On that fateful day of April 25, 2017, the world witnessed a tragic event that forever left an indelible mark on the lives of those involved. Anisa Gannon, then a 19-year-old young woman, was on her way to work like any other ordinary day. Little did she know that her decision to capture the horrific car accident on her camera would not only become a justification for her lateness but also offer a glimmer of comfort and closure to the grieving families affected by the disaster.
Four people died in the horrific disaster because Hannah was also waiting.
Anisa, who was already late for work, decided to take a photo of the collision and present it to her supervisor as a justification for being late that day. What she didn’t know was that the family of those who died would get some sort of closure as a result of the image.
Specifically, Anisa didn’t see anything unusual while taking the photo, but when she showed it to her aunt Tara Noble, she was alerted to a crystal clear beam of light coming from the accident. It seemed like a way to heaven.
The aunt remarked, “Anisa, it seems to be a staircase leading to heaven.”
Anisa felt obligated to show the picture to Hannah and Lauren’s families once she realized it was a “way to heaven.” She believed it would bring comfort, and she was right.
Judy Simmons, Hannah’s mother, said after seeing the picture, “I needed something to reassure me that they were in heaven and that they were okay. It was a confirmation.”
In a similar vein to Judy, Lauren’s mother Dana Buteau wrote, “I can’t explain the feeling (that) came over me. It was like we were watching them enter heaven.”
The painting served as a sign and helped grieving families move on. It offered them some comfort and supported them in their pain. It was all they needed under such dire circumstances.
Judy commented: “Nothing will ever be the same, my heart is broken and I grieve for them every day.
If that photo wasn’t there, I’m not sure how much better it would have been for me.
She claimed that to remind herself that her daughter and granddaughter are in a safe place every day and to see the picture, she keeps it on the TV.
According to Hannah’s fiance, Anisa’s portrait gave him peace. He lost the love of his life along with a nine-month-old daughter and a pregnant child. “The picture gives me peace because I know they are looking down on me. It is quite beneficial.
The power of a single photo is undeniable. In the face of tragedy, it offered families a glimmer of hope and a way to find closure. It has become a symbol of love, faith, and resilience, reminding us all that even in the darkest times there can be moments of light and beauty. Anisa Gannon’s decision to capture this image on her camera may have been a simple act, but its impact on the lives of those it touched is immeasurable. It serves as a testament to the profound ways photographs can carry emotions, memories, and stories, offering comfort to those who need it most.