Taya Kyle, the widow of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, has traveled to California to attend the Oscars ceremony Sunday evening. The movie American Sniper, based on her husband’s autobiography of the same name, has been nominated for several awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Bradley Cooper.
Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were killed on February 2, 2013, by Eddie Ray Routh, a troubled veteran who they were trying to help. Routh has admitted to the killings, but has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and his trial is expected to wrap up next week.
Kyle posted a message Sunday afternoon on the Honor Chris Kyle Facebook page, along with two photos, thanking her fans for their support, and sharing her thoughts as she prepares to attend tonight’s festivities. In the message, Kyle describes her stress and exhaustion as the trial continues, and thanks Warner Brothers for not only flying her to attend the ceremony, but providing a dress and accessories to wear.
“I didn’t think I had the energy to show up at the Oscars, let alone be presentable,” writes Kyle, thanking Warner Brothers for being the “fairy Godmother” to her Cinderella. Kyle continues that she knows that this is “sure to be an emotional evening” but that she is proud to be there “[t]o represent my husband, military families and the beautiful people who put more than they had to to make this movie happen.”
The full text of Taya Kyle’s message:
So, I am always real with you. Today is no different. If I haven’t scared you with the horrific way I look rolling out of bed sleeping with my sweater and work out pants on…I am on a balcony trying to get some fresh air and taking advice of friends to just breathe.
I have a pounding headache and woke up from intermittently sleeping and having nightmares about the evils of the world.
And yet, I am in beautiful Southern California courtesy of Warner Brothers who have been exceptional to work with in every aspect. Turns out they are like the fairy GodMother for a regular woman who has kids, a murder trial for her beloved and dear friend and am honestly exhausted.
I don’t like whining and I believe in the power of recognizing blessings even when the chips are down.
I wanted to support everyone who made this movie representing real veteran families, but I didn’t think I had the energy to show up at the Oscars, let alone be presentable. So, I find myself in a surreal position…like Cinderella who scrubs the floors but has a fairy Godmother (Warner Brothers) who got me on a plane and had a dress and jewelry and even the shoes and spanx waiting for me…And so it is. I am here. To represent my husband, military families and the beautiful people who put more than they had to to make this movie happen. I have a red eye flight scheduled to get me back for the trial on Monday morning. I am praying the impending ice storm in Texas doesn’t inhibit a safe trip home.
I hope I look better for the evening tonight. I am blessed to have my beautiful loving sister with me to hold my hand and dry my tears from what is sure to be an emotional evening.
It’s by the Grace of God and the support of people like you who literally give me the energy to get out of bed each day and see the beauty through the ashes of my life.
I hope the same for all of you. We all struggle and we all have to find the strength to fight another day. I know I am not alone. The details may be different but our stories of fighting on, finding the strength to help ourselves and accepting the help of others when we can … Our constant fight to get on a path to renewal is always common ground – it’s the human condition.
God Bless you all.
United We Stand.
Taya
Micah 6:8
Routh’s trial is scheduled to resume on Monday, with closing arguments from both sides. Jury deliberations will begin after that, most likely on Monday afternoon. Taya Kyle has attended every day of the trial proceedings. Breitbart Texas will continue to follow this story.
Follow Sarah Rumpf on Twitter @rumpfshaker.