Sophomore Breanna Henley and her father were returning home from one of his friend’s houses when he lost control of their vehicle and hit a tree.

“[I was] in a coma for three hours. They were able to revive [me] and tried to shock him [with a defibrillator], but they couldn’t [revive him] because he died instantly,” said Henley. She was only eleven.

Henley’s parents had divorced when she was three years old. By the time she was eleven, Henley’s mother, Jessica, was living in Colorado and

attending acupuncture school. At the time of the accident, Henley was living with her father and attending a school in Millington.
After the tragedy, her mother flew into Memphis and took her away. Henley recalls moving to Colorado and then to Chicago. The circumstances were rough since she was unable to say her goodbyes.

“I was devastated, confused for a long time. I wasn’t used to living with my mom – only my mom.” Finding herself unable to change her life situation, Henley learned to be content. “There’s always ways to be happy. You always have to find the good things.”

Henley remembers her dad with fond memories. “He never got mad… always thought about me before he made any decision. He’d always say, ‘If you don’t know what to do, sit on your hands and do nothing.’” On the anniversaries of his birth and death and on Father’s Day, Henley goes to place flowers on his grave in his memory.

The experience has made Henley more thankful for the people in her life. “I’m still able to have my mom around to take care of me, and I’m thankful for her every day and [for] family and friends.”

She said her loss has strengthened her character, allowing her to empathize with others. “I know to be kind and respectful and not take people for granted because you never know what will happen.”