B次元官网网址: Spencer Pickles/Black Press Media

As an estimated two thousand residents and guests started to break away in groups and file toward Beach Drive, a light drumming began near the waterB次元官网网址檚 edge at Willows Beach. As the public vigil to honour the lives of little Chloe and Aubrey Berry ended, not far from the playground at Willows Beach Park where the sisters loved to play, a First Nations drumming circle performed into the crisp night air.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had the pleasure to sit in front of that little girl last year when she was at Willows,B次元官网网址� said James Taylor after the song finished. Taylor works for the school district sharing his grandfatherB次元官网网址檚 stories and songs with the next generation. He met Chloe at 脡cole Willows Elementary in Oak Bay where she attended Kindergarten last year.

B次元官网网址: Keri Coles/Oak Bay B次元官网网址

B次元官网网址淚 shared that song with her last year along with some of the stories that mean a lot to me,B次元官网网址� he said, his voice breaking with emotion. B次元官网网址淚n that beautiful little face B次元官网网址� in the picture she drew (that) I have at home. That honour song was for her B次元官网网址� and the teaching behind that song that I shared with her goes out to you.B次元官网网址�

It was a poignant moment to end an hour of poignant moments during the candlelight vigil, from descriptions of Aubrey, 4, playing Gabriel the Angel in the nativity pageant this year, to Chloe, 6, acting as mediator on the playground.

The sombre event Dec. 30 was in remembrance of the sisters whose bodies were on Christmas Day. Their father, 43-year-old Andrew Berry, has been arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

But Saturday wasnB次元官网网址檛 about the investigation, and instead took on the themes of community, healing and love. The evening began with piano music, and attendees so quiet the lapping waves broke through between notes.

B次元官网网址淲e have all been shaken by this tragic event, not only here in Oak Bay but across our city, our province and our nation,B次元官网网址� said Hazel Braithwaite, acting mayor of Oak Bay, who led the vigil. B次元官网网址淭here are no adequate words that can come close to describing this tragic loss or that can help us express our feelings and our grief. This touches us at our most basic level.B次元官网网址�

Rev. Michelle Slater of Oak Bay United Church read an email from the girlsB次元官网网址� grandparents Brenda and Malcolm, thanking attendees of the vigil. B次元官网网址淲e are extremely grateful for the kind support we and Sarah have been given at the most desperate of times. These children were the light of our lives and a big part of our extremely small family. We are so grateful that we shared their lives.B次元官网网址�

The letter went on to thank all those who B次元官网网址済ave the girls wonderful friendshipsB次元官网网址� and the first responders who B次元官网网址渨ere so kind Christmas night at a time of unfathomable loss.B次元官网网址�

The Oak Bay park was full of people grieving and supporting each other. Most brought candles, some sang along with the performance of Hallelujah as they came together to B次元官网网址渂egin to healB次元官网网址� as Braithwaite said.

B次元官网网址淲e are here to affirm that, though six and four years old, their lives had meaning and purpose. Their lives mattered. The world was a more beautiful place because of them; a more loving and delightful place. PeopleB次元官网网址檚 lives were changed because of Chloe and AubreyB次元官网网址檚 living. Those impacts will continue now and into the future,B次元官网网址� Slater said.

Family friend Sandra Hudson called the vigil an B次元官网网址渋ncredible show of supportB次元官网网址� for the sistersB次元官网网址� mother, Sarah Cotton.

B次元官网网址淪he is a wonderful person and sheB次元官网网址檚 really loved by this community, as were Chloe and Aubrey,B次元官网网址� Hudson said. B次元官网网址淚 think all the people coming out tonight are bringing that love that Sarah has shown for so many back to her.B次元官网网址�

Hudson described the deaths of the young girls as B次元官网网址渢he worst thing that could ever happen.B次元官网网址�