And when Ed got home from Fresno, he wrote:

If there is any positive side of any part of this whole senseless act, it is that I am reminded how absolute and encompassing is the love of my wife and friends.

There are times when a person is all of a sudden at a precipice in his life, and it just has to add up that it is worth going on. In my case, even though this is the greatest loss and hurt that I can imagine, it isn't even a close call.

What a great support system I am able to lean on. The outpouring of love and sentiment that has been extended me in this past week is more awesome than any act of violence could be. I love you and I can tell you that your love and support has come into play constantly.

It seems too little to simply say Thank You.

TUESDAY JULY 15 MEMORIAL SERVICE

We will be having a Memorial Service on Annie's 21st birthday (7-15-97) from 2:00 to 2:15 PM Pacific time. 4:00 to 4:15 PM central time and 5 to 5:15 on the east coast. It will be held wherever you are at that time. There will be a moment of silence at the quarter hour. Her smile - her spirit - her very loving way will be the things that I will be celebrating at that hour (and as long as I live). I choose to remember her light and give thanks for the nearly twenty-one years that she was calling me DAD.

THE WRITTEN WORD

Three good stories have already been written about Annie in this past week that have helped me to keep my direction. They have reinforced my view of the way Annie affected other people. Two other friends have offered to contribute pieces, and of course I hope they will. I intend to write this week about the love that was heaped on me by people who had never seen me before when I was in California this past week. I will get all of this on the computer as soon as I can and I am looking for suggestions on how to present it and where I can best put it.

Annie was about light and love and not at all about hatred. Her spirit has guided me away from that path, even though it was an easy one to go down. I am trying to follow the more difficult path that leads me higher and would make her proud of my actions. I am still trying to focus and find a way to best work in her memory. I will keep in touch.

I Love You,

Ed