January 31, 2009
Clouds were mottled, purple bruises over the Blue Ridge as we drove over Afton Mountain to reclaim the skelontinized remains of our precious daughter, Morgan Dana Harrington.
We had tried to prepare ourselves for this eventuality for three months, but the reality of it is sharp and disorienting. How could someone have erased so much of what Morgan was and reduced her to a jumbled heap of bones? What a waste, what a desecration, a gross injustice.
Who would ever have thought it would be mine to see every image of Morgan’s life – from her first faint shadows on fetal ultrasound to the gaping orbital hollows in her skull? An abomination to witness this ending.
And yet there is growing peace. We realize Morgan has been dead for some time. Perhaps even since the day of the concert, October 17, 2009. Morgan Dana Harrington has been at peace, beyond pain and suffering, knowing that brings us some peace also.
Once her body is restored to us and put to rest, we can finally begin the hard work of grieving and growing strong as a triangulated family. Bless all of you who have held us up on this journey. My Darling Morgan!
2 4 1
**
****
*
Dan, Gil, and Alex, love you.
I only wish that your strength and spirit could be multiplied and some given to each of us. I often wonder about God’s plan for us when I see things go so awry both for the world at large, for youur family and for my family. I guess we will never know until we, hopefully, end up in the arms of Jesus as Morgan is. Stay so incredibly strong, and when you are not, think of us and we will lift you up.
May all your family and friends lift you up during the difficult days ahead….
Dear Gil, Dan & Alex:
In this unspeakable tragedy, I’m offering a verse to give you comfort. It gave me great comfort during a very sad time of my life, and I hope it brings to you a measure of peace.
See! I Will Not Forget You.
I Have Carved You on the
Palm of My Hand.
(Isaiah 49:15)
Just as you knew her Gil, as the fibers of her body were being knit together before she was born and you saw her on those ultrasounds, she was also known to God. She grew in his light and now lives forever in that light. Her beautiful face is forever etched on the palm of God’s own hand, and she now rests in that loving embrace.
Because of personal experiences, I have often thought about how long a life must be to make an impact. How long must one live to have a life that “matters?” It is very clear to me that although Morgan’s life was cut tragically short, she lived a life that clearly impacted those around her and left a positive light around everyone she touched in the twenty years she was given.
Through your words, Gil, a world of people came to know Morgan Harrington, and that twenty year old girl touched a world of hearts and souls. Her life MATTERED. Her contributions to her world were GOOD. Her life inspired others to be better than they ever knew they could be, even those who never met her. She left her mark on her world, and is still doing that even now. Morgan’s life legacy is still being written. Whatever evil took her from her loving family cannot touch that impact, cannot diminish that legacy.
I pray for you to have comfort, healing and peace in this time of grieving and direction and answers in this season of searching for answers.
Blessings,
Alice
Grieving is not an easy process, just go with what emotions may come. And be sure you all share how you are feeling. This will make your family even closer than it already is. My mom passed away in 2008 and I am still grieving over her. But it was that, that made me closer to my family. Know that Morgan will always be watching over you, and that she is always there to talk to when you need her the most. Your family is and will always be in my thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.
With Love.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful girl – her considerable spirit born undoubtedly from the happiness and unconditional love of a wonderful family. Morgan is at peace and I hope that you can now find some as well.
You remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Dan Gil and Alex,
I am so sorry for your loss. No words can ever take your pain away this I know. Know this, your words have meant so much to so many. Morgan was an amazing young woman to all of us yet to you she was your precious child and I know this is a pain that no one should ever have to bear. You are very special human beings who have the ability to triumpth over this. You are people that will make a difference in honor of your special child. Morgan made a difference in our world and now she is at peace with no more pain.
I do not know why things happen as they do but I do know that in every tragedy there is a gift. The gift is the love. Dan, Gil and Alex, I believe that the outpouring of love that you have received is a reflection of the love you have given. I pray for you daily and Morgan is always on my mind. I have great admiration for all of you. You have touched my life in a way that will make a difference. Morgan will live on forever in all of our hearts.
Gil,
I want to share with you that tonight while I watched your interview with Meredith Viera my dining room light turned itself off during the interview. afterward I sat in the dark for about a minute until my light turned itself back on again.
I didn’t lose power in my home since every other light and appliance stayed on while this happened.
I felt such peace and didn’t even question what was happening until after the light came back on, I knew this was Morgan sending her love and greetings to me.
I never knew your daughter while she was alive, but the fact that she came to bring a sweet hello to me is very telling.
Morgan is just as sweet and endearing as you are xoxo
Blessings.
Dearest Harrington Family,
There are no words of wisdom that I can offer during a time like this. I was once told that the five most important words that one could say to a hurting person were – I will pray for you. So, please know that I will pray for you. I will pray for strength and comfort for you all and that you will feel beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is with you as you grieve the loss of your beloved Morgan. God bless you!
Gil, Dan & Alex,
Thank you for sharing the light that Morgan brought to your lives while she was with you. You stepped out of your privacy to let us know her somewhat, and thousands of us came to love her and need her back just as you did. Thousands of hearts are broken now and please know we are sharing your loss and your pain and wish we could shoulder more of it for you. I wish you peace and resolution in the memories you have of your sweet Morgan while the momentum builds to find her killer, as I realize the two energies will continue to be conflicting and stressful for you. There’s alot of love flowing your way and I hope you continue to drink it in.
Karen
i am so sad for your family. i do not have the words to make you feel no pain. i too have lost someone so close. the hurt, pain, anger, love, crying will one day become tolerable but will never go away. you have to make yourself heal and stay strong. i grew up listening to metallica and 25 years later i still turn to them in times of weakness. one song helped me through my suffering. i dont know why but it did. “fade to black” is the title. the lyrics will explain your feelings to those who do not understand. i will leave you with this.
Life it seems, will fade away
Drifting further every day
Getting lost within myself
Nothing matters no one else
I have lost the will to live
Simply nothing more to give
There is nothing more for me
Need the end to set me free
Things are not what they used to be
Missing one inside of me
Deathly lost, this can’t be real
Cannot stand this hell I feel
Emptiness is filing me
To the point of agony
Growing darkness taking dawn
I was me, but now He’s gone
No one but me can save myself, but its to late
Now I can’t think, think why I should even try
Yesterday seems as though it never existed
Death Greets me warm, now I will just say good-bye
i hope this helps in some way or another as it did for me. i will keep you guys in my prayers.
Dr. Harrington, Gil, and Alex -
There’s really nothing I can say that could bring any relief (I pray everyday that peace will engulf you all). But, please know we (Anne and I) are here and will be there…that’s a promise.
I know the loving relationship and fond memories ,you shared with your daughter, will give you great comfort through the next phase of this terrible tragedy..I know no frail words can ever make-up for your loss…
Your strength and dedication in finding Morgan,spoke volumes of how much she was ,and will always be ,remembered and loved.
You did that ..
Dan, Gil, & Alex,
I just want you to know you are not alone one this part of your journey, as no parent should have to make funeral arrangements for a child. This just should not be. The love the world has show your family must be a great gift to you. One never wants their child forgotten or that he or she came into this world for a purpose. Shall she always be loved and remembered as a beautiful 20 year old girl who loved her family. Love is something you never, ever loose. Six years later, so many things on a daily basis remiend me of Greg and I can now smile and hold them dear to my heart. It took time as in the beginning I would cry and be sad that I did not have a physical him to love and share make more memories. Going to the grocery story was agony as all I couls see were the foods he so loved and I no longer bought. There is no quick fix but to give back to the community who loved her so much, all in time. Please take care of yourselves, hold each other tight and never let go. Love of your family is what will get you throught, not hate.I just wanted you to know I was thinking of you as you go down another lonely road.
Sarah Hess
Parent’s Of Murdered Children, Inc
Gil,
Your words are poetic and lyrical, you really do have a gift for finding beauty and profound meaning even in your darkest hours.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. No words can do justice at this time, but know that you are not alone…Morgan’s spirit will be with you always. Find joy and happiness in her honor. Live a life that will bring a smile to Morgan’s face, illuminating the heavens with the love you still share…life is brief, love is eternal.
Peace be with you,
L
Dan, Gil and Alex,
My prayers are with you daily.
From the first moment I heard about Morgan missing, I have prayed. Everyday she was in my thoughts, when I woke up and before I went to sleep at night. My husband and I were part of the search. Morgan became more than a missing girl. Reading your blog gave us all a sense of what Morgan was like and the family who still loves her. Thank you for sharing your heart, and what has to be the most painful experience a parent ever has to go through. I continue to pray for your family each day. We do not always understand why bad things happen or why there are evil people. This earth is not heaven. One day, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
The Mass
In the funeral mass for Morgan, they will probably have the ancient chant “Lamb of God.”
AGNUS DEI
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, you who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
___________________________
Morgan was created in the Image of the Lamb.
Morgan will give us peace.
Peace of the Lord to Gil, Dan, Alex, and all the world.
Thank you,
Ed — wish I could be there for the service
Thank you for sharing yourself with so many of us – I have felt privileged to have read your poetic and intimate words. Never will I forget your beautiful daughter, nor will I forget your strength and poise during this atrocity. Although we have not met, know we are with you wherever you turn. “Those who care in Northern Va”
Morgan’s Memorial service was beautiful. May God continue to minister to your hearts. I will be praying for you all.
As the snow fell today, I could only wish to just sign the guest
book at Hotel Roanoke because I feel as if I know Morgan. This tragedy belongs to each of us. Yet, it is clear that Morgan’s life imparts a permanent meaning that is developing around her legacy. No family should ever have this burden brought on them yet I sense a steadiness in her family that not only imparts Morgan’s legacy but opens the door her family has taken to guide themselves and others through what anyone of us may someday face. With God’s help, Morgan’s life will persevere in a capacity none of us can yet imagine and that capacity will unfold
day by day. I pray for that capacity.