One Of The Many Factors That Made Meredith So Happy When She First Arrived In Perugia

Tweet This Post

Comments

It is an amazing view - one upon which one could rest one’s eyes for a few minutes in the middle of an essay or project.  I imagine watching the seasons change across those hills would have been a life long inspiration to Meredith.

As for “how could this have happened?”.  No answer to that question will ever be sufficient.  Four lives flushed with the promise of youth and now….

Judge Massei has done what needed to be done, he and his fellow judges have been fair and balanced and shown great consideration for both sides of the case, and conclusions have been drawn.  I feel for all the judges (both professional and lay) they have had to provide justice for Meredith, something which must have taken an immense emotional toll, whilst judging three other young people and passing sentence - something I am sure also weighs heavily. 

The sentencing report had a major impact on me when I struggled through it with my basic Italian and school level Latin - reading it in my native tongue leaves me speechless.  Judge Massei did a truly amazing job at documenting the judgement, I agree, Peter. And the translators too did a fantastic job by providing Judge Massei’s words to the English speaking world.

8/12/10

Exactly. Meredith had it all going on. She would have excelled. She was such a great person. July 2010 a refrain kept going through my mind, “Come back to us, Meredith. Come back.”

That made me start writing spiteful poems about Amanda. Lines like “no more stupid roommate to decide your fate, no more animosity from their hidden pomposity…Be all you can be, evil. Show your tail. You weep and wail/over your own limitations only, we’re all sick of you, go back to where you came from/One day you will…etc”

Well, it was a terrible poem but it kept going like rap lyrics, with a nanny-nanny-boo-boo, we’re not in prison but look at you flavor.

AK floated over the ocean to renounce rules, now she’s covered up with rules. The beauty of Perugia and the scenes Italy’s famous for, they are other girls’ pleasure now.

Young women AK’s age are shopping the mall, eating out, driving with friends, laughing at sports bars, buying new clothes, bleaching their hair, painting and taking bubble baths, buying fragrance, nail polish, cute jeans, drinking coffee, baking & cooking with Rachel Ray, watching comedies, driving to fun cities, getting up any hour they please, sleeping late, music, dancing, buying new jewelry, swimming, sunning, fishing, snorkeling, biking, hiking, you name it, meanwhile filling their rooms with beautiful things, walking their dog, feeding their pets, reading the latest magazines, smelling flowers, going to any church they want.

They’ve got constant TV and movies and computer games, it’s all good. Children and husbands are on the way for them, they’re getting degrees from colleges, nursing schools, law schools, vet schools, sports medicine. Meanwhile look who’s sitting in a hot dirty prison surrounded by you know whats. The 2 pages of garbled spite like this I will spare the reader.

She’s paying a lot. Cha-ching.

What a beautiful life taken away because of the limitations of inferior beings.

Meredith shows us that it does make a difference to come from a loving family, to study and work hard, to have a clear path set in life. All that provides the structure needed to be relaxed, to be without financial worries, to have high self esteem without being arrogant, not to be anxious, not to be jealous, but be a positive spirit that can enjoy life and on the way, even make others happy.

Three cowards, each with huge psychological problems, under the influence of drugs, had to end the life so beautifully lived by Meredith.

Peter’s writing and the beautiful panoramic picture made me think that we each can be our own Meredith and be as positive of an individual as she was. Let´s give our children and parents the attention they need, let us see the beauty of Perugia in our own towns and let´s radiate that lust for life that Meredith had.

Whenever thinking about Amanda and other criminals takes over, I try to push it away. I’d much rather focus on the positive examples than to be angry at the negative ones. That way I am a more positive person for those around me, which should make a little difference in the world.

“Nothing was too much effort for her.”

Very moving. Ive just come back from a stroll I took over the local graveyard and what struck me most was the grave of a young woman who died when she was just 22 , just a year younger than I am now. It was spooky and it made me think of Meredith Kercher immediately.Yes, Meredith would have lived life fully . I myself have struggled with mental problems and have even been committed to a psychiatric hospital three times. No one has really helped me and the only remedy Ive found is your excellent webpage . Whenever Ive felt suicidal Ive turned to reading about Meredith and it has kept the evil thoughts at bay. More people should know about her story.

8/13/10

aethelred23,

Meredith’s life IS encouraging. This website has benefited you. I’m glad it has, and seek out more help. Protect your own life. You have a lot to give. Meredith’s death was a pitiful loss to the world. Keep searching, you will find what you’re seeking.

This website and Perugia Murder File are great therapy for fuzzy thinking, the intellect has a powerful place in life. A tonic for runaway emotions.

Your username was intriguing, I did a quick google. Result: a reminder that King Aethelred of England fought many battles against Danish invaders. Yet England is a unified country today. Thanks for that link, I was totally immersed in a time period of rough but good stuff.

Please keep posting. It’s good to have feedback from someone close to the age of Meredith and her peers.

First, I’d like to thank Peter for this lovely post and picture. It is an amazing view that Meredith enjoyed. When I look at it, I think not only of the visual, but the lovely smells that must have wafted into her window on lovely breezes in the evening. She was lucky to be there, but she was also the kind of person (one feels) who knew how lucky she was, and appreciated her experiences fully. Just look at that happy face.

Also, I wanted to say to Aethelred, I hope you do continue reading and posting, like Hopeful said. If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is that there *is* help available for the problems we face. Things may not ever be perfect, but they *do* get better. As Elton John used to say in his drugged-out phase, it’s not a weakness to ask for help—it’s a strength.

And to Janus: Your revelations about your mother dying the same day as Meredith were very sad and heart-rending. My mother’s death was very hard on me as well, and I think you’re brave to post about it so “soon” afterward. (Time contracts and you measure everything by the death, don’t you?)

I think Meredith’s story, as sad as it is, has helped us all in some unknown way, to understand life and death and the blessing of enjoying life while it is here.

I myself was going through a lot the same time as Meredith’s death. I don’t want to bore you all with the details, but the point is, I was suffering from various situations in my life. I blamed myself for getting into them, which only added to the suffering, unfortunately. But really, just like Meredith couldn’t have predicted that her nutty roommate would go ‘round the bend, neither could I really predict my situation.

Anyway, I just wanted to touch base on those issues. We are mostly sensitive types, perhaps, that are drawn to this board and PMF. We need to all be sure to take care of ourselves—take our B vitamins, vitamin D (I take 2000 IU a day), our meds (if we need them), and our fish oil (I take krill!). I believe we are very important to the world, because we *are* sensitive. *smile*

So take care,

Earthling

Oh, and Aethelred, I like to walk in cemeteries too. 😊 I find them peaceful. When I’m in a mischievous mood, I make up little puns about the names on the stones, such as: “‘Brown’, you’re looking a little ‘down’!” or “‘Overturf’? Not anymore!” LOL.

Also, of course, exercise is the best thing ever. I try to take a walk everyday ... don’t always succeed, but when I do, I feel great!

saskia,

thank you so much for your insightful comments.

what you’ve written, so beautifully, reflects my deepest experiences of the gift, and example, of meredith’s life.

Hey, Earthling, thank you so much for your kind words. I guess when I think of my mother, I think of Sartre’s quote “every life is complete at its end”. Comparatively young (60, just turned some days before her death) she may have been, but she achieved a great deal: two wonderful kids (plus one occasionally-alright one, depending on who you’re talking to!), a husband, a career (in child protection).

All these things were denied to Meredith. After my mother died, we found her youthful diaries. Painful AND heartening reading, full of youthful crushes, dreams, ambitions, musical tastes, family anecdotes and little jokes, and when I think of Meredith, I think of what my mother used to be when she was young, and the hopes she had, and the fears she felt, and I think of what she became, and how she influenced me, and it is absolutely tragic that nobody will be ever to say of Meredith, “she is my mother”, because I know she would have made an awesome one.  Her life was NOT complete. Sartre was wrong.

She had so much more to offer and so much more to give. But there are so many who can claim “she is my friend”, and two very lucky people who can say “she is my daughter” and three people who can say “she is my sister”. (I use the present tense, because Meredith’s family have made it very clear that Meredith is still part of their lives and will continue to be).

And many people worldwide who can say “she is my inspiration”, because she also lives for us, and always will. We fight for justice for her, not because we are “haters”, but because we are driven by a desire that the truth is known and her horrific, meaningless death is not made even worse, and even more meaningless by the unjust freedom of anyone who was responsible for it. We fight because Meredith - articulate, bubbly, clever and bright - does not have a voice to speak with anymore and so those of us, infinitely less well-equipped than her to do so, must speak for her.

She has already achieved more than most people ever will, and her friends and family can, and should be, hugely proud of that.

...and just when I think I have no more tears to cry, for Meredith, or for my mother, they flow anew.

Thanks for reading.

Janus your thoughts were almost exactly like mine not a day goes by I don’t think of Meredith in one way or the other. The rose in winter outside the cottage stays in my mind of Meredith letting everyone know that she was ok and in heaven.

I think of her parents and siblings and I pray for them each and every day.

Meredith did do one thing and that was bringing so many people around the world together in our thoughts.

Meredith’s father John has actually said that the fact that Meredith is so widely remembered helps the family a lot to get through it all. This post still reflects the distribution of our readership.

Germany is fourth after the US, UK and Italy. Russia is till there and (to the disbelief of the FOA but it is true) so is China. We once got aggregated by a Russian news service and for several days the site went haywire.

One thing I am really learning out of all of this is the worldwide power of stories. Another is just how much one person can matter, can become iconic and make such a difference, even after they have passed.

In Italy Meredith is simply referred to as “Meredith” and she has a greater hold there than anywhere. The FOA and Edda Mellas like to say the media beat up on AK and that is why Italians so dislike her. Actually it is not like that. Italians simply really liked Meredith, who in many ways was really one of them.

Lovely post Earthling.  Would certainly categorise myself as ‘sensitive’ type (too much so; often wished in past hadn’t been born as Cancerian!)  Thanks for tips about vitamins and walking in cemeteries to appreciate life in full.

Me too going through report at very slow pace in order to appreciate detail and arguments and compare to what’s on this site.  Am up to Quintavalle testimony at moment. 

Looking at ‘Injustice in Perugia’ site recently found section about ‘Guilters’ (ie those who post on this site and PMF) thoroughly offensive and arrogant with comments such as “It is fairly easy to separate an intelligent person voicing his or her opinion from a guilter.”  We are all therefore lacking in the intelligence which they clearly all have.  Who wrote this piece does anyone know?

That would be the architect of that site, and chief White Knight, self-appointed cheerleader for Amanda Knox, Mr Bruce Fisher, Lola. I believe so, anyway. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong. And yes, it is a laughable site. For example, compare his “photo analysis” of the staged break-in with the cool, calm, logical wording of the Massei Report which explains in great depth why they rejected the idea that someone broke through that window.

I would find his page slightly less irksome if he had the grace, sense and courage to say something like “although there is evidence pointing at Knox and Sollecito, I believe there is room for reasonable doubt”. I wouldn’t AGREE with it, but I would respect him a lot more. As it is his, “Amanda and Raffaelle are INNOCENT” cries ring very hollow.

As Peter mentions in his post, Judge Massei is an “amazing legal talent”; here on this site many people, Peter and The Machine are just two, who have produced clear analysis of all aspects of this case and there are many commenters who have discussed points and argued many different view points - all of which have helped me better understand this terrible crime.

I too have visited sites like “Injustice in Perugia” and they tend to view things in black and white, there is no room for critical discussion or alternate views; if you ask for an explanation of a point, for a reason, a source, for evidence you tend to be, at best, shouted down.

I am in complete agreement with Janus’ last paragraph - someone claiming innocence when there is a huge stack of evidence to the contrary is unreasonable; if they took the time to look at the evidence and explain how it supports their view of innocence or reasonable doubt would at least display a knowledge of the evidence, and allow others to question their reasoning and analysis. 

I’m reminded of the final steps towards a PhD - you work for three years on your subject, you present your findings and submit them - finally you have to go in front of a panel of experts in your field and defend your thesis.  You have to back up and support your work when it is critically appraised by others.  If your work fails to stand up to critical appraisal and you are unable to back up, support and argue your case you fail.  Sites where a view is presented with no back up or forum to allow critical appraisal and discussion fail.

Here, at True Justice for Meredith Kercher, the views presented by the poster are of obvious quality and have been worked hard on by the poster, they are supported by the evidence, and in the comments you and I are able to critically appraise the post.  That, to me, appears to be quite a rigorous method of ensuring quality.

Judge Massei’s report presents the evidence, both the prosecution and defences evidence.  He analyses it, draws conclusions and explains why and how those conclusions were drawn.  The report was then published to allow all to critically review and appraise the case.

That is a long winded way of saying that, in my opinion, this site and Judge Massei’s report are intellectually sound.  I am not so sure about site where alternate views are disallowed.

Where next:

Or to next entry Meredith’s Europe #3: The City Of Brussels Where She Was Eager To Start Work

Or to previous entry Meredith’s Perugia #28: The Palm Riviera, For Her, Less Than One Hour East