Christina Grimmie’s parents have a "gigantic hole" in their hearts following the singer’s death last weekend.
Christina, 22, was gunned down by a deranged fan following a concert performance in Orlando and her father Bud spoke of their heartache at a memorial service for her on Friday (17.06.16).
He said: "This crowd has blessed me beyond words. There is this gigantic hole in my heart that I know is never going to go away but God showed me he is way bigger than that hole. I believe that. There are three things that keep me upright rather than being a crumpled mess in the corner. I know I am going to see her again.
She is not going to be hurting… This is where I am wrestling, God’s plan is better than my plan. I’ve argued with God, ‘Your plans are better than mine?’ This doesn’t make sense."
Christina’s mother Tina also admitted she was filled with anger following the senseless shooting but is now comforted by her daughter being "at home with the Lord".
She said: "I always told her I loved her…I just want her to come home and I want to see her…I was really mad, but when Christina went home to be with the Lord Jesus, I told him ‘I’m not mad. I’m not mad. But I want to know why.’ I’m just taking one day at a time and the prayers that hold me up."
And Tina broke down in tears as she remembered the last time she had seen her beloved daughter.
She said: "The last time I saw my daughter was on my birthday. It was May 25th and the day before, the 24th we had a mother-daughter – we always have a mother-daughter time. We’d go get something to eat and talk and then we went on my birthday – me, Bud, Christina and Mark – we went to Cheesecake Factory and it was really nice. And then they had to get things ready for tour."
Christina’s brother Marcus, who was with her and tackled the gunman Kevin James Loibl after he opened fire, also spoke at the public memorial in New Jersey, which took place following a private family funeral.
He said: "When the gunman came, he was very quick, it happened so fast, her arms were open and she saw Jesus next.
"Her arms were open for him, her arms were open at all times. I love you Christina, you are the best."
The memorial took place at the Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford, which the family had attended before moving to California to help Christina pursue her dreams of becoming a singer.
Christina Grimmie’s heartbroken family
