Reply ID: ubv8

Mares

Your comment:
"I like hearing your hopefulness and I agree that we cannot give up. I will resist and protest, just as you have done."

Thank you for your encouraging words. I got to tell you: December is the hardest month for me because I lost everything. December was the last Christmas holiday for me, my children, and husband spent together. December 28, 1996 was the last time we all spent as a family.

Early in the wee hours of the morning, I found my son Joshua deceased in his crib, not breathing. It's like all hell broke loose in my house. Our children went to foster care, my husband, me, and my brothers were arrested, charged with felony murders and cruelty to children. No real evidence but just a bunch of circumstantial evidence. He said, she said autopsy. I think this is what happened, lies upon lies. The justice system failed us. When you are poor, this is what happens.

I often tell people to be thankful for what you have because it's always someone who has it worse. I used to take things for granted, but not anymore. I don't care if somebody gives me a bar of soap. I am thankful. I am grateful. God will allow bad things to happen to good people 'cause some of us were humble, always complaining, "Poor ol' me."

So as December 28th approaches, I went through a shock period because I am the one who found my child dead in the crib. It's only by the grace of God that i still have a mind. 'Cause all the things my family, my three other little children, my husband, and my husband, we have been through a lot. Only by the grace of God have we all been able to still have the right mindset.

It's been almost twenty years. Every time we are about to grow up on finding out the truth behind Joshua's death or getting our legal case resolved, we encourage one another. There is no time to give up.

My encouragement for people in 2017: we got to stop complaining and living in self-pity. Stop letting fear rule our lives. It's time to speak up. Get more done in the government and our communities. Get some laws changed. Everyone should be treated equally.

Take care, be blessed.

Jennifer