Our loved ones should not be a statistic

The most poignant moment for me was to look around the room. I had friends there, some who are family. There is a bond we share because we have lost loved ones, some very recently. It was hard to sit there and remember the events of this New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and listen to statistics.

I watched someone silently exit. This is someone I know has had a close and personal loss. Someone I have not always agreed with, and when I saw her, I wanted to say, I understand your frustration. Maybe that day will come.

I do not want Fr. Eric's death to be forgotten anymore than the loss of others who still grieve. I do not want their deaths to be in vain. They are not statistics.

This forum was educational but the healing we seek as a community is to be listened to without excuses being offered and to see some action being taken that make us feel safe in our homes and on our streets again.