The Sandy Hook elementary shooting was one of the most tragic and horrific incidents the nation has ever seen. Innocent lives were lost–and even more tragically most of the victims were little children. One of the kids who was killed in the massacre was 6-year-old Ana Grace Marquez-Greene. The niece of a Puerto Rican mayor, she's being remembered as a lively and generous spirit who was always ready to be selfless and giving. Now her family is asking for the public to live life the way their daughter did: Her loving nature has inspired her parents to encourage the public to commit selfless acts of kindness in memory of Ana.
Ana took after her father saxophonist, Jimmy Greene, and loved to sing and dance. She was also and thoughtful, lively, and enjoyed reading the bible, family has said. Her parents recall that every arts and craft project she would do, she made it with love. She would consider who she would be giving it to while she made them their gift. She even liked leaving random notes that read "I love you mom and dad" underneath her parents pillows–just because.
Words can't describe how sad it was to read about the wonderful person Ana was before that horrific day. She seemed like such an amazing, happy child just like any other, and her life was taken away before she could reach her musical potential.
Now they say the house is quieter without her presence which used to be filled with her singing and dancing. Even more evidence of her sweet nature was the fact that her mother said that Ana would never allow her to kiss her because she always wanted to do the kissing.
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Although most families would ask for donations for funeral arrangements, the Marquez family is asking that we all commit a random act of kindness like Ana used to do in life. "Maybe, in some way, through love, similar senseless acts of violence could be prevented," they said. The family is also planning on making a scholarship in little Ana's name at Western Connecticut State University in their Department of Music.
I can't fathom what it must be like to lose a child, but Ana's family is doing an amazing job encouraging others to pay it forward. And I can't agree with them more– a simple act of kindness can make a world of a difference. We should all go out today and do just that, not only would we be fighting evil with kindness, but helping others in the process.
Image via Family Handout
