Two years since facing the worst tragedy a parent can face, David Sweeney welcomes friends, family and even strangers to a vigil for his son who welcomed everyone, at the preschool where he thrived.

"Obviously you want to tell people you're alright, but at the end of the day you'll never be alright," David said Wednesday.

The vigil saw several people share memories of his son Rowan on the two year anniversary of his death.

"We reflect on the many ways he helped shape our lives and bring out the best in us," one said in prayer.

On September 21, 2020, gunfire during a violent home invasion injured several - including Rowan's mother - but claimed Rowan's precious four year old life.

"You know I'm watching my two little girls grow up...they talk about Rowan all the time," David said through tears. "That's probably the most painful thing about all this."

While the loss of a child is a wound no amount of time can heal, it has brought David something he never expected.

"I've found a lot of joy in doing what we're doing for Rowan," he said. "You find a purpose in life and that's what I have found, I have found my purpose and that is carrying on Rowan's legacy."

That's taking the form of a memorial foundation and ongoing efforts to build a park in his son's name.
So far, he and other volunteers have raised more than $100,000.
There's still a long way to the park's $800,000 price tag, but that purpose David speaks of is guiding his every step.

"I think God chose me for this purpose for a reason, you know, he does give his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers."

While David Sweeney knows he'll never win the battle against his grief...he also knows his son's legacy will ultimately win the war.