Growing up, I rarely had good friends. I was the girl everyone made fun of. I remember in elementary school, being insulin dependent, and having kids say, "Don't sit next to her, she has a disease." I was so introverted by the time I hit my teens that I truly did not know who I was anymore. I had a friend in high school though, one that I opened up to, to the best of my ability. Her name was Susanna. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. She dreamed of marrying her prince one day, and having a beautiful marriage. And she did. It was around the time she met Andy that she and I parted ways, but I was happy that she was happy. Andy filled her with joy, and I was glad for that, from afar. Over the past couple years, we got back in touch. No three hour phone calls like in high school, but an occasional e-mail, or comment on MySpace, but I am thankful for it. I am thankful for her. She and Andy were missionaries to the people of Myanmar and Thailand. They have a 4 year-old son, Samuel, a one-year-old daughter, Sasha, and a 5-month-old daughter, Sylvia. After working in the mission field, they returned to our hometown to raise their growing family. They recently bought a house and Andy decided to go into law enforcement. I know Susanna was proud of him. Last Friday, Andy was shot and killed when answering a domestic call. He never drew his weapon. The man who shot Andy was also killed. Truly, honestly, my heart has broken for her. She had what she had always dreamed of having in a husband. She had that stolen away from her, unjustly, unfairly, and far too soon in their marriage. If I could have one single wish in this world, I wish I could take this pain for her. I know she is crushed, and I truly hate it. We might not be close like we once were, but I truly have been torn up by this since Friday. I hate that this has happened to her and to her three beautiful children. I am posting links at the bottom of this blog so you guys can read about her and what an amazing man Andy was. If you feel so led, they do have a memorial fund started for her and for her kids, and I know that they would be blessed by any gifts given. I myself have sent some funds, and am trying to get a fundraiser put together locally. Most of all though, please, please pray for Susanna and her three babies, as well as Andy's family. Only God can bring peace in times like this, and I know that He will. The blessing in all of this is that Andy was a devoted Christian, and that he is truly more alive now than he ever has been.


http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/NEWS01/307220001/1075&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/jul/20/family-slain-fort-myers-officer-makes-statement/

Donations can also be made to "Herocare, Inc., c/o the Widman Family" and mailed to 8695 College Parkway, Suite 2060 in Fort Myers, FL 33919. You can also make donations online via Herocare's website - and click on the "donate now" button.

Here is a link with many donation opportunities:
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=20525&z=3