~In Memory - Tiffany Nicole Long~

Tiffany Nicole Long of Burlington, North Carolina - October 16, 1998 at the young age of ten years old lost her life to the hands of three local teens who was charged with her brutal and dreadful murder. No amount of words makes it any better, this was a senseless and despicable murder. I never could quite understand what motivated them into such a crime as this - am sure they knew right from wrong even if they were young. Such a sad situation and yet there is very few days that go by that I don't think of Tiffany and her family. I would love to see and talk wer her grandmother again.

A Series this week about Tiffany Longs' tragic ending...
Burlington Times News

The first page I made for Tiffanys' memory
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/9547/sylvias/tiffany.html
Ten years Later: In Memory of Tiffany Nicole Long
http://beadinggranny.com/Tiffany.htm

You know I will never forget the evening I heard on the news of the missing 10 year old girl in Burlington, N.C. and waking the next morning to hear they had found her and the tragic way she was killed. I couldn't help being glued to the television and the newspapers to read about Tiffany and the trial of the three teens who were accused of her murder. They were so very young and I couldn't help but think of what their families were going through too. The only thing - they would be able to see them again - their lives weren't taken away - out of sight. They could write and visit and talk with them but Tiffany's life was over, a memory to all who loved her and missed that little 10 year old child with a grin so captivating to anyone. I remember the pictures her sisters showed me the day I met them after visiting with a poem I had written and framed for her grandmother, Nancy. I remember the vigil where candles were lit and prayers were said for Tiffany and her family. Remembering this tragedy happening in this small community will be with me always - I sit and write about my feelings and think of it often. No matter when or where my grandchildren are I worry every minute of the day about them. No one should have to go through this any time of their lives - but it is real - they are out there to hurt some poor soul eveyday and it happens too often. Crime is up in our streets now in 2008 more than it was in 1998.

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After the trial I wondered is it really over? We can't just wipe it out of our minds and forget. I never knew Tiffany or her family until I heard about the missing child and that she was found murdered. And then I met her grandmother, Nancy, oh my word this is the lady who works at the remnant shop at BMOC! Shock was my first feeling, then the sentiments began. How in the world could she cope? How could she manage a tragedy such as this and raising her grandchildren alone? My heart felt so heavy - I could never imagine going through this. I lost a granchild due to premature birth and thought my world had fell apart! How was she going to make it? Talking to Nancy at the store on several occasions I thought she was one of the sweetest ladies I had ever met, so nice and polite and really helpful while working at that store. I could not get my mind off of what she was going through.

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I thought of the many lives that were tattered and torn in two since the tragedy of Tiffany and could never get these words out of my mind - I would like to share it with you...

It’s Never Really Over …

As the trial is slowly ending
the jury has come in
Waiting in anticipation,
oh where do they begin?
“Guilty” is the verdict,
a lifetime for all three
Hoping God will guide them
help to make them see
There was a life taken
in a cruel and battering way
As a community will remember
what happened on that day.
Pressure in the courtroom
with evidence and such
Tears from the families
who loved and cared so much
It’s never really over,
the memories are still there
Of lives that have been shattered
the ones who always care
No one wins today
it’s a shame for this world, you see!
There’s so much crime and hatred
in this cruel society
It’s never really over
`lest we will forget
This little girl who loved life
and the three paying the debt.

God Bless You All,
S. Allison
10/5/00

Hearts were broken, torn in two
A community left in fear
Tragedy struck, all was lost
When reality did appear

Three local teens were at fault
Taking a life so young and new
So close to home in an abandoned house
Just down the avenue

Three scared teens ran away
Leaving her beaten and tied up
A sunny day in October
A sense of tragedy did develop.

Lifeless and bound there she laid
That child of ten years old
Police investigates and captured the three
Questions them as their tales were told

Tonight while the family thinks back
Ten years ago it seems
That it was only yesterday
The three tore apart their dreams.

Sylvia Allison
5/13/08

A bench dedicated to Tiffany at the Alamance Memorial Park where she finally rests.

This flame burns in Tiffany's memory