Name: Deepa Marie Daniels
Age: 19
Location: India

When I first heard the tragic news, I prayed for those involved, and then a thought came to my mind. How, why, do people do bad things, hurtful things? I thought, What was Ricky like five years before he committed a brutal murder and then took his own life, do you think in his wildest imagination he presumed that he would go so far off, that he would leave Earth that way?

Memories of childhood bedtime stories came to mind with Ricky (Davidito) as one of the main characters, I remembered my Mom and I looking at a “Now it can be shown” photo book, featuring pictures of Ricky as a child with his father. He looked so cute, so happy! Being our founder’s son, I held a special respect and admiration for him.

I thought if he could do what he did, then what am I capable of. I took an honest look at my present life, one I treasure, hold dear, and make sacrifices to live. I wondered, Where will I be in five years, what will I be doing? And then it came clear, I will be where my choices take me, just as Ricky was where his choices took him, and all of us will be. God has given us the majesty of choice, the freedom to choose good or evil, love or hate.

In this sad situation I don’t feel I can judge anyone or place the blame (unlike others who feel free to voice negative feelings based on very scanty “evidence” or can I say lies!!) Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them”. The fruit I see coming from this bitterness, hate, and maligning has only been negative. It has caused more anger, resentment, and hatred, a low road that leads to destruction. Through their unreasonably vengeful comments they are causing suffering.

The fruit of my life in The Family is far from that; I have a deep inner joy and contentment, I find myself ready to forgive and love even those who do not reciprocate these feelings. I make unselfish choices, I strive constantly to improve as a person, and most of all I desire to give, to share, to love. How do I do this? Trust me, I could very well be a 19 year old who barely noticed anything outside myself.

Why am I in the Family, why do I choose it despite the many other options and opinions I have been offered? It is because I have the choice, and I have chosen!

My question to you who disrespect my decision and who go so far as to try to disfigure the beauty, light, love, and happiness I find in the life I have chosen is: Are you happy? And by happy I don’t mean the sadistic pleasure of avengement, I mean a deep happiness that no one or nothing can take away from you? Do you feel the world is a better place because you are in it? Do you feel that when your life is over, you can face God without shame?

I’d like to end with one last thought, Jesus said, “if they persecute Me, they will also persecute you”, and “All those that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” This slander, this attack on my way of life, is telling me that yes I (we in The Family), live a godly life, closely following the teachings and sample of Christ.

Deepa Marie Daniels is a second-generation member of The Family International