|
Written by Heather Kirchhefer (November, 2006)
|
|
Friday, 03 November 2006 15:25 |
Advertisement
The local daily paper reported: “Woman Courted Killing,” “Police said Monday they believe Mace tried to get officers to shoot and kill her—and succeeded,” “Police believe that she attempted and succeeded at what’s commonly known as ‘suicide by cop,’” “Mace had medical, personal, and financial reasons that led to her depression, and that they believed that she was seeking to be killed,” “Woman shot by police had faced bankruptcy.”
And the “stories” continued to be printed. What sensationalism! Was any of it true? Did the paper sell a record number during this ordeal? What is the character of a person that chooses a career in the newspaper world and writes such words? Perhaps a person lacking a soul or the ability to empathize. Do these writers have perfect lives, lack problems, and have incredibly well-adjusted family lives? Are they human? I knew Marsha Lynn Mace since I was a child … she was human. She was a daughter, sister, friend, mother, girlfriend, cousin, intimate partner, worker, and she was a fallible human being with feelings. I can’t even imagine what Marsha was feeling that day. Perhaps loneliness, great sadness, much pain, fear, anger and desperation.
The local paper failed to stop to think about the impact their words would have on the surviving people that Marsha touched so deeply and positively. Perhaps we all need to be a little more thoughtful about what we say and do while we are alive. Nobody I have ever met has been perfect. If you were to leave this earth, would you want the local paper writing about what they felt were your shortcomings? The people that knew and loved Marsha would appreciate it if “the stories” did NOT continue!
As a human, have love in your heart and forgiveness for all people. I will miss Marsha and her tremendous spirit! Please allow her some respect and final dignity.
-Dedicated to Marsha’s son, Lukas Shayne Mace, from his friend and “Auntie” Heather Kirchhefer—Much Love
|
Opinion 
