Maybe Gone But Never Forgotten

Friends and Relatives release balloons to honor Morgan Malloy

Oskaloosa, Iowa – With balloons in hand and smiles on their faces, a group of more than 35 people gathered in Forest Cemetery at the spot where Morgan Malloy was laid to rest.

Life for those left behind has continued since her tragic death back on January 10, 2008, but her memory and the impact she had, during her short life, on those around her carries on. The bench in her memory at the Elementary School and a dinner served to help benefit the family after her passing are examples of the love that people have for her.

Morgan’s mother Mica Malloy-Cavin said they release balloons every year around Morgan’s birthday. This year they released the balloons a day early, so that more people could make it out for the gathering.

I was curious as to what inspired Mica to do this for her daughters birthday. “At first you don’t know what to do for her birthday. Another lady, she had done it for her child.” Mica said. So they decided to go ahead with the plans, “and we hand tons of people”.

Friends and family attach notes to the balloons, with many of them having butterflies or looking like butterflies. Morgan’s birthday is the 29th of August. She would have been a teenager this year and is greatly missed.

Mica says that support has been “really good, I have tons friends, people and family, it’s not been easy, but at least I have company around me.” she went on to talk about her new neighborhood where there are many kids that were Morgan’s age. “The kids are always coming up to me, talking to me about Morgan, it’s kind of neat.”

“It helps me to know that people remember her.” Mica stated about all the support that was around her today to remember her daughter, she maybe gone, but she’s never forgotten.