Manny was my only son for 17 years. He was 23 yrs old when he was shot in his neck on November 1, 2009. He was another innocent victim as we hear about more and more these days. He was married, had twins boys, and his wife was five-weeks pregnant at the time of the shooting. He worked as a barber and had attended college but never had a chance to finish. For five weeks, we took that ugly drive to the horrible trauma hospital to watch him struggle to live. His eyes were open, tears would run down his face but he couldn’t speak or move. There was nothing that I, his mother, could do to help him. I am supposed to help my son. For the first time, I was helpless. I couldn’t do anything except pray, rub his beautiful face and massage his feet, even though he couldn’t feel it. I wonder, did he know I was there? Did he know my heart was forever broken? Did he hear me tell him it would be OK, even though I wasn’t sure? Did he know I would have traded places with him in a minute. He is (was) my son! How could anyone hurt him? They didn’t even know him. They never even saw his beautiful face when they shot him. What kind of human being could do this? Not Manny. He wasn’t mean or bad. He was too cool. He loved his boys. We had no choice but to take him off life support on December 5, 2009. But I didn’t want to. I would take him any way that I could have him. At first, I thought he would have been in a wheelchair but he kept getting worse. I was so confused. He is my son, My Manny. I didn’t want to let go but I did. My poor baby. I know you wanted to be here for your babies. I know you didn’t want to leave but I know you wanted to live a life in which you could breathe on your own and walk on your own. You would be mad at me for being selfish. I did donate Manny’s organs, just in case another mom needed her son or another child needed their father. Maybe, just maybe, someone else has a chance. I still have regrets sometimes. I am selfish. I want Manny back. All to myself.
Tribute to Manuel (Manny) Roman
January 3, 2012 By 7 Comments
I remember the love you had for manny when we worked together years ago, the bond we each had with our child. I was so sad to hear about manny he was your everything. I hear you have some beautiful grandchildren. May god bless you and your family, may you continue to find that strength and love through you grandchildren, family. What I remember about you the most is the love you had for manny, he will always be #1.
So much I want to say to him and only him. We were so inseperable. Nothing could tear us apart. We fought argued, had flat out wars but in the end it was just me and him. I miss him so much. Every morning I wake up go in my closet and look @ your mini helmet and a pic of you and just think what if. Reality has never really set in yet so as I sit and write this I still can’t believe it. Manny you were my write hand man my blood my brother. Once I clear my mind ill make everything a little better. Give me some time kid. There is so much more I can sit and write but ill let other bless you and this tribute. R.I.P Manny I love you
I miss you Manny! You were always-always a good friend…..Thank You for letting me be one “of the guys” lol You were a great person to be a round…Miss seeing you at the shop….I cant even go there no more since you left. Thanks for giving me Twin Cousins—they are the best…Love you
Humbling words. As always, silenced by your beauty. You are far from selfish. Manny would not be upset with you. You honor him. So much has been taken away from you – stolen – in the most inhumane way… And yet you continue to give wholeheartedly, passionately, lovingly…tirelessly. Despite your agony, you blessed another family (ies) with life, hope, gratitude. Your words, as heartrending as they are sometimes, are both stifling with sorrow and a glimpse of encouragement. Encouragement to push past the bumps in life. Encouragement for those who feel the same over their loss…you give them a voice. Your journaliqngs make us realize that life is too short to spend it being angry, too short to worry about the small stuff, too short to get so devoured by our lives that we ‘can’t’ find the time to reach out to each other and too precious not to protect it. I am sorry. Sorry that he, you, Louis, his brothers, his grandma, his babies, his wife had this happen. I love you mi amiga. God loves you, you please Him.
Manny was one of the best people I know! I’m glad I had the honor of calling him my best friend for the years we were so close!
I can honestly say of all the senseless deaths I have seen occur, yours impacted me the most…. I couldn’t believe someone could do this to you. Why you?? There are so many bad people, gangbangers and thugs… Why did they have to do this to you?? You were a good guy.. Good dad, good friend, hard worker… I remember you always saying how wack gangbanging was! Who would have thought you would lose your life to this nonsense….. It isn’t fair that you’re mom and kids have to live without you….. You didn’t deserve this…. I hate when people say everything happens for a reason…. There was no reason that you had to lose your life, no reason at all!!!
I always think about the times we shared and wish I can go back…. Miss you always friend!!!!
Thanks for posting. Manny always hated gangbangers. Thank God at least he never became one. And Kysha, I also hate when ppl say everything happened for a reason. THANKS AND LUV U!!