Local vigil held for victim of Connecticut shooting
Posted at: 12/17/2012 9:51 PM
| Updated at: 12/17/2012 10:13 PM
By: Maria Guererro, KOB Eyewitness News 4
It was a painful night for people in Rio Rancho.
A few hundred gathered at a local park to honor one of the victims of the Connecticut shooting who used to live in New Mexico.
Emilie Parker is being remembered as a ray of light, an artist and a beautiful soul who cared about everyone.
Monday night, Rio Rancho showed how much they cared for her.
"Your tears are heartbreaking and sadden with pain but today Jesus called me by my birth-given name. He held me with love and walked me home,” read Jason Rodarte.
Rodarte didn’t know Emilie Parker when she and her family lived in Rio Rancho last year. But his little girl is the same age, so he’s joining the community in honoring Emily with what he calls “A Letter from Heaven.”
"I asked Jesus why can't I stay. He told me there's a purpose in all of his works. And God is so good I won't feel the hurt," wrote Rodarte.
Although she and her family only spent a year in Rio Rancho, the bubbly six-year-old left an imprint in many hearts; Hearts which are now broken and united in solace.
“Everyone wants to help and wants to do anything but we just feel so helpless because there are so few options. This will give them the opportunity to do that for them," said Elizabeth Jones, who is Emilie’s mother’s best friend.
As night fell on Cabazon Park, friends, teachers, classmates, even perfect strangers huddled together.
They honored the girl who could light up a room with her angelic face.
"It really touches you hard especially when you have kids the exact same age. And when you sit behind them in Sunday pew and know them and get to know them as people," said Amanda Mirabel who taught Emilie Sunday school class.
“She was nice and she laughed and smiled all the time," said Karra Adamson who was Emilie’s classmate at Maggie Cordova Elementary School in 2011.
It’s that bright smile many at the park believe is now looking down from above.
"Mommy and daddy I can hear your prayers. I love you so much. And someday you'll be here," Rodarte’s poem goes on to say.
The six-year-old will be laid to rest in Ogden, Utah where she lived before moving to Rio Rancho.
The funeral is set for Saturday.
Emilie Parker Fund Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EmilieParkerFund
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