To the editor:
Writing to the editor is something I usually don’t do: however, I feel I need to after the incident that took place over the last week. A person(s) has stolen the 5-foot tall pink memorial cross that was put up by my family in the place that my daughter Marissa passed away on Rt. 161 in New Sweden on Feb 15, 2008. The cross stood tall all winter long, a few weeks ago my brother was out there cleaning up around it and it was still in the ground solid, not wobbly or falling over. I’m baffled, and quite upset that someone would go to this extent and steal a memorial tribute for a little girl who in her death many people have come to know and love over the last year. The cross was not small, lightweight or something that would have blown away. When we put the cross up we got permission from the landowner to make sure that it was OK, and he was more than willing to let us put it on his property. So not only is it theft, but it’s trespassing, not to mention ignorance. My father built the cross in memory of his special granddaughter, our sweet Marissa. It was over 5 feet tall; we painted it pink, decorated with butterflies and Marissa’s name. My father and Marissa’s young cousin Dylan erected the cross over a year ago.
The cross was more than just two pieces of wood and some paint. It was something sacred. The cross marked where this horrible, senseless tragedy took place, the place where Marissa’s short promising life was ended. The cross was a symbol that was special to many, many people. I have had so many people make comments about how nice the cross is and how on occasion they have stopped and looked out over the pasture only to have a sense of peace come over them. Others have told me how much it makes them think about their lives, most people say that they drive by and say a prayer for our family, others say it makes them think about what they have in their lives and not to take their children for granted and how in an instant peoples’ lives can be forever changed.
For myself, it was a place for me to go, a place where I know she spent her last minutes on this earth — a place to reflect and to feel close to her. I can’t express the pain of the loss of my beautiful little Angel girl. Many people were outraged, me included, to find out it had been stolen along with other personal family items that were at the site. To steal a little girl’s Memorial Cross is beyond disbelief. Even if the person(s) that took the cross does not like me that’s one thing, but that cross was not about me, it was about Marissa. It was a memorial to her, taking away her cross is just so disgraceful.
I really hope that the person(s) who stole it know how many people they have just affected. I’m trying to not let this eat at me because Marissa knows who took her pretty pink tribute, and that person(s) will be held responsible someday. I’m sure we won’t get the cross back therefore; my Dad is already building a new one and has received permission once again from the landowner Marissa’s cross will be back up for everyone to see.
I’ve written this editorial because I cannot believe that there are people out there who would find a thrill in stealing a Memorial Tribute. To me it’s like people are trying to steal her memory. Why would someone take this? What would someone want with a pink 5-foot tall cross?
If anything, maybe some good will come out of this. Teach your children about stealing and about how disrespectful it is to mess with someone else’s property and even worse a memorial. It’s evident that who did this didn’t have very good parental roles models growing up and was not taught these life lessons, and feels it’s OK to steal. If you took it or know who did and you didn’t have them return it shame on you also, you are no better.
We cannot blame people for their own ignorance, they just do not know any better. However, we can question one’s act. This act has hurt many people, and only a cold heartless person with no morals or respect, could take a sacred memorial away from so many. The cross can be replaced, my daughter can’t, but her memory will be kept alive forever. Thank you all who have come forward with much support this past week and the past year. Marissa, will never be forgotten.
Caribou
