The passage of time heals old wounds, or so it is said.
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It makes memories fonder, creates the excitement of new beginnings, can turn grief into cherished recollections.
Death comes to us all and of course that does not dull the hurt when it visits, whether it’s dearly loved family, close friends or those we know who nevertheless move outside of our daily circle.
That is the human condition. That somehow we work through our loss and use this as a way forward, holding in our hearts what made us love or care or appreciate the person who is gone.
It doesn’t stop the tears, even many years past, though it helps. But when Kim Meredith died at the hands of a brutal, predatory monster, that was all taken away.
Kim had such a horrible death that there surely cannot be any way forward for those who loved her most. This is the terrible stain left by her death, which now – almost unbelievably – is 20 years gone.
Nothing could be clearer when you remember and respect the simple, cold reality that what the killer did affected one person more than any other.
And that’s Kim. She is the one who did not get to create the exciting future that was promised, however that might have unfolded. She is the one who did not get to keep doing what she had always done, and that is be a kind soul, funny, smart and a wonderful daughter, sister and friend.
It is heartbreaking for so many in our community when they recall those dark times of late March, 1996.
The Border Mail was inundated with such memories when it ran a story on Wednesday, the anniversary of Kim’s death, about a moving tribute from songwriter Graham Howle.
The Merediths were “tickled pink” when he asked for their blessing.
This is where the pain and the devastation, most pointedly, will not go away.
It’s never being able to have closure. It was one of the first things Bob Meredith said when he spoke with courage and dignity about their beautiful “Kimmie”.
The Merediths fought hard for so many years to ensure justice for Kim. They will, for the rest of their lives, have her at the forefront of their hearts and minds.
And they want us all to remember. The lessons of Kim’s brief life should stay with us and forever guide us on what will always be the right thing to do.