Sarah Adelman’s mother Nancy was murdered while out on a jog in 1997, and as the execution of her killer approaches, Sarah has chosen not to witness it but instead honor her mother’s memory with a ceremony of gratitude and forgiveness by a river. Nancy was described as a joyful person, a playwright, poet, and loving mother who woke up early to pray and meditate. She was brutally murdered by Arthur Lee Burton, who confessed to the crime and was sentenced to death. The family will gather in different ways as her husband and oldest son plan to witness the execution, while Sarah chooses to celebrate her mother’s life with joy and laughter. Sarah wrote a book about her mother’s life and included some of her poetry to keep her memory alive. She believes in the power of choice, urging others to choose joy, connection, and love in their lives. Despite the tragic loss of her mother, Sarah finds solace in the shared experience of sorrow, believing that sorrow connects us to one another. Through her book and her refusal to attend the execution, Sarah hopes to honor her mother’s memory and continue her legacy of choosing joy in the face of tragedy.
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The Daughter of a Murdered Texan Runner Finds Joy, Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps
