I am Still Here (In Memory of Dorothy Giunta-Cotter)

I am Still Here

(In Memory of Dorothy Giunta-Cotter, murdered by her husband March 26, 2002)

You’ve taken my body, but you can’t touch my soul.
You tried to eliminate me – you failed.

You took away my dreams, but my hope still lives.
You thought you killed me – you didn’t.

You see, I’m still here. I’m here in my children’s smile.
I’m here in the small ways I’ve touched others:
Friends remember me for my laughter, my tears;
Family remember me for my strengths, my weaknesses;
Passers-by remember me for a smile brought on by Victory over fear.

I’ve changed lives (in many small ways) by the gifts I brought to those more deserving than you –
Music to those who couldn’t dance;
Love to those who felt no touch;
Color to those who could not see;
Laughter to those who could but cry.

People will remember me when I’m gone. I doubt they will remember you, except as a faceless name that could do nothing but kill. What talent lies in that?

You will be forgotten.

But I am still here, in those who will stand up and fight against what you have done – in those who will remember me and not let others forget.

You tried to eliminate me. You failed.

I AM STILL HERE.