you were a child. and we failed you.
our children are the future, and we couldn’t even give you a future.
it has been 16 days since you died, one for each year of your life, and nothing has been done. This is a horrible injustice, but the worst injustice of all, is the loss of your life.
I am so sorry, and I pray that God has embraced you in his loving arms, and assured you that you were made in his perfect, holy, image.
I am so sorry for what happened, and what didn’t happen.
I did not know you. I did not know your name, or what you were like. I did not know your favorite food, or television show, or book. I did not know if you liked coffee, or if you sat strangely in chairs. I did not know if you had ever been to a Dennys, or if your dinners were always homemade. I did not know your name until February 8th, 2024. I did not know you, and now I never will. But I do understand.
I understand what it is like to be hated. I understand what it is like to be told you are worthless. I know what it is like to have nothing done about an injustice.
and I know what it is like to feel scared.
I am so sorry. I cried for you last night. I cried for the beautiful person you were, and the beautiful adult you will never be.
I hope you are in heaven, or whatever afterlife you believed in. I hope that you are respected and loved, for eternity and beyond.
I am so sorry. You didn’t deserve this. It was not your fault.
I am praying for you. I am praying for your family, and your friend. I am praying that justice is served.
most of all, I am praying that you are finally safe.
I cried for you last night. I think about you a lot. 16 days, 16 years, an entire lifetime.
I hope you forgive those girls, though they don’t deserve it. Even if you don’t, you are still better than they ever will be.
I don’t know you. I never will get to. I think, in a different universe, at a different time and place, I would have been your friend.
I am so sorry.
I hope you are safe.
I hope you are happy.
I hope you know you are loved.
Nex Benedict, thank you. Thank you for teaching me something, for opening my eyes.
Nex Benedict, I pray that God gives you another chance, in a world better than this one.
Nex Benedict, I didn’t know you. But, in a way, I love you.