Story of and Celebration of the life of Vanessa Irene Edwards, born July 6, 1986, to Denise and Ray Edwards. Vanessa is one of four children. Before we celebrate, I feel that it is very important that you all know the struggle that led up to Vanessa finally going to heaven. It will tell her story much better of how she helped others and was just an amazing person to be around. Vanessa was born in Thornton, Colorado, and grewup in North glenn. An employment opportunity took us to Hot Springs, Ar. were we lived for many years. Vanessa was married in Hot Springs Arkansas to a person she believed was the love of her life. Unfortunately, from day one, we’re finding that the love was more of a monster. We as parents, had suspicions but Vanessa did a great job of hiding it. We discussed it with her but young love as you know is blind sometimes. She was always laughing and always smiling and always willing to help others. Soon she learned what domestic violence was. As the domestic violence continued to get worseover the years we started to see more and tried to intervene numerous times. From bruises to broken bones,there was always an excuse like tripping over the dog,tripped over the carpet, etc. Being a blonde, I can see how she could trip over the carpet. Unfortunately, unless you are in that position, it is hard to understand what’s going on in the mind of a victim of domestic violence. She continued to think she could change him. Then it got to the point where she thought it was always her fault. He convinced her this is normal. And her fault. She wrote many entries in her journal talking about her daily struggles. People, this is unnecessary. No male or female should ever have to live a life like this. It is time to end the silence and stop the violence. A few years ago, Vanessa reached out to a group called Tessa in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This group helps women and children that are part of domestic violence and sexual assault. Vanessa started as a victim but went through their training program to be a leader in counseling other women going through the same. Unfortunately, Vanessa would not look in the mirror and get her self help but was always helping others. The strain from the years and years of abuse took a toll. Living with a narcissist impacted her life so that for many years she didn’t feel things would get better. Unfortunately, reports have been made with the police, resulting in frustrationon her side. We have also seen this in very high-profile cases around Colorado lately. Ipersonally have read through all her notes, police reports, text messages, and voice messages that were kept, and I’m sickened by somebody who thinks their actions are OK. One of the police reports even has a confession from the monster that he may have broken a bone of hers in the past. Our justice system is broken. My family will not rest until justice is done. I am extremely honored with Vanessa because there are atleast two women whom I will not call out for safety reasons that have been directly affected and stood up to stop the violence. They both got justice and both of their abusers have been in jail or prison but unfortunately due to the lack of appropriate laws in the state of Colorado, they are both walking free today. These women and their children are starting to live better life. And again, they would stand up here today and tell you it’s all because of Vanessa's story. They watched what she went through and she also talked them into putting an end. I am also here to announce today that the Edwards family and others are working on a program to not only change current laws but enact new ones where no woman or man will ever have to suffer at the hands of amonster and have the monster get away with everything.

Now, how about some time to celebrate the laughs and wonderful years.Vanessa Irene was an amazing lady. One thing that we all know is Vanessa is atrue blonde from playing basketball in junior high running down the court fixingher hair while dribbling a ball , running over a fire hydrant in the school parking lot that she said moved in front of her, to the most recent jumping like a bunny in the motor home when we went camping a few months ago. Vanessa was one that we could always play jokes on, and she never took it personally. She was the firstone laughing and the last one to continue laughing. That is something we all can learn from. Just a couple of funny times come to mind that I would like to share. One as I said I remember going to the basketball game when she was in juniorhigh school and she ran down the court playing with her hair as she dribbled the ball.She knew she was going to be a great basketball player “ cough, cough.” And follow in her daddy‘s footsteps. One day she was out practicing in our driveway. I believe she started with flip-flops on but for whatever reason always hatedwearing anything on her feet. She decided to practice with nothing on ( her feet that is ) She ended up stubbing her big toe and cried like crazy. As the dad, I looked at her and told her to walk it off. That has been our family joke since then when somebody gets any type or injury. Her toe immediately started to swell and turn colors, so we thought we would just go get a quick x-ray. I mean, come onit’s a little stubbed. Little did we know, according to the doctor, he never saw so  many pieces of a broken bone in a toe in his life. Vanessa had to have surgery onher toe. We still use that today, telling people to walk it off. Oh, and by the way, I still outscored her basketball career. I played basketball in junior high also. I scored one basket she still didn’t score baskets. sorry, Vanessa, I know you triedto out-score me. Lol. Vanessa also had the nickname Barbie. She was a crossbetween Paris Hilton and Barbie the doll. Eighteen years ago, we got aChihuahua dog, and we still have her. She would dress up like Paris Hilton (which she named the dog Paris ) and put the dog in her purse, and go to Walmart simply just to not buy anything but to show everybody her Chihuahua ina purse. I mentioned the fire hydrant. She was driving through the parking lot at high school one day when she ran over an active fire hydrant. She told the cop that the fire hydrant had moved in front of her. She was never charged. And as I said, we were camping just a few months ago, which is something she loved to do. We are playing some game where she had to jump around like a bunny. She jumped and laughed and laughed, and I thought she was going to P her pants.There was another part during the game she had to stick her nose on the cabinet again. Never once did she get upset because she was the life of the party. Or how about the time we put trick candles on her birthday cake? Even after we thought she figured it out, she kept trying. Ok, how about one more? Anyone that has taken Ambien knows how you do things without knowing. Nessa cooked a pizza for the two of us one night. Let’s let the video tell the story. Vanessa enjoyed making others laugh all the time. Again even at her expense. I’m sure others will share more fun times once I can get done. Vanessa enjoyed hiking,camping, and anything outdoors. Especially with her new love, which I’ll talk about in a minute. One thing that she did learn from daddy that to this day I wish she didn’t learn was how to work hard. Now don’t get me wrong, I think we all need to earn an honest pay and truly earn it. Vanessa would come down over the weekend to have fun but would spend hours on her computer because she knew she had work to do to help others. I would tell her that she needed to be off the clock and spend some time with the family, so she would turn the computer off and then 30 minutes later be right back on the Computer. A workaholic is probably a light phrase for her. She did it because she knew she was making a difference in so many people's lives, and so many people would be disappointed if she didn’t help them. She was constantly taking on more roles with her work and recently was getting promoted. As I said, Vanessa met a new man last year.He is a different breed of today’s male. One a lot of us can learn from. Now I’ve gotten pretty good over the years, having three daughters. I’ve been able toread males since I am one, and I will tell you, this young man meant everything to my daughter. He is laid-back, chilled, and just openly honest. The two of them had huge dreams that were coming true already. He owns a huge very expensive house in Black Forest. Vanessa always dreamed of living in a big house with land.