The parents of nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, who was killed during a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport, wrote a letter to their daughter which was read at her funeral on Sunday.
Several hundred audience members lined a street in the city of Merseyside to honor Alice and many remained outside listening to the service.
Here’s what Sergio and Alexandra wrote:
Dear Alice,
You were our perfect dream child. Everything was idyllic from the moment you arrived.
A good girl with strong values and kind nature, animal lover and environmentalist in the making.
You moved our worlds with your trust and empathy.
Playful, energetic, friendly and always very respectful. A playground peacemaker.
No yelling is a house rule you enforced. A big task for a little girl, especially in a Portuguese home.
Being close to you was a privilege. We value every milestone. You completed us.
In nine short years, we’ve never needed a break from you. We would never give up our time for anything that didn’t involve you too, and if we did, we would always do it separately so that you could always have one of us by your side.
You were born and raised in love.
And we loved hugging you every night for almost nine years, other than sleepovers and nights out with your friends, we were never apart.
You liked sleeping with mom and dad, you liked closing the curtains and watching Disney+ with popcorn.
Our room was his place of comfort. You were our comfort and peace.
As you grew up, from princess to pre-teen, we started to notice some changes, seeing your independence take shape.
From her skin care regimen, to playing with makeup, to her dedication to school, dance, and faith.
Your to-do list was extensive and we were sure you could accomplish this if you had the time.
We talked about which school you could go to, about growing up having a big house with a garden and having children – children we will never help you raise.
This hurts. We will never see you grow up.
First funeral in Southport takes place
The day before your final fight, Mom kept asking if you were okay, so much so that you and Dad asked why.
Part of me wondered if I was being too British, but I finally realized that I always wanted to know if you were okay.
Now dad feels sorry for mom. She saw things no human should.
You were taken from us too soon. And we often ask why?
Why here? Why us? Why you? We wonder if you have ever thought of us, called us.
We wonder if you felt any pain. We hope not, my dear.
We then question: could this have been avoided? Could we have prevented this somehow?
Many questions are sickening and we will never get over this pain – but we promise to get all the answers.
Mom saw a lot and we need to know.
Read more: Last photo of Southport victim as hundreds line the streets for funeral
We feel shocked and unimaginable pain. How I miss you.
Every now and then the pin drops. When mom says “good night Sergio, good night Alice” and then we hit again.
We didn’t hear back from you.
Moving forward will be difficult. Some days are better than others, but none will be perfect.
Sometimes we are weak and say crazy things, but we made a promise to always be there for each other in moments of despair. A pinky promise.
We share a strong bond and will always have each other to rely on. We will not be alone.
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We are surrounded by a wonderful community and your full support, family and friends, neighbors, co-workers, wonderful military men and women who serve the community, their school, their church and all their friends and their parents.
We have the full support of the country and the privilege of multiplying this by two. For that, we are grateful. For now, our dear angel, keep dancing.
Mom and Dad will always, always love you.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
