They may be nine little words, but they speak volumes to a culture that has become deeply ingrained with seeking revenge and hateful retaliation
“I include myself in that in forgiving the guy who did this. He don’t know no better,” he humbly added.
While broken to the core over the loss of his daughter, the proud father still couldn’t help but reflect on the beaming, Christ-like qualities that made her the special woman she was.
“My daughter was a strong woman that had passion and opinions about the equality of everyone, and she tried to stand up for that,” he said. “And with her, it wasn’t lip service. It was real.”
“My daughter’s life. I’m proud of her. Proud of her for standing up,” remarked the heartbroken father as he choked back tears, adding “she had more courage than I did.”
Though he has forgiven his daughter’s murderer, the hole her death has left in his heart is undoubtedly permanent. Mark’s simple hope and prayer amidst this tragedy is that Heather’s death not be in vain, but rather act as an agent of change to transform the hearts of others.
“I hope that her life and what has transpired changes people’s hearts, their thinking, their understanding of their neighbor,” he said. “We just need to forgive each other, and I hope that’s what comes out of all this.”
Watch Mark’s full emotional statement in the interview below:
WATCH: Father talks about daughter killed at Charlottesville protest pic.twitter.com/EbSdoFm0pW
— Asbury Park Press (@AsburyParkPress) August 15, 2017
