When asked how I knew Emily, I reply, "By Heart." Emily
is someone I have never met, but by heart, I do know. When I least expected it, Emily's spirit floated down on me, promising
to always be near. Never did I want to shake her off, but sometimes, because of the horrible ending to her life, I did want
to push her aside...Like now, Liked tonight!
How can I possibly tell you how I feel? How can I be
happy, when inside I am also so sad, and angry, and confused?
You see, I think about Emily, Cricket, or Marmi, whichever
each of you knew her by, you can't help think about all of her. Her life and her death. And that is something I don't
really care to think about.....but we have to and we need to remember it all.
I close my eyes to see Emily. At once, she is both
an innocent waif and a mischevious child. Emily is in color...mostly green. She is cooking, eating, doodling, daydreaming,
or throwing a teenaged temper tantrum, which is quite remarkable to watch. I feel her frustration when she is bored, and her
irritation at not understanding why getting her life together isn't happening fast enough. There is a patter in my ear as
she dances around in excitement and I see a secret in her eyes, a smile on her lips, letters being written, and pictures being
drawn.
Then there are the black and white photo memories.
Emily's forced death remains mysterious and her killer
elusive. Together, we must remember her life and push harder when we don't feel like it...and in my case, write when the images
are too painfull. Emily is still here with us...all around us, and she needs one last thing; she needs us to hand color the
black and white photos.
Emily, you have become my daughter, my niece, my cousin,
and my friend. That means that everyone here tonight who loves and honors you...who celebrate your life...is now part
of my family. So, hello family, it is great to meet all of you.
I have one last thing to say....because of us here
tonight and also because of all of us that are not here, but are here in heart....Emily now smiles.
God Bless Emily & Her Family
Teraisa Rogers
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