Voice of experience...Been there, done that

Thirty-three years ago, my amazingly awesome brother, Kevin, was a victim of a double murder/suicide from a gun. The perpetrator was the ex-boyfriend who made the decision to kill anyone he saw with his ex-girlfriend. While my brother was eating a hamburger in a restaurant, the girl asked my brother to escort her to her car because she was afraid of her ex-boyfriend. The young man took the life of my brother, his ex-girlfriend and then himself. Wrong place, wrong time. Yes. Kevin didn't even know this girl. Kevin had just turned 23 years old.

My life was changed in a matter of a minute, but not only was my life changed - like those in Florida, Colorado, Connecticut - the lives were changed for parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, acquaintances. The list goes on and on.

I am not going to pretend that I have the answers to the gun violence crippling our country. But, I do know what it's like to live every day missing a brother who was murdered.

I would love to see our country gun-free. But, that's not going to happen. We can scream and preach about guns, but, those who want them will get them. Should we eliminate the availability of AR- 15 rifles … absolutely.

We need to pay attention and listen to those around us. Mental health issues are real and not to be shunned. It's kind of ironic and yet so simple. We need to get back to basic and simple love. No more bullying, excluding, teasing, etc.

And each of us can make an impact. You don't want to remember the visitation, the funeral or the burial of a murdered loved one. You never get over the death and grief. You just learn to live with it.

Lynne Marsh

Naperville