Posted by Katie Feifer on 08/15/11 at 10:03:01 AM
On July 19, 2009, Isaiah Kalebu entered the apartment where Teresa Butz and her partner Jen Hopper, were sleeping. He brutally attacked them, raping both and killing Teresa and wounding Jen. Two years later, on the eve of his sentencing, Jen Hopper wrote an article for the Seattle Stranger, "I Would LIke You to Know My Name." She eloquently describes how it has been for her to live her life in the wake of such violence and the loss of her great love, Teresa. We get a glimpse, through her words, of her journey of healing. She writes "At the end of the day, there is nothing that can make this wrong right again. No final words or punishment can undo what's been done. As I prepare to close this campter... and begin my walk into the next chapter, I want to look, as much as I can, toward the positive, toward the future." We wish Jen some peace, and more healing, as time goes on.
Jen doesn't mention in her piece that she has contributed her voice to the Angel Band Project, a benefit cd in honor of Teresa Butz created by her friends and family, including Tony-award winning actor Norb Butz. Proceeds from the cd go to The Voices and Faces Project. Learn more of the story behind the Angel Band Project and future Angel Band Project events, and hear some of the beautiful music on their site.