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Parents Get Married At Son's Funeral
Filed under: In The News, Weird But True
A 7-year-old boy always wished his parents were legally married. They finally fulfilled his wish -- at his funeral.
Asa Hill died a day after being in a fiery six-vehicle crash Thursday on the Niagara Thruway in upstate New York.
The Associated Press reported that this boy's parents, Amilcar Hill and Rahwa Ghirmatizion, surprised the hundreds of people who packed the child's funeral Monday by getting married during the service. They said it had been their son's wish for a long time.
Amilcar Hill told The Buffalo News Thursday night that he and his family were "hoping for a miracle" but "planning for reality" after rescuers took his critically injured son to Women and Children's Hospital in Buffalo.
Other victims in the accident included Amilcar Hill's father and 6-year-old brother. Amilcar's father, 55-year-old Michael E. Hill of Buffalo, suffered several broken ribs and possibly a collapsed lung. He remains at Eerie County Medical Center.
Amilcar Hill's brother, Tshanolo Hill, was treated for minor injuries. The two young boys spent a lot of time together, Hill said, so his brother was allowed to visit his son's bedside.
The Rev. Joel Miller, the Unitarian minister who presided over both the wedding and funeral, said the wedding ceremony honored young Asa Hill's spirit.
"He was a powerful presence -- direct, smart, and had a way of bringing people together," Miller told CNN.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 16)
9-08-2009 @ 10:16PM
Lalalotier said...I don't really know what to say, I just wanted to be the first to comment. This is strange, sweet, and wrong at the same time.
Reply
9-09-2009 @ 12:54AM
matt said...Ha. I was going to say ha about the story, but ur comment amused me. So, double ha.
9-09-2009 @ 7:45AM
aa1afl411 said...I'm certain that everyone here is happy for your accomplishment.
9-09-2009 @ 7:57AM
Patti Wood said...Why is this "wrong"? The poor people just lost their son for crying out loud! They wanted to do this to honor his memory. I see NOTHING wrong about it! I know how it feels to lose your kid. I lost my son at age 23 in 1995. YOU NEVER GET OVER IT!
I have cried for these people.
9-09-2009 @ 9:07AM
Lisa said...Rest in peace baby boy.
9-09-2009 @ 9:18AM
carole del monte said...How sick is that? The boy never saw them married. He doesn't & will not know about the wedding. We have to drop the selfishness & look at others' wants & needs while they're alive. If the couple haven't married before, there must be a reason. I hope they'll be happy for life, but I don't expect that to happen
9-09-2009 @ 11:13AM
Robert said...Nothing strange or wrong about this...
I think that was the greatest tribute they could give their son.
As well as puting some joy back into life at a time when it was most needed.
9-09-2009 @ 12:43PM
Mike said...There's absolutely nothing wrong with this. What is wrong with honoring your child's last wish? I think the funeral was the PERFECT time to commit to each other, because it turned into a celebration of life.
Those of you passing judgment, go screw yourselves. Let us into YOUR closets and see what you're hiding. Most of you will never know the horror and pain of losing a young child, so until you walk a mile in their shoes, STFU!!
My heart and congratulations go out to the parents.
9-09-2009 @ 1:59PM
Rhonda said...I have to agree with Lalalotier. It's strange,and sweet but something about it just seems wrong.
9-10-2009 @ 12:00AM
JANSACTO54 said...Why didn't they get married after they knew they were pregnant?? Very sad that their boy got killed. A "piece of paper" does mean something, the son knew it and wanted it, but too late...
9-13-2009 @ 4:15PM
Paula said...No, not wrong but wonderful! They were there for him in life and now they are there for him in death. Out of love for their son and love for each other, they fulfilled his last wish and got married. Be happy for them and wish them well. My sympathies to the family in the loss of their handsome son.
9-13-2009 @ 4:17PM
:( said...Asa , I miss you, I know you are happy with your parents now.
9-13-2009 @ 4:57PM
Kayanna said...This is not "wrong" in the slightest. Apparently the person who thinks it is must not be a parent, and if they are, they can't be a good one. What parent would not want to fulfill a wish that belonged to their child. It is sad and it brought tears to my eyes. Tears of sadness that the little one grew wings so soon, but tears of joy in knowing that his hearts desire was fulfilled. He may not have been their in body, but I'm sure he was there in spirit, and smiling that beautiful smile that you see in the picture. I pray many blessings upon this family.
9-13-2009 @ 5:20PM
reservoir dog said...wow that is a touching story i usually search the web for hot chicks to hook up with but today i changed up i am proud of this family for sharing this with the world and now back my search for girls see ya
9-13-2009 @ 5:31PM
natasha said...i think that it was sweet nd loveing and at the same time marring i think it was nice and god bless yall and grad on ur marrage
9-13-2009 @ 6:05PM
Betty said...I cried as well at this but it was of tears for sadness and yet happiness for such a wonderful befitting moment for granting their childs wishes and to do it at his funeral i found nothing wrong in it at all. We are to celebrate death as well, I understand he did not go far in life and it is so sad how he left this life. Those who have faith in God know and understand where this sweet child is and he has made the way for his family to follow to someday and join him. He will never before gotten for when his parents celebrate their wedding anniversary they will also share that day with their son with love, joy and found memories. GOD BLESS this family and my heart goes out to them.
9-13-2009 @ 7:32PM
michelle said...I think that was very sweet..It was the one thing the parents can do for the son they lost. What a beautiful little boy.
9-13-2009 @ 8:01PM
tina said...I think this was BEAUTIFUL...
9-13-2009 @ 8:55PM
Rayne said...I bet your baby boy is looking down from heaven and crying in happiness to see you both wed. MANY years of joy after the incredible sadness diminishes as much as it will. Rayne.
9-13-2009 @ 8:57PM
Donna Askew said...It is not for us to judge whether it is right or wrong. It is not uncommon for one to grant one's last wish, but it is uncommon for one to have a wedding at a funeral. If not, there would be no controversy. I say, to each his own. If this brought some comfort to his parents, then so be it. Their lives will never be the same without their child. Sometimes death begats life. Now they have a new one. Bitter/Sweet
RIP sweet little boy
I pray for peace, love, and joy for his family.