Forgiveness

          In this story Renee, mother of Megan, places an important part. Megan and her friend Lisa where both killed one night in a car accident when Eric Smallridge crashed into their car, while found guilty of two counts of DUI manslaughter. He was sentenced 22 years for this crime, which sounded right to Renee Napier, Meagan’s mom. But a few years later, a women came forward and asked the judge to reduce Eric’s sentence by half. She claimed Eric was truly sorry for his actions and deserved leniency. The judge obliged – partly because of what she said, but mostly because who she was. "I could hate him forever and the world would tell me that I have a right to do that," Renee says. "It's not going to do me any good, and it's not going to do him any good. I would grow old and bitter and angry and hateful. ... In my opinion, forgiveness is the only way to heal." She says it did heal her -- almost as much as it healed him. "It was like a burden," he says. "It was a weight off my chest. I no longer had to hide behind this facade." While still in custody, Eric agreed to speak at high schools with Renee, telling kids, as only they can, the consequences of drinking and driving. They both plan to continue doing this even after Eric's release.