Remembering Paige: A Mother’s Tribute at the Butterfly Ball

We are sharing this moving speech from Clare Rice, delivered at the Butterfly Ball in memory of her daughter Paige. Clare’s words reflect the love, grief, and resilience that continue to inspire the RoadPeace community, keeping Paige’s memory alive while raising awareness of the impact of road tragedies.

Good evening everyone, and thanks for coming. Thank you to Hannah for singing so
beautifully. After this small introduction I will be saying a few words, followed by Charlie
and then Lucy from RoadPeace. Once Lucy has finished, Hannah will sing the final song
which is dedicated to Paige. We will then have a thirty minute break before DJ Rosie
Allen. In the break please grab yourself a drink, fill the jar with hearts, take photos or
just gather your thoughts.

On your table, you will each find a small butterfly box, a favour, a little gift from me.
Under your box, you will find a quote or a positive meme. Paige was such a positive
person and I feel she would always want the very best for every single person here; even
though tonight brings up so many emotions, it is still a positive evening. Tonight brings
us all together, to keep Paige’s memory alive, and raise money for a brilliant charity. Just
before I start, if anyone else wants a raffle ticket, my sister will be coming around the
room shortly.

I actually found it quite difficult to write these words, not so much that I don’t know
what to say, more that I don’t know where to start and finish. I could talk about Paige all
day long, I think we all could. When talking about Paige, it is lovely to remember all the
fun and happy times, and we will do that tonight, I am sure. But, when I talk about grief
and the loss of Paige, it’s emotional and full of sadness. If you know me, you know I
always talk from my heart, I cannot pussyfoot around what has happened; the grief, how
we feel and the effect this has had on Tyler and I, and everyone who loved Paige.
Grief is just so complex – people often say things like: “Paige wouldn’t want you sad” or
“start living for Paige”. I know it all comes from a good place but it is not as easy as that.
I do know though, that me and Ty are really just surviving, we are learning this new path
we find ourselves on, and we are doing our very best. Some days, that might just be
getting up and getting dressed, and that is ok.

There is such a massive void in our lives and I think that is how it will always feel…like
something is missing, because it is. It is an empty space in our hearts. It is so difficult
to have so much love for someone and to not be able to give it to them.

We were always a trio – Clare, Paige and Ty. How do you move forward from such a
tragedy? Every day I hear Paige’s voice, her laugh and smile, but this is all in my head
now. Each morning I have the same chatter that goes on in my mind: “this is real, and
she’s not coming back.” That is how each day starts and has done since we lost Paige.
Paige was beautiful, inside and out, she wanted a house, marriage and babies. Paige
had such ambition, even from an early age, she was a make–up artist at the age of 15.
She deserves to be here.