Louisville, KY (WDRB) -- Families and friends left behind after murders and suicides will say they never heal completely after their tragedies.
But survivors may have gained some comfort in two ceremonies for victims and their families Sunday.
The events focused on respect, remembrance and knowing they're not alone.
"It makes me feel good that I get to come here and hear that I'm not the only one this has happened to, that I've lost my child, my daughter," said Connie Parker of Louisville.
She talked about her daughter, Ashley Davis, who was strangled almost three years ago.
Family and friends already had made posters with the happy memories of her pictures -- ahead of a Hosparus ceremony at the Muhammad Ali Center to remember the victims of violent crime -- and help those left behind.
"Everybody here's just warm and caring. They take time out of their lives to take care of us."
Parker's family joins others in grief and in therapy.
For example, each dab of paint...
...each stroke of a brush...
is another step toward healing, although the grief never goes away completely.
They paint stones with butterflies and bright colors to match the smiles in those pictures.
The stones will go home -- as a thought not of how someone died, but how someone lived.
"I just put it next to the back door, so that way when I come in and leave, I can see it every day," Parker said.
Survivors placed pictures and other mementoes on a table for visitors to see. They formed the centerpiece of a remembrance service as well.
"The way (a death) happened, very bad. But it is so wonderful to be able to remember the good things about them, the wonderful things about them," said long-time Hosparus volunteer Ruth Lowe. She spoke of her grief for a brother murdered 35 years ago, and of a nephew killed in a motorcycle accident eight years ago.
Four blocks away, sacred classical and choral music filled Christ Church Cathedral. It added calm and enhanced time for private prayer for those participating in an annual service for the city's homicide victims.
63 candles were lighted for those killed in 2012.
"We hope that this not only provides comfort but is a witness against violence in our city, and that we are people who like to speak out against it and pray for it to cease," said The Very Rev. Mark Bourlakas.
Christ Church Cathedral already has five candles in its lobby for this year's homicide victims.
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