Remembering family and friends - a mother's request

Dear family and friends,

In just a short while our president will proceed with the war against Iraq which he has already declared imminent. As I awoke this morning and watched the news all I could do was cry! I felt the pain of Alicia's death all over again as I watched the faces of those small children, and their families packing up as much as they could carry, so they can run from a war in which they have no place to hide. I feel sick to my stomach as I think about the pain and suffering they will endure, which will be 100 times worse than September 11, 2001. We all know the personal pain and suffering because extremists decided they would no longer tolerate the oppression they felt from our country's government. They killed Alicia and other loved ones that were living their lives, doing their jobs, loving their friends and families, and planning futures that would never be. The only difference is that our loved ones weren't given the opportunity to run away and try to save their lives.

I know that Alicia's heart is breaking as she watches this horrendous event unfold. I also know that she and other loved ones that were killed September 11, 2001 would be proud of our efforts thus far, doing all that we can to prevent the same thing from happening to other innocent people. Families are being torn apart and murdered because of somebody else's choice, somebody else's decisions about how they should live their lives. These people that will suffer are families and friends doing the best they can to live in a world contaminated with hate, violence, mistrust and no respect or appreciation for human life. The fabric of our existence is being shredded into pieces that can only be put back together with a nurturing love, a tender heart, the light of truth, new understanding, acts of human kindness, and an appreciation and respect for the individual; the unique pieces of fabric that create our universe and keep us alive.

May our pain and suffering serve as a reminder to live our lives with love and understanding. And let us always remember Alicia in all her GLORY, her smile, her laughter, her hugs, her respect for all human beings, and her open arms...as we remember all of those who were killed September 11, 2001. Let our love be our guiding force as we live our lives, creating a future in which we feel peace for the sake of our children and their children, and their children's children.

May we all feel love and peace

Always, Always
Bev Titus