At first she stayed because of the children. They were babies. They needed a father.

He was never a father.

Then she stayed because she didn’t want to go on welfare. She was embarrassed to be a single mother with three children going into the grocery store with food stamps.

What would people think?

Then she stayed because of her faith. She loved God. She wanted to do the right thing. She wanted her family together.

What would God think?

He hit her once. After that, he demeaned her, made her feel small, small, small. Told her she was stupid.

She started to believe it.

She didn’t think she could make it on her own. After all, she was only a housewife, a mother, and stupid.

To me, she was EVERYTHING.

She stayed because she felt sorry for him, felt responsible for his actions, and saddened about leaving a broken man.

She stayed for 30 long years.

When she finally decided to leave, he begged, he pleaded, he cried. He said that he couldn’t live without her, couldn’t survive without her. He said she was his only friend.

In her journal she wrote this:

“I have nothing else to give him. He will not leave me alone. I feel sorry for him. So very sorry. He continually crushes my spirit. Help me. Help me. Help me.

On May 26, 2010, the monster walked up behind her and shot her three times in the head. Not once, but three times to make damn sure. He then wrapped his arms around her and shot himself.

Our lives changed forever. The sun stopped shining. Darkenss fell.

More about Kay on http://myinnerchick.com

Shakur was gunned down on August 6, 2010, at the age of five beside his three-year-old sister, his mother and his aunt. This senseless crime has left a whole in my heart that could never be filled. Shakur, your spidey cousin will always love you, until we meet again…

THE LORD’S PRAYER FOR CHILDREN
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on Earth as in Heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are Yours.
Now and forever. Amen

At age 21, Michael Hampson was shot and killed. Michael had just gotten out of the Navy and was attending Culinary Arts School. He wanted to be a chef, he wanted to be a husband, and he wanted someday to be called, “Dad.” Now, all of that has been taken away from him. Michael lives forever in our hearts and in our souls. www.michael-hampson.memory-of.com

On October 26, 2002, Antonio E. Marquez was shot and killed as he and his pregnant wife stopped to help a homeless person on the corner of 21st and Western in Chicago. Antonio left his unborn child and eight-year-son. This tribute is for him: a tribute to who he was in life. But most importantly, I dedicate this tribute to my nephews and to all children who are left behind. To me this is not only a “Vigil” but a light of HOPE! “WHO WILL BE NEXT?

Shayla was gunned down on August 6, 2010 at the age of three beside her five-year-old brother, her mother and her aunt. This senseless crime has left a hole in my heart that could never be filled. Shay-Shay, your God mother will always love you, until we meet again.

SHAY-SHAY MY PLAYMATE
Shay-Shay my playmate
Come out and play with me
Climb up my apple tree and
Take a bite with me
Slide down my rainbow
Into my pot of gold
We’ll sing our A, B, C’s
And learn our 1, 2, 3’s

This is a tribute to my brother, (Captain) Scott Corwin, who was shot and killed in Savannah, Georgia on May 29, 2004. He was stationed down at Ft. Stewart with the Army. Scott was getting ready to be deployed to Iraq when one night while walking home, he was murdered in the streets of our own country. To this day, the case is unsolved. We will continue to fight for justice to make sure that the person who killed Scott is taken off the streets. I do not wish the pain and grief that our family has and is still going through on anyone. That is why these types of crimes need to stop. I light my candle for him and for all those who have been taken from us too early.

This tribute is to our son and brother, Phillip Christopher Jackson. Our Precious “Phil” was shot and killed on September 20, 2008 by a friend who accidentally pointed a loaded handgun which resulted in Phil losing his life. What a devastating loss of such a loving, wonderful, caring and respectful young man. Phil worked so hard in school and possessed an exemplary work ethic. He achieved so much in his 18 years with us. So many family and church members, friends and school faculty are still so hurt that such a Beautiful Person was taken away from us in such a careless and senseless manner. Our lives have been changed forever. We will continue to keep your life and legacy alive through Torch of Hope Consulting, Inc. We are confident that you would want us to help other families who have experienced the same unbearable loss that we have had to live with. We miss you terribly!! We love you so much, Phil! Mom, Dad and Aaron(brother).

My shining star and little brother Carl McKenzie Williams was selfishly stolen from us on June 24, 2009, all because three cowards wanted to rob him and earn status in a street gang. Carl was an aspiring rap star/beat maker and was well known. He was not a gang member nor was he a problem kid. Carl was about music and his sons. He was going to be the next best hip hop artist. The world missed greatness.

On June 23, 2009, Carl received a call from someone he thought was a friend and old school mate. The “friend” told Carl that he needed help and asked whether Carl would come meet him. Around 11:00 p.m., Carl showed up at the location where they agreed to meet. When Carl arrived, he was ambushed at gunpoint by two teenagers eager to get gang stars and status. Carl was told to give them everything and Carl did just that. He stood there hands in the air and his last words were ” Take everything.” The two cowards took his money and his chain and then shot him in the face. Carl said nothing and just fell to his death. While Carl laid dying, those cowards went home and continued with their lives for six months before they were finally caught. After a year of court, they all plead guilty and were sentenced to 15-years to life, 18-years to life, and 22-years to life. However, while they each have life sentences, my family suffers the worst life sentence of all: a life without Carl M. Williams aka P.CITY.

“Seventeen years have passed but it feels just like it was yesterday when the heartless gunman took your life.”
This is my sister, Carroll Ann Harris. She was 40-years-old and lived in Austin, Texas. She was gunned down in her own home, where she felt the most safe. A heartless coward used his power behind a gun and fired sporadically into her unopened front door.
Carroll enjoyed life and never took it or anyone for granted. She loved cats and children.
Now, she is in the arms of the angels.

Brett Curlee, 36, was selfishly taken from the ones who loved him on March 6, 2001. Brett was a kind hearted person who left an impression on everyone he met. He was the type of person that would give you the shirt off of his back. Unfortunately, his kind spirit and helping manner led him to be a target for murder. Evil found him and robbed us, his family, of someone we loved so dearly. Life has never been the same. Not only did those evil individuals take him but they took a piece of all of us too.

Our first loving son Terrell Marquis’ Bosley was born on January 5, 1988, and was murdered on April 4, 2006 while coming out of a church. Terrell came out of the church to help his friend get drums out of a car when someone came by shooting at a car and shot my innocent son Terrell. Terrell’s life was ended at the age of 18. Terrell was an awesome son and a left handed gospel bass player who taught himself how to play. Terrell had the opportunity to play for many famous gospel artists. One of his dreams was to become a famous gospel bass player and travel around the world. But this was ended when someone came by shooting with a 45 caliber, and shot my son. Terrell stumbled back into the church for help, but later died. Terrell’s murder remains unsolved because of the “code of silence.” Many people drove by on one of the busiest streets in Chicago and witnessed the crime but kept driving and remained silent. I am hoping that someone comes forward so that we can get the person who stole Terrell’s life off the street before that individual destroys another innocent life and family. Terrell was very loveable and he loved his family. Terrell was my best friend. He did not deserve to die tragically. He was in his first year of college and had a part-time job along with playing the bass guitar for different churches and artists. This kept Terrell very busy. Terrell’s death has devastated our family. Not a day that goes by that I do not miss and think about Terrell. Even though it has been five years, the terrible pain remains the same. No mother should ever have to bury their child. Terrell was a great son who cared for others and loved his mother. The pain of losing a son to gun violence is horrific. This is a pain that no mother or parent should ever have to feel. So every day I work along with Saint Sabina Safety Net Works and Purpose Over Pain (co-founder) and other preventative violence groups working to provide safe havens and directions for youth. Our hope is to end this senseless violence that is taking the lives of our youth every day. We don’t want any more mothers to experience the pain of losing a child. Purpose Over Pain also offers support to parents who end up in this unfortunate situation. Our mission is to End Gun Violence Over Living with the Pain.

This tribute is to my sister, Barbara Lund. On Aug. 5, 2012, it will 20 years since her estranged husband shot her to death in a moment of rage and depression during a contentious divorce. It was so unexpected since my now deceased ex brother-in-law fit the description of someone who one would not have thought could shoot someone. I have found that that is often the case in domestic shootings. It can happen to anyone.

Barbara was a beautiful woman- full of life. She was an artist. She was a skilled and daring skiier. She was a tennis player. She was a pilot. She was a risk taker and had a vivacious and assertive personality. She had three children- one by her estranged husband and two from a previous marriage. Barbara was a loving mother and stepmother to her children and to the children from the first marriage of the man who shot her. These adult children now have children of their own. They love each other and have stayed close as a family in spite of the tragedy that could have torn them apart. It is my sister’s amazing spirit that has kept them all together as a family. My sister would have wanted it that way.

Barbara was my older sister who lost her only daughter in a drowning accident when she was only 14 months old. My own daughter was just three-months old when this happened and never knew her cousin. The relationship between my sister and my daughter was special — in part because of the tragic loss of her own little girl. She lost her only aunt that day fateful day in August of 1992. I lost my only sister.

As a result of my sister’s shooting, I have been involved in gun violence prevention efforts and know that she would be proud of my work to keep other families from the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one so violently. Guns are not the answer. When guns are in the home, there is a good chance they will be used to harm a loved one or a friend. When there are family difficulties, mental illness, domestic disputes, drugs or alcohol use, anger, etc. guns can be used to “solve a problem.” My sister’s murder is a prime example of how quickly and easily one person’s life can be snuffed out.

Dawn was gunned down on August 6, 2010 beside her three-year-old daughter, five-year-old son, and her sister-in-law.
Last winter as the snow fell, I remembered you racing us to the top of the big hill to slide down on our homemade sleds. I will always miss you Dawn Beezy. There’s not a day that you are not on my mind. Until we meet on that big hill in Heaven, I love you.

—–

My dear Sister,
There is never a day that goes by
that I don’t think of you.
I miss you so terribly.
Dying so suddenly left a hole in my heart.
I never got to say that final good-bye
and tell you how much I loved you.

I am here another year without my son, Derrick White. His birthday is 1/6/1973. Every year since his death, it gets harder. My son was gunned down in the streets of Philadelphia. In 1993, Derrick was shot in the back as he ran away from the shooter. People say time heals, but it’s not true. If that were true, then why have these vigils? I have tried to attend these events, and I follow the web sites for gun control but things have not change. In my world, you can still buy a gun on a street corner. I am a mother who will never heal.