TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Forever 17. This is how an east Toledo family is remembering their loved one after a tragic accident.

“She wanted to be 18 so bad,” said Kim Bright, Olivia Bright’s mother.

Olivia would have celebrated her 18th birthday on Friday, but her life was cut short in August. Instead of celebrating his future, his family had to celebrate his heritage.

They should have lit birthday candles, but Olivia’s family began putting up memorial candles to mark what would have been the teenager’s first year as an adult.

“I wasn’t ready. I’ll never be ready,” Kim said.

Kim was babysitting her grandchildren in August when she received a call no parent wants to receive. Her daughter Olivia had died and first responders thought she had been electrocuted in a trailer outside her home.

Kim no longer lives in her old blue house east of Toledo. The memory of what happened is still too painful.

“To have more sanity, I had to move,” Kim said.

The family believes Olivia was not taking her blood pressure medication, which led to her death.

As dusk fell Friday evening, Olivia’s family and friends returned not to remember how she died, but to honor her life.

His family remembers the good times and the hard times. They said that no matter what happens, the family bond lasts forever.

No parent should have to bury their children, especially without warning. Olivia’s family said you don’t know what can happen, so just cherish your loved ones and keep that bond strong.

“No matter what, just protect your children,” Kim said.

Even though Olivia can’t attend her birthday, her family is making sure September 15th is marked in her calendar for years to come.

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