In December 2018, my beautiful, kind and loving niece Emily was senselessly murdered by someone she’d met a few weeks prior, on a dating site. He should not have had a gun or been in the community. This was not his first crime.
I can’t find the words (because there are none) that could possibly describe how heartbroken I am. There’s a part of me that doesn’t know what to write because I don’t want to have to acknowledge that it’s actually real — that she is no longer with us. Another part can’t stop thinking about how much regret I have for not making more time for her when, now, it’s simply not possible…. I’ll forever regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.
One thing I won’t ever have regrets about is how hard we have worked and fought as a family to honor and demand justice for Emily. Something has to change, and we won’t stop until it does.
“Love your family. Spend time, be kind and serve one another. Make no room for regrets. Tomorrow is not promised, and today is short.”
I love and miss you more than words can tell, Ems.