In Memoriam - Anastasia DeSousa
A year ago today, a senseless shooting at Dawson College, in Montreal Quebec unfolded. A few students were injured. One student died. On September 19th last year I posted a short poem to the family and friends of Anastasia on another site I work on.
Anastasia's father posted the only comment, which to this day I still read from time to time, and reflect on my own kids lives as they quickly grow towards college days. This morning I spent a few minutes and reflected on the past year, what has happened since and where we are going from here. I think it is worth reposting the poem here, where I spend more of my time these days.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
(Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!)
(Mary Frye, circa 1932)
While I work, I am lucky enough to be able to listen to music of my choosing. One song in particular reminds me of September 13 2007, and Anastasia and her father. Thought it worth posting the song here too, but I would probably get sued by the music industry. "Five for Fighting" is the band, "100 years" is the song from the album "The Battle For Everything". There is a clip of the song under Music on the Five for Fighting website if you haven't heard the song before.
It would be nice to say as a society as a whole we have learnt something from Anastasia's untimely passing, but I fear not. Another student who survived the shooting a year ago has set out to try and do something about the future. His site Kill Thinking is an interesting read (and watch), and left me asking questions, which is good.