Page 91 - Dash to Heaven DRAFT

were parked in front/back of our house in case he came back to finish us off. I was patrolling the inside, shotgun in hand just in case. We were not sleeping, much, and when I did wake up, there would be a second or so where I would think, "Maybe it was all just a horrible dream." But then the memory and pain would rush over and through me again. The first thing I would hear would be Muriel wailing in Makayla's room. This went on for weeks and it began to anger me because it was instant audible proof that, now, my waking life was a living nightmare and sleep was my only escape, however temporary.
TV cameras, reporters and investigators were everywhere. Manhunts and searches seemed to go on forever. I was in hyper protective mode for a month before he was finally arrested in the keys. John Walsh from America’s Most Wanted and the US Marshals had finally found him. Then there was silence, as only our Pastor and close friends came around. I eventually went back to work. Muriel would be left home all day, alone in that empty house that had once been a home. Her mom used to visit almost daily, but she was gone now, too.
God finally showed mercy and brought blessing upon us in the form of Natalia Grace. One morning I woke up and heard something strange, different really, quiet, peaceful. Singing from another room? I listened closely and heard my broken wife softly singing, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound..." She was almost whispering but I knew at that moment she would survive. We would survive. Mourning lasts through the night but joy comes in the morning! Natalia Grace is 21 months old as I write this.
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