CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- A month after she passed away from injuries sustained in a freak crash, hundreds of people came out in Castle Rock to celebrate the life of Rylie Guentensberger.
"There's been a lot of sadness and I’m sure there will be more to come but today is pure gratitude and joy," Rylie's aunt told Denver7.
There were bubbles, chalk art, sports and more. Things that Guentensberger loved.
"Everything we did today or have out today is a touch of Rylie," event organizer and family friend Kirsten Ferguson said.
Signs read "Be Happy" and #RylieStrong, preaching the positive outlook that the little girl was all about.
"She was the most positive person and she was all about silver linings," her aunt added.
The silver lining to this story is tougher to find. The 7th grade girl was critically injured after a car tore through RNK Running and Walking store in Parker in April. She passed away in May.
"We don’t want people to be sad she’s gone, we want people to remember the positive impact she had on each and every one of our lives, and I think that's the most important part," one of her friends said.
Part of the celebration included how to keep her memory alive in tangible ways.
Donations were accepted instead of flowers to the local animal shelter (The Buddy Center), the pediatric intensive care unit at the hospital she was treated, and books for the soon-to-come "Rylie's Free Little Library."
"Through the way that we're asking everyone to pay it forward and move on and live like Rylie is the best way," Ferguson said.
The most emotional part of the evening came during an open mic segment, started off by Guentensberger's father.
"She’s touched a lot of lives and its made us stronger," he said.
That was followed by two of her friends playing a song they wrote for her on ukuleles.
To get involved through donations, head over to this Facebook page for more information or go to the Dawg Nation Hockey website.
