The essence of Evelyn Dieckhaus is still present, preserved in the pink Bible where she highlighted the word “covenant” in silver ink, and in the radiant photos of her with her family.
It can be found in her journal, retrieved from the Covenant School mass shooting site, where 9-year-old Evelyn had handwritten a New Testament verse about maintaining sympathy, tenderness, and humility.
Her mother, Katy Dieckhaus, has assembled these remnants of her daughter’s memory into what she calls her “little Ev bag,” which she carries with her as she delves into the complex discourse on gun control in Tennessee.
“I just thought, ‘O.K., Ev, let’s go — let’s go try something,’” Ms. Dieckhaus expressed this week, holding back tears as she recounted her initial meeting with lawmakers. “Let’s try to help people work together. Let’s see what we can do.”
Ms. Dieckhaus and her husband, Mike, have seldom spoken publicly since their daughter and five others perished at the Covenant School in Nashville on March 27, 2023. However, they are now emerging at a time when Tennessee is deeply divided on the issue of limiting access to guns.
Despite pressure from gun control activists following the shooting, the Republican-controlled legislature has been hesitant to implement new restrictions on firearm access. Some legislation has been passed addressing safety measures in schools.
The disparity between those advocating for gun rights and those pushing for stricter gun control laws persists in Tennessee, which has relaxed its gun regulations over time.
In Nashville, parents of surviving students, including gun owners and conservatives, have come together to advocate for change in gun laws. They have formed groups like Rise & Shine Tennessee and Voices for a Safer Tennessee.
The Dieckhauses aim to share the memories of Evelyn and work towards preventing further tragedies. They have joined Voices for a Safer Tennessee to advocate for stricter background checks and secure gun storage laws.
Their approach is to engage in respectful conversations without disclosing their political affiliations to emphasize the importance of the cause at hand.
“We want respectful conversations to happen,” Ms. Dieckhaus said, “and we don’t want people to feel like they have to shy away from that.”
They will also cherish the memories of Evelyn, focusing on her kindness, diligence, and spirited nature.
“I have wanted to try to find ways that we can slow down the bleeding and such heartbreak,” Ms. Dieckhaus expressed. She added, “I have so much to learn still.”
