Reflection on dad's, NIU's loss

As the second anniversary of the loss of Catalina, Dan, Gayle, Julianna and Ryanne passes, this tragedy still seems recent with disbelief why these students and too many others elsewhere are having their lives stolen from them needlessly.

I always draw strength from reflecting on the continuous occurrences of sincere support that everyone at Northern Illinois University has provided since the first responders arrived on the scene. Everyone's contribution - displaying crosses, bringing flowers, writing heartfelt messages, acts of kindness, making handcrafted gifts, sending memorial fund donations, the football teams' unity to signal "five" at the fourth quarter, opening a Memorial Room, building a Memorial Garden, presenting posthumous degrees and so much more - to remember Catalina, Dan, Gayle, Julianna and Ryanne has truly been an incredible experience.

The timeless efforts of NIU's administration, faculty and students' during the first week and weeks following to honor the loss of our five students is awesome. Everyone's thoughtfulness and hard work organizing and facilitating the first anniversary "NIU Remembers, A Day of Reflection," with the most meaningful ceremonies and special events was spectacular.

It is a blessing to be able to celebrate the lives of Catalina, Dan, Gayle, Julianna and Ryanne on this anniversary with a wreath-laying ceremony and candlelight vigil, where the campus and community, family and friends can gather, reflect on NIU's history and on its future with new students to move "forward, together forward." We also express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the generous donation of financial gifts by thousands of people. Gifts to the Feb. 14 Fund are used to award scholarships to five Huskie students every year. Other financial gifts were donated to build a magnificent Memorial Garden that captures the grandeur of Huskie spirit and character we can visit to feel the presence of our five students whom we miss dearly.

Part of my life now is leading a grief support group with The Compassionate Friends, to comfort parents who lose a child to any cause of death, by knowing they are not alone working through their grief, disbelief, pain, emptiness and suffering. My emotions are farther apart, but always nearby. God bless NIU.

Gary Parmenter

Westchester