The End of a Chapter in My Life

The past two years of my life have been a constant struggle to try and obtain some normalcy after my sister Emily's death. I kept attempting to go on as a typical nineteen-year-old college student, but the looming presence of a trial always haunted me.

Now I can finally say that is over, and I can finally start to heal without having to worry about old wounds or feelings surrounding the murder of my little sister resurfacing. Losing Emily was a shock to my entire family, at times I want nothing more than to walk into her room and see her listening to music, or to suddenly wake up and realize these past two years have just been some terrible nightmare.

After yesterday I feel as though the nightmare is finally coming to an end, that even though Emily is no longer here I can start to move on with my life and grieve accordingly. I have finally reached the light at the end of a very long, very dark tunnel.                                            

I do not think I would have been able to function the past two years without the constant support of the community. Like most teenagers, growing up in Malibu I never really appreciated what I had. I was blind to the sense of community, and could only think of this town as a bubble that I needed to escape.

However, two years ago my views on Malibu changed. The overwhelming support of everyone, the people who were over taking care of us after Emily died, the amount of messages and others who reached out to my family overwhelmed me. To everyone who has been their for me and my family throughout this entire grueling process, to the people who showed up for the trial to offer support, who tried to make us laugh or restore normalcy in our lives; You were the ones that helped us keep our heads up high, and always re-assured us to carry on, letting us know we had your support, and I owe all of you a thank you.

I have so much gratitude for the people who have supported us. Each and everyone of you have Passed it Forward by being their for us.  I am forever grateful to all of you. The Malibu community is truly amazing and I am sure Emily is smiling down at all of us.