How Did We Get Here?

That's me in early September 2024 addressing a crowd of vigil goers after the death of a beautiful 13-year-old, 8th grader who unalived herself after a school year and summer of relentless bullying. Our city was and is distraught. Keene, NH is a wonderful, supportive, active community, how does a city like this experience such a tragedy? That doesn't happen here...this shouldn't happen anywhere.

The family wants justice, her classmates want one more visit, one more conversation, and the community wants and is demanding support. Everything I kept seeing on social media told me one thing, people want to come together on this. They want to cry, grieve, talk, plan, and connect. They want to activate and see change. They want someone to lead and want to be told this will never happen again so that's what we did. A group of moms/peacemakers/business owners came together in a week and planned a vigil to help bring community together. We made cards and signs, gave away bracelets as reminders to be kind, and yard signs and banners that said "Be Kind. Save Lives." (Those were generously donated by Beez Tees, in downtown Keene.) We handed out candles, we hugged, and we talked. 

I'm sharing this story because it ignited what the Sunshine Network hopes to do for years to come. Be the change you want to see in the world. We didn't wait for someone else to organize a vigil and gather this grieving community we stood up and did it ourselves. That is what it's going to take to make this world a better and brighter place. 

Have you ever taken bold, brave action? Are you ready to become a sunbeam and help us be the changemakers wherever you live?