Brief Hiatus

Update: After three exhausting days, the case came to its final conclusion this afternoon at 2 pm with a sentence of capital life. That's essentially life without parole (and no appeals, whatsoever).

We knew that part of this process would involve meeting the other families who lost their loved ones in this horrific crime. In addition to viewing their beautiful videos and family pictures, we listened (and cried along with them) during their emotionally-wrought victim impact statements. We spent quite a bit of time with all of these folks (both in and outside of the courtroom) and Rod and I both felt an enormous amount of kindness and compassion from everyone involved, including the attorneys and support staff in the Commonwealth Attorney's office. They're are all wonderful, wonderful people and I am only sorry that we had to all meet under such terrible circumstances.

Once again, I'd like to thank each and every one of you who have left comments here on this site or notes via email or regular mail. We appreciate all the love and concern you've shown our family during the past 3 1/2 years. We truly don't know how we could have managed without the love and support of our family and friends.




For those of you who've been following this blog (or my first one) for the past few years, you're probably well aware that our daughter was killed back in 2005. It's hard to believe it's been over three years... In any event, the case is finally going to trial. Or, rather, a sentencing hearing. So we're off to Virginia Beach. I should be back online next weekend. Good thoughts are appreciated, as there's just no way this is going to be a good trip.

Times Like These
Jack Johnson

in times like these
in times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes
and it always goes on and on...
and on and on it goes

and there's always been laughing, crying, birth, and dying
boys and girls with hearts that take and give and break
and heal and grow and recreate and raise and nurture
but then hurt from time to times like these
and times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes

and there will always be stop and go and fast and slow
action, reaction, sticks and stones and broken bones
those for peace and those for war
and god bless these ones not those ones
but these ones made times like these
and times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes
and it always goes on and on...
and on and on it goes

but somehow i know it won't be the same
somehow i know it'll never be the same

(Go here to listen)

Brief Hiatus

I'm heading out to San Diego for a few days. My brother is scheduled for brain surgery on Tuesday. Last November, he was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma. We've been told this is a fairly common tumor, many times never even detected. His was discovered after some testing for a hearing problem. No matter what the doctors say, this is brain surgery and I plan to be there for Mark and my sister-in-law and their children. Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.

Summer, 2005

It was nice growing up with someone like you
- someone to lean on,
someone to count on...
someone to tell on!
~Author Unknown

To the outside world we all grow old.

But not to brothers and sisters.
We know each other as we always were.
We know each other's hearts.
We share private family jokes.
We remember family feuds and secrets,
family griefs and joys.
We live outside the touch of time.
~Carla Ortega

Help your brother's boat across,
and your own will reach the shore.
~Hindu Proverb

If you want to know
how your girl will treat you after marriage,
just listen to her talking to her little brother.
~Sam Levenson