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It has been more than three weeks since the tragic evening when our darling daughter, Becky, was killed while riding her bike. While we continue to struggle to come to terms with this loss, we have found a great deal of comfort in the overwhelming community support we've received. Our mail has been full of sympathy cards, many of them from strangers, and the online comments have poured in from around the world. There were almost 400 people at the candlelight vigil the community held in her memory, and our church was almost completely full for her funeral. I was told that the funeral procession from the church to the cemetery stretched for a mile and a half.
In some ways it is remarkable that our 9 year old was able to touch so many people in her short life. But as I reflect on her life and personality, it becomes less surprising. She was born on Valentine's Day, and seemed to embody the spirit of that holiday. She was an exceptionally outgoing child, always ready with a smile or a hug. It didn't matter if she had known you for years, or had just met you...it was always clear that she was happy to see you. Her love of people was completely honest, without any guile, and it seems that everyone loved her for it.
It is this aspect of her personality that has become her legacy. At the candlelight vigil, my wife began asking the students from Becky's school to remember Becky by hugging someone each day at school this year. Someone overheard her, and printed up stickers with her picture that read "Becky's love lives in Me!!! Live her love by sharing Becky's Hugs!!!" and handing them out to people during the visitation hours at the funeral chapel and at the church during the funeral. Someone lamented that it was a shame there wasn't time to have buttons made. After the funeral, we actually ordered buttons, and have been handing them out to people who knew Becky, or have been touched by her story. We have been asking people to keep her memory alive by sharing hugs in her name. It is our hope that such expressions of compassion and care will help to make the world a happy and friendlier place, one hug at a time. And we don't think that would be a bad legacy for 9 year old to leave behind.
Here's a news video about Becky from one of the local TV stations: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Parents_of_9_Yr__Old_Killed_in_Bicycle_Accident_Speaks_Out_for_First_Time_Washington_DC.html (Based on feedback I've received, this video may be blocked outside the US.)
In some ways it is remarkable that our 9 year old was able to touch so many people in her short life. But as I reflect on her life and personality, it becomes less surprising. She was born on Valentine's Day, and seemed to embody the spirit of that holiday. She was an exceptionally outgoing child, always ready with a smile or a hug. It didn't matter if she had known you for years, or had just met you...it was always clear that she was happy to see you. Her love of people was completely honest, without any guile, and it seems that everyone loved her for it.
It is this aspect of her personality that has become her legacy. At the candlelight vigil, my wife began asking the students from Becky's school to remember Becky by hugging someone each day at school this year. Someone overheard her, and printed up stickers with her picture that read "Becky's love lives in Me!!! Live her love by sharing Becky's Hugs!!!" and handing them out to people during the visitation hours at the funeral chapel and at the church during the funeral. Someone lamented that it was a shame there wasn't time to have buttons made. After the funeral, we actually ordered buttons, and have been handing them out to people who knew Becky, or have been touched by her story. We have been asking people to keep her memory alive by sharing hugs in her name. It is our hope that such expressions of compassion and care will help to make the world a happy and friendlier place, one hug at a time. And we don't think that would be a bad legacy for 9 year old to leave behind.
Here's a news video about Becky from one of the local TV stations: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Parents_of_9_Yr__Old_Killed_in_Bicycle_Accident_Speaks_Out_for_First_Time_Washington_DC.html (Based on feedback I've received, this video may be blocked outside the US.)
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(no subject)
Date: 2010-09-22 03:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-09-22 09:58 pm (UTC)*HUGS*
(no subject)
Date: 2010-09-23 09:55 am (UTC)Also ditto what Pete and Yoko said.