By Katie Arce, MSU Student

My sister, Colleen Arce, wrote this poem on the plane ride after flying in last minute to support me after this tragedy.

“Dear Americans,

My wish for you
Is a small funeral
That only those who knew You,
know your name

I pray you are very old
With gray hairs as numerous
As the bonds you’ve carried through
A Long life

I want the celebration
of your many years
to be Sweet and sacred
Limited to the boundaries
of a peaceful sanctuary

Not a football field
Or a town square
Or the capitol
Or the streets

I imagine the memory of you sprinkled
Between teary laughs
of people you’ve intimately loved
Ones who’d recall the sound of your voice
Like the palm of their hand

I dream that every speech in your name
Is not a call to action
but a recollection
Of who you grew up to be

I hope you’re never a hero
Because your my Friend
My Classmate
My Neighbor
My Stranger
My Family, first

But somehow in America we’re
Still
Here
we’re recounting
not the life you’ve lived

But Your life lost
And one more life
Too many lives
Cut shorter

Cut -
Again
And again
And again

How many more?”