I was thinking about the VIS (victim impact statements) from yesterday and I realized why I felt so disturbed.
It's not just the sadness of the case, which is certainly very, very sad and tragic. But it's what the 2 Alexander siblings reported during their allocutions: that their lives are ruined and the entire family is ruined and has been since Travis died.
This is not what Travis would want for his family. This is far beyond grieving. This gives the evil killer so much more power and the family has gotten caught in the cycle of it. Yes I know the delay in getting this case completed only adds mightily to the pain. But the family knows, absolutely knows, Arias is going to prison for the rest of her life. She may be on death row as well, but for certain she will never be free.
There's something fundamentally unhealthy happening and I wish that family could get the kind of help they so clearly need. I know one doesn't ever just 'get over' the violent murder of a loved one and closure is a fantasy, but there has to be help available somewhere and there have to be ways of coping that can bring some modicum of peace. The PTSD, the feelings of not wanting to live anymore, the deep depressions lasting many years, the breakup of marriages, the cycle just keeps going on and on and it almost seems like it's gotten worse as time goes on. That's what struck me hearing the words of Tanisha and then Steven.
Anyway, that's what resonated with me after thinking about yesterday's court session. Somebody please, please get that family some help. Allowing Arias to destroy an entire family gives the killer so much power and for what? Can Travis' shining spirit not be felt by his family? Do they not feel enveloped in his love? Sad, terribly sad.
