but from her wonderful smiling face and what i have read about her i cant keep from loving such a wonderful person. i can see she has touched in a wonderful way a lot of people. and i am sure will be remembered for ever in a loving way.

SkaterAndDancer, (10/10/2008 11:55:07 PM)

Stephanie's parents were most amazing of all. They stood rock solid in their faith and let God lead them through this tragedy. They put all others first, allowing us to receive the doctors updates in a large group in the waiting room on Wednesday, Stephanie's mom and dad saying "this is Stephanie's family, they all need to hear".

This is so incredibly true.. I was in disbelief that they managed to stay so strong throughout the situation, but it was truly because of their faith in the Lord that they were able to handle the situation as they did. When the doctor came out around 2:30-3 on Thursday and the McKay's said for the whole group of friends and family to hear was absolutely incredible.

Just by the amount of publicity that this accident has created is tremendous and truly shows what a beautiful soul Stephanie is. She brought a smile to everyone's face that met her and she will never be forgotten. I feel honored to have known her and can't wait to see again in heaven.

PAN, (10/11/2008 3:41:02 AM)

What a beautiful young lady! My heart breaks for her family, friends and instructors. May God be with all of you to help you through your loss. I am SO sorry!

artistically yours, Broken Arrow (10/11/2008 12:56:12 PM)

Oh my goodness, when Stephanie would walk into my class she would light up the entire art room with her smile, laugh and incredible creativity. I had the great pleasure of being her art instructor while she was attending Moore Elementary. My heart is just broken that this precious girl is no longer with us. Stephanie and her amazing parents radiated the Christian spirit then and her parents exhibit it now as they witness through their grief. I will miss you my sweet girl and will never take for granted the gift I received watching you grow in your artistic ability and all the joy I received from your laughter and hugs.

icekota, (10/11/2008 6:45:47 PM)

Stephanie was a good friend of mine. She was always giddy and weird. We were like brother and sister at sometimes. It was too bad that i had to move away. We skated together and had some pretty wild times. My mom taught ice skating and she loved my mom very much like her own, and it was the same way for me with her mom, Miss Jan. Steph was a great artist. She started my whole addiction to drawing! But i think all along, that was her gift to me before she left. I, amoung many, will miss her deaply. Keep rockin' steph!

kellyjoe, (10/11/2008 9:34:00 PM)

Sam was more than just an amazing friend, she was an exquisit young and talented artist, a graceful skater who could draw you into the love of the sport, a wonderful daughter filled with joy that not many people had, and a beautiful child of God whos story has touched the hearts of so many people, young and old, destined to find what Sam had. Because of her life, Stephanie Anne McKay will literally save the lives of others filling their life with joy and hope. We can only pray that our life will live to the fullest as hers did, following God in every step to the very last minute and praying our life will be the witness to this world just as hers was.

My heart and prayers go out to Mr. and Mrs. McKay and all of us friends and family who had the blessing, honor, and privelage of being a part of such a precious young life. We can only be filled with joy for where she is now, and wait until one day, we all join her once again.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For i know the plans i have for you delcares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a wonderful future and an amazing hope."

jan and mike mckay, Broken Arrow (10/12/2008 7:08:20 PM)

To the Truck Driver we would like to say THANK YOU. You were an answer to Sam's prayer. Her request to God, was for God to use her to Glorify Him. You were a part of that answered prayer. Our prayer to you is that you have no guilt, but inter peace. For both you and Becky, the driver of the car, remember that in God's plan there are no ifs, or whys. Becky is the lovely girl who lives with us. She calls me mummy. I call her my daughter, and Sam called her the sister she never had. There is no one to blame, because this was an accident. Please visit Tulsa Figure Skating Club's web site, for comfort.

If anyone who reads this knows the truck driver, please-please pass it on to him.

To live is Christ, to die is Gain.

Jan and Mike, Sam's parents.

tmorin, redford (10/12/2008 10:09:36 PM)

To Jan and Mike.My deepest condolences.I only meet your daughter once when her and mike came to michigan during the summer to visit the family.I came up to oscoda on a one day trip with my brother andy.I was amazed on what she had accomplished at such a young age.I saw some of her drawings when she did a couple some other kids at the cabins.She had a bright future ahead of her.I wish I could be there to pay my respects.My prayers go out to you and the family.Love Tony