Now there are three more signs accompanying the green Hopewell marker. The department of transportation has erected memorial the signs we requested for Lauren, Joe and Jenna reminding all to drive safely. These signs are affectionately referred to in the biz as "lollipop" signs due to their round white tops.
This "area" is so small that as I researched it further all I found was a definition in the GNIS or Geographic Names Information System. It is categorized as a "populated place". Defined as a place or area with clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent human population (city, settlement, town, village). A populated place is usually not incorporated and by definition has no legal boundaries. However, a populated place may have a corresponding "civil" record, the legal boundaries of which may or may not coincide with the perceived populated place.
I have driven on this stretch of road countless times and I don't recall ever noticing this Hopewell sign. I always considered this part of the state road to be Plant City, the larger town near by. Perhaps the locals would quickly inform me that Hopewell is its own very distinct area but until this tragedy I had never given it a second thought.
I tell you all of this to emphasize the minimal importance of this specific location to most of the general population. But to me it is by far one of the most significant areas in the world. It is here that my life was changed forever. It is here that a piece of me died along with my precious daughter. And it is here that events unfolded that caused my faith in God to be thrust into focus with such urgency, intensity and desperation that it almost left me breathless. I still smile at the name on this sign as I pray for continued strength and think to myself...I HOPE all is WELL with my Lauren.
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