Amber was such a positive influence on everyone who knew her. It wasn't just the big smile, it was the fact that she smiled and joked and danced even when things weren't great, when anyone else would be skitzing and griping. In her life, things weren't always easy, and she didn't  tend to choose the easy path. But she made the best of it and smiled anyway- and it's true, just the act of putting on a smile makes you feel better. She worked food service, she cleaned houses- she did a damn good job, she laughed about it, and she was missed when she left.
Gymnastics, architecture...In high school, she had a couple boyfriends who had issues, different issues, and she not only did not let them drag her down, but today they are thoroughly admirable men, both military, doing what they love and being who they want to be, and they each attribute it in some measure to Amber's influence, her strength, honesty and insight.
    When she wanted to get into competitive gymnastics, I told her it was a commitment of time, energy and money- we would support her but gymnastics would be in lieu of an allowance, and she made that choice and continued to stand by it right through 11th grade. The gym taught her not just grace and strength, but teamwork, time management and budgeting skills that stood her in good stead in college. Architecture is probably one of the most grueling curriculum's there is, but she loved it, and she wanted to know it all and then some, so she could not just do it but do it well.
    The formation of this scholarship was started even before I suggested it, by her thesis professor and classmates- the people who knew best her dedication and inspiration, vision and determination to make the world a better place through architecture. It is comforting to me to know that each of them carries a piece of her forward, inspiring them. Philadelphia University kept her thesis boards, and refers students to them as a standard for excellence. Her art hangs in the President's office and the architecture building.
    Recently, Handbags 4 Peace held their first free self defense session in Philadelphia and I participated, of course. At the end, Senator Anthony Williams thanked me for coming out to support them, and I said,
   "It's the only thing I can do. You do what you have to."
    He disagreed, citing how many relatives of victims withdraw into their grief.
    But he didn't know Amber.
    She would no more crumple up in grief than she would let someone waltz up and take what what hers without a fight. If it had been me on the pavement that night, she would do what I am doing, fighting to keep this story alive until justice comes, fighting to bring any possible good out of tragedy, and to create some kind of legacy.
I champion the Handbags 4 Peace self defense initiative not because I fear for myself, but to keep someone elses daughter from becoming a statistic.
    Amber was smart, she was strong- if she had ever had any instruction in self defense, she might not be dead.
    Shout it from the rooftops, "WHY DO WE NOT TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO DEFEND THEMSELVES?"  It should be the subject of assemblies in the high schools- basic What to Do When. Surely local self defense instructors would jump at the chance to do it for free, just for the exposure to all those potential clients... It's a dog eat dog world- teach the kittens to use their claws. If I can start something in her name that makes the world a better place, that saves other people's children, I will know I have lived up to her.  

Someone did something very nice for me in the devastating aftermath of Amber's murder- she created a memory board, a cork board on an easel with lots of cards for people to write special memories on. I had it up at the funeral- Here are a few of the things people wrote...

'Amber was on our pool team. She was always smiling and encouraging all of us! She often brought cookies & brownies. If we made a huge win, she would do backflips. She was always singing and dancing to the beat of the song!'
' "I want to be an architect, but I want to be a good one. so I want to know everything about building!" - Amber Long (First words to me @ her US Construction interview. I miss her every day & was so blessed to know her.'
'Amber often traveled to Lebanon to join us in our 3rd floor studio (Nest Architecture). Her upbeat, bubbly personality lifted our spirits and brightened the grayest days. For her, architecture wasn't work, it was a blast and her attitude was contagious.'
'In our second year of college, Amber and I stopped to appreciate some spring blooms, and decided to jump into the school fountain!'
'My memory of Amber is seeing her at the pig roast every summer. She could sing like an angel and I just found that out this past summer.'
'I worked with Amber in the studios at Philadelphia University. Her determination, hard work, and creative energy were a constant inspiration. My favorite memories are those where Amber smiled... all my memories are my favorite, and I will always cherish them and her.'
'One night us girls decided to "ear-candle" our ears. This was a first for me, and sitting in the Long's basement, Amber trusted me with a flame 6" from her head. Needless to say, I caught her hair on fire. Rather than getting angry, she just laughed. Amber knew fun experience was so much more worth it than superficialness. I will never forget. OX'
After we graduated, Amber and I hung out a few times at her apartment in South Philly. She made me spagetti dinner and we drank wine on her roof while looking at the city. The world will miss her tender and caring heart.'
'I still remember one of the first times we had ever hung out for an extended length of time. At the end of the entertaining day I was all packed up to go to my mom's house, and Amber said,"put all that stuff down girl so I can give you a proper hug!" She gave the best hugs.'
'Amber worked for me for 1.5 years. She was mighty for her size in so many ways. She was so intelligent, positive, thoughtful, generous. I will miss her dearly.'
'Amber's standing back flips having already been covered... I have a vivid image of the dogged determination with which she scored - and coached - our pool team. such focus...'  He also told me, at the funeral, that he was one of those people who always wanted to know the score, every shot, what's the score? Finally Amber said "What does it matter what the score is? If you play each shot the very best you can, you might not win, but you'll know you couldn't have done better." I had to think about that, he said.
'The biggest smile and the brightest personality. Standing in the Coliseum, laughing and pretending to be on top of the world.'
'Living in Park Heights. Taking the hair brushes and giving an air concert to Billy Joel! Only with you. I love you.'
'Amber and I were design partners for a hosted competition to design a sustainable market. We were a good team and took 1st place. I will never forget how passionate she was for that project, and how passionate she continued to be after school. You really made a difference.'
'Stranded in Paris, lost in Venice, relaxing in Greece, living in Rome, all of college, and our trips to the beach. Love always.'
'One random night in the studio at like 2 in the morning, I heard jazz music blasting. So I walked over to see, & Amber and Pat were swing dancing! I laughed and watched them dance. She was such a joy & always tried to make fun in any moment. :)'
'Amber was more than a friend and co-worker. She brought out the best in me and was family amongst artists like myself. I'll miss having conversations about music most of all.'
'Amber told me in high school, to look in the mirror every day. If I like the person I see there, then I am in the right place. She did so much to help become who I am.'

I know, when you lose something important to you, one of the best ways to get over it is to accentuate the negative- dwell on the things that weren't great, that you won't miss.
I look back on Amber's 26 years...
I remember how impatient she was to grow up. By the time she was in 3rd grade, she was getting herself up and ready for school on time. I remember when one of her friends changed schools because of a bullying problem, and I asked her about it- of course she was the smallest in her class- and she laughed and and said "Mom, I am the bullies worst nightmare!" I remember how she always thought about what I said, and how she always gave in to my puppy dog face and whimpers when I wanted her to do something.
I used to say that there was no joy like a ticklish child- in the letter she wrote me in high school, she said she could have stopped being ticklish years before, but she knew it would disappoint me, and we had such fun. She would "EEEP!" when you tickled her unawares- Zach (her first boyfriend) was quite entranced when he discovered he could eeep her.
I remember nervous times- gymnastics is not a sport for the faint of heart- getting called to the gym because she slipped and went under the horse instead of over it, or missed the high bar and fell on her neck... taking her to the emergency room  and the doctor being impressed by her stoicism as he noted the probably cracked ribs and other contusions- and when she left, he tried to shake her hand, and she winced away. He looked at her and she said, "Don't ask". She had stoved 2 fingers.
What she wanted, she worked for with her whole heart. Her self will and determination were awesome. She was only a gymnast for 5 years, yet she was the level 9 all around PA state champion for 16 and older at the end of her junior year- she loved it, and she gave it up because architecture was more important, and she was realist enough to know she couldn't do both. That summer we started looking at colleges, and a lot of them wanted a portfolio. She hadn't taken art since middle school. Shading was mystery to her- that summer I taught her basic drawing, shading, perspective- now it is her art I hope to sell to benefit her scholarship fund.
Dredge as I might, there are no negatives. No drama, no fights- even going back- and back. She was always there for me, and she knew I was always there for her.

Amber loved her life, her friends, her work, and her city. She worked to excel in everything she did, not because she wanted to beat anyone, but to simply do her best. She made everyone around her happier. She was green, from second hand stores to public transit. She didn’t have a TV by choice. She read, she cooked and baked, she did art, was on a pool league that had just won a championship. Her architecture designs were green, thoughtful, impressive. 

Amber was a little person who lived big. She had a big heart, an old soul, a passionate nature and a bright side viewpoint. She had a discipline and determination learned from gymnastics that she applied to every part of her life. Amber never expected things to come to her freely- she worked hard for what she had. She cared deeply for the people in her life. She gave great hugs. Her job was joyous to her, architecture was her dream, but even when she was cleaning houses, she was always willing, always there, cheerful and just as determined to do her very best. She lived on her own, keeping a lovely, sunny apartment with lots of houseplants spotless, doing intricate pen and ink drawings; award winning sustainable architectural designs; billiards practice and competition; and always made time for her personal relationships. She shared her eclectic love of music with all who would listen. She was short, sweet, funny and fun. She was the most alive person I knew.

Amber was shot for a second hand purse and died January 19th, 2014.

Amber will be remembered by us forever, her smile, energy, passion, and thirst for life. Forever missed. And for all the good she could have done, with her bright inquisitive mind, her passion for sustainable design and her practical determination to make the world a better place - who knows what she could have done?

Please leave your fondest memories of Amber below!