Always in our Hearts

Yesterday was National Day of Remembrance.  My mom, sister and I met up with the Trillo family to remember David Trillo. David was a father, a son, a brother and a dear friend to many who walked across his path. Unfortunately his life was taken far too soon a little over a year ago on July 9, 2011. Even though time has passed, I can still see the pain in his families eyes. I agree with what one of the speakers said last night-"there will never be closure". There can never be closure when a loved one of yours is violently and carelessly taken away from you.

                                                                      News Story: Here


Yesterday evening as we were driving to meet the Trillos for the memorial, I was feeling exhausted and stressed with work and just everyday life.  However, once I got there and saw the Trillo's and my stress and worries immediately lifted off my shoulders and I felt lighter. However, my heart was heavy because I could still see the pain in Davids families' eyes.  I saw his brother, Bobby get interviewed and relive the moment when he last talked to his brother. I saw painful tears stream down his face and my mom held his mother while she sobbed after looking at David's picture on the slideshow of all the people who had been murdered.  During a prayer I heard what I thought was a woman crying behind me. Literally sobbing into her hands. Only to turn around when my sister offered tissues to see that it was a little boy probably around 8 or 9 years old.

 You think you have it hard until you get a big slap of reality in the face. I am lucky that no one in my family has been taken away from me either by accident, natural causes, cancer, murder etc.  Hearing Davids mom talk about how at any moment, any time of day she can just think of a memory of her son and break down and cry just reminded me of how precious life is.  Every day we have to walk this earth and be with our loved ones is truly a treasure that we can often take for granted.  I have so many memorable memories with David and I know everyone in his family does as well.  This evening was dedicated to celebrating those good times and help Davids memory live on through our memories, hearts and voices.

Bobby Trillo, Alexandria Trillo, Violet Trillo, My sister, my mom and I at memorial. 

It is a strange feeling to know someone who has died who is close to the same age as us. I often feel like our youth makes us feel untouchable. Nothing can stop us from the life we are living but it is certainly not true. I have held hands with friends and cried at funerals that I feel should not have happened yet.   We have all questioned what we could have done differently,we question how we can live our life differently for the memory of the ones we have lost.

No one can ever take those precious memories away that we all have of David.  My heart will always go out to the Trillo family and anyones family who has ever had to go through such heart ache and pain.  Thank you to Bobby, Violet and Alexandria for letting us share in your dedication and tribute to David last night. We are always here for you.