On December 9, 2018 a hateful act of violence took the life of my 25 year old daughter Emily. Her death has crushed the hearts & souls of the dozens of friends and family she left behind. As a child, Em showed a level of empathy that was mature beyond her years. She cared deeply for all living beings and sought ways to shine a light on all who crossed her path. Emily loved looking out at the ocean and connecting with the rhythmic crash of the waves meeting the shore. Emily was passionate about art; she turned this passion into her superpower. With a degree in Expressive Arts Therapy, Emily used her talents to bring joy to those who faced life's challenges. In a brilliant application of her skills, she introduced drum circles to seniors diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimers creating a connection with rhythm and harmony. Emily’s loss has unleashed waves of grief, anger, and sadness through all of the communities she impacted. Leaving so many paralyzed by the loss but with a need to move, to move the way Emily would have. As Emily’s family, we can ensure her legacy is one of lasting change by working together with others who are taking on violence as a public health epidemic that can be studied, intervened and cured. Together we can teach people to embrace compassion as a protective factor which can diffuse the disease of violence before it can spread. Emily was a ray of sunshine who lived her life as a vessel of compassion. Celebrating the millions of acts of compassion of Emily’s journey gives us the opportunity to ensure her legacy represents the life she lived. While the hole in our hearts will never go away the love for Em that oozes from it has a power to change the world...thank you for supporting us as we grieve Emily being gone from the earth and work together to turn our pain into purpose ✌🏻 💜 🦋