Tribute to Barbara Lund

This tribute is to my sister, Barbara Lund. On Aug. 5, 2012, it will 20 years since her estranged husband shot her to death in a moment of rage and depression during a contentious divorce. It was so unexpected since my now deceased ex brother-in-law fit the description of someone who one would not have thought could shoot someone. I have found that that is often the case in domestic shootings. It can happen to anyone.

Barbara was a beautiful woman- full of life. She was an artist. She was a skilled and daring skiier. She was a tennis player. She was a pilot. She was a risk taker and had a vivacious and assertive personality. She had three children- one by her estranged husband and two from a previous marriage. Barbara was a loving mother and stepmother to her children and to the children from the first marriage of the man who shot her. These adult children now have children of their own. They love each other and have stayed close as a family in spite of the tragedy that could have torn them apart. It is my sister’s amazing spirit that has kept them all together as a family. My sister would have wanted it that way.

Barbara was my older sister who lost her only daughter in a drowning accident when she was only 14 months old. My own daughter was just three-months old when this happened and never knew her cousin. The relationship between my sister and my daughter was special — in part because of the tragic loss of her own little girl. She lost her only aunt that day fateful day in August of 1992. I lost my only sister.

As a result of my sister’s shooting, I have been involved in gun violence prevention efforts and know that she would be proud of my work to keep other families from the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one so violently. Guns are not the answer. When guns are in the home, there is a good chance they will be used to harm a loved one or a friend. When there are family difficulties, mental illness, domestic disputes, drugs or alcohol use, anger, etc. guns can be used to “solve a problem.” My sister’s murder is a prime example of how quickly and easily one person’s life can be snuffed out.