Thank you everyone. It was quite an experience being on that show. The hardest part for me was going through all the photos they asked me to send (they just showed a fraction--I'll repost the link to the photobucket album where you can see all the photos of my beautiful sister Cindy).
I was pleased with it (but boy I barely let Ricki get a word in edgewise..I talk when I'm nervous). I only wish they'd let me get a statement in they'd kind of talked to me about before the show when asking me if there was anything I'd like to say in particular...the producer thought I'd have a chance to say it on the last segment on the couch w/ everyone but there wasn't time. It was ok as Susan Markowitz really needed to share her story and about her book...her case is truly heartbreaking, so many trials, her young son...sigh (very nice woman as were the Gentrys and I met all those sweet boys, talk about heartbreaking).
Anyway what I had wanted to say was something like this:
You can have the absolute worst thing you could ever imagine happen in your life and you still get to have your own destiny. You don't have to give up your entire life to this tragedy...you can be affected by it but you can still find your own destiny and still deserve an amazing life in spite of this happening.
I do feel that to be true for me and I think that's the best "tribute" I can give to my sister and also my mother who we lost as children. The finding, pursuing, being open to an amazing life that I still can have. And for me that includes helping others in service sometimes like this case. As I texted with Steven tonite, it has been my blessing and privilege to sit with the Alexanders in solidarity and feel this connection with them in justice. It has made me a stronger person in a lot of ways, some known, some unknown.
Anyway, in case anyone's interested, here is a link to my Victim Impact statement which I know the Alexanders read as they prepared for theirs. I feel good about it as it DID have a real impact in keeping a murderer in prison for life. So....I'm glad to share it.
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/07/retarded_german_killer_rudi_ap.php
THANK YOU for posting the youtube videos guys. xoxo
This is the Photobucket album with all the photos I sent the show to use--from the last photo taken when we were together as a family to baby pics:
http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/creamnsugarbath/library/Cindy Photos - Ricki Lake?sort=3&page=1
