When somebody dies, a cloud turns into an angel, and flies up to tell God to put another flower on a pillow. A bird gives the message back to the world, and sings a silent prayer that makes the rain cry. People dis- appear, but they never really go away. The spirits up there put the sun to bed, wake up grass, and spin the earth in dizzy circles. Sometimes you can see them dancing in a cloud during the day-time, when they're supposed to be sleeping. They paint the rain- bows and also the sunsets and make waves splash and tug at the tide. They toss shooting stars and listen to wishes. And when they sing wind- songs, they whisper to us, don't miss me too much. The view is nice and I'm doing just fine. - Ashley

THE DAY MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER

Somewhere around 8 a.m. Sunday October the 18th, a maid at the Atlanta Hilton Hotel discovered the bodies of three men shot to death execution style in their room on the 24th floor. The three men had been forced to the floor and shot in the head according to police. The victims were killed sometimes between midnight and 8 a.m. according to the Atlanta Police Chief. 

One of the men shot to death was my son Phillip, Phillip was 31 and a dispatcher for a trucking broker, he had made plans to meet two Florida clients Sunday at the Atlanta Hilton Towers and then all three were supposed to attend the Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints game. A game that they would never attend. 

My Phillip died a horrible death. Shot twice in the head. Phillip was only 31 years old. He leaves two beautiful daughters. Both his friends that died with him had families. I know their pain and hurt and my heart cries out for them as well. So many lives destroyed in just a split second by someone who will never know the pain that he left behind. Every night of my life I hope that in the morning I will awake from this awful nightmare.
Parents should never have to go through this, it was not meant to be. We are not supposed to outlive our children. It leaves an emptiness that never leaves. 

MEET PHILLIP
Debbie

MY BROTHER JOE WAS MURDERED ALONG WITH MY FATHER ON THE 12TH OF JANUARY OF THIS YEAR(2000).  THEY WERE AT HOME ALONG WITH MY TWO SONS 9 AND 7 AND MY MOTHER AND SISTER AND HER 2 DAUGHTERS 9 AND 3.  TWO MEN ENTERED THE HOUSE AND ORDERED EVERY ONE TO LIE ON THE FLOOR TOOK MY FATHER AND SHOT HIM EXECUTION STYLE THE OTHER MAN ENTERED MY LITTLE BROTHERS ROOM AND SHOT HIM TWICE IN THE CHEST BOTH DIED INSTANLY.  MY FATHER WAS A CONTROL TECH  FOR A STATE PRISON AND A BAILBOND ENFORCEANT OFFICER.  MY BROTHER WAS ONLY 16 AND A JUNIOR AT THE LOVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.  HE WAS IN FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL VERY GOOD AT BOTH SPORTS.  HE HAD BEEN PLAYING VARSITY  SINCE THE 9TH GRADE AND HAD BARELY LEARNED HE HAD MADE ALL DISTRICT FOR FOOTBALL.  TILL THIS DAY ALMOST A YEAR AND WE NEVER HAVE FOUND OUT WHO OR WHY THEY DID IT.  THIS YEAR HAS GONE BY SO FAST BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY TO ALL OF US.  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR  THIS ALWAYS 
PEARL MORENO

A MOTHER'S VOW

I'M MAD, MAD AS HELL! THEY MURDERED MY SON, JUSTIFIED HOMICIDE IS WHAT THEY TELL.

THREE COPS AND 12 BULLETS LATER, I HAVE A CHILD TO BURY. THE HATE NOW IS SO INTENSE, THAT I MUST CARRY. THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE SORRY AND HAD NO OTHER CHOICE... DID THEY SHOW SORROW OR DID THEY REJOICE? THEY CUFFED HIM WHILE HE LAY DYING....MY HEART SAYS THAT THEY ARE LYING!! PLEASE,GOD, HELP ME FIND A WAY, TO PROVE THAT HIS DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN. TO RIGHT WHICH WAS HORRIBLY WRONG...I NEED YOUR HELP TO KEEP ME STRONG. I VOW TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE, TILL THE DAY I DIE.....PLEASE DEAR LORD, STAY BY MY SIDE..

Sue

My son Joey was born Sept. 13,1971. The day he was put into my arms I held him so tight. I finally had a son. A son I always wanted. Joey looked into my eyes as if to say mom thank you for giving me life. I will take care of you my son for the rest of my life. you are my whole life my reason for wanting to be here. I love to hold you, watch you smile and laugh, take your first steps, and I was always there to grab onto you when you almost fell. I would cry when you did, and laugh when I saw you laugh. Oh my Joey, how I MISS YOU . I wish I was there to save you to keep you from falling when you were shot. To take you in my arms and cry because you were hurt. But this time my son I wasn't there for you because a killer decided to take your life, the life I had given to you. My son the tears fall from eyes I just wish you were here to wipe away those tears. I miss you calling me Ma all the time . That little word meant my world. My baby. One day at a time. My son.I know the light will shine and I will see you standing there and saying that one word Ma, lets go home. I will hold onto you my son so tight and this time my Joey I will never let you go. 

Linda
Joey's Mom

NEW YEARS WITHOUT YOU
I  STILL CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR GONE
FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER
GOD MADE HIS CHOICE 
HE TOOK MY LITTLE BROTHER
THE ONE WHO GOT HIS WAY
NO MATTER WHAT DAY AFTER DAY
I TAUGHT YOU THINGS WHEN YOU WERE A BABY
TO RUN AND JUMP ON MOMMIES BED
AS YOU GREW UP I TALKED TO YOU
HOPE YOU LISTENED TO WHAT I SAID
ALL I REMEMBER THESE DAYS IS LAST NEW YEARS DAY
YOU KISSED AND HUGGED AND BEGGED AND GOT YOUR WAY
"TAKE ME TO THAT PARTY, ALL MY FRIENDS GO!"
"I'LL TAKE YOU" I SAID.  IF YOU PROMISE NOT TO TELL MOM AND DAD JOE!
WELL NEW YEARS PASSED THIS TIME WITH OUT YOU LITTLE BROTHER.
NONE OF US WERE TOGETHER THIS TIME, BUT HOPEFULLY SOON
IT SEEM TO HAPPEN FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER.
 MAY GOD HAVE YOU AND DAD TOGETHER IN HEAVEN.  THE BOYS MISS THEIR UNCLE JOE THEIR UNCLE JOE #7. LOVE YOU FOREVER Mawea.. 

love  your sis Pearl Moreno

VIOLENCE

WHY DID THIS YOUNG MAN HAVE TO DIE,
THAT CAUSED SO MANY TO MORN AND CRY?
WHY WAS THIS ACT OF VIOLENCE DONE,
THAT TOOK AWAY A MOTHERS' SON?

BECAUSE….

VIOLENCE IS LIKE A WILDFIRE THAT SPREADS THOUGHOUT THE TREES.
ITS' DESTRUCTIVE POWER IS MORE THAN MOST OF US CAN SEE.
VIOLENCE BUILDS HATRED, CONTEMPT AND MISTRUST.
HOW DO WE STOP IT?  IT'S AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!!

TO THE ONES WHO COMMIT THESE VIOLENT ACTS:
LISTEN TO ME WITH SOME OF THE FACTS!!!!!
YOU TEAR OUT THE HEARTS OF THE ONES' WHO LOVE YOU
LEAVING US ANGRY, DAZED AND CONFUSED.

OUR CHILDREN ARE DYING ONE BY ONE
FROM THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS, KNIVES AND GUNS.
OUR COMMUNITY IS ONLY AS STRONG AS OUR WEAKEST LINK.
THIS SHOULD OPEN OUR EYES, AND FORCE US TO THINK.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT THIS PAIN AND DEATH?
PERHAPS,
NEVER GIVE UP ON A CHILD (ANY CHILD), IF IT TAKES YOUR DYING BREATH.
WE KNOW THE NATURE OF MAN IS OFTEN QUITE WEAK.
WE MUST DO AS JESUS DID, AND TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF LUIS
by Marissa - Luis's Mom
 

My Beautiful Angel Leniere
 

It has been a year since you were taken from me, and every day I say this just can't be. 

For the first year I was determined that you would walk through the door, But on the anniversary of your death, I had to realize that you walk this earth no more. 

If praying, wishing and denying could have brought you back, you'd be sitting here with your children on your lap. 

Your smile, your laugh and your crazy dancing we miss so much, Oh, how we long for your tender touch. 

It's so hard to go on without you, But I'm so grateful that God loaned you to me to love and care for if only for a few. 

When he decided it was time for you to come back home to him, I lost a son and a friend. 

You will live in our hearts forever more, And you will see me again when it's my turn to knock on God's door. 

I Love You My Beautiful Angel, Mommy 2001

Daughter
It was late the next morning
Before you got here
Welcomed by weary parents
Caught by Dr. Schecter,

A girl. Your love settled over us
Hearts’ inhabitant moving into our souls.
Our love enveloped you provident, ample
To sustain you until you got old.

Twenty-one is just full-grown.
Loving life in the bourne of your growing –
Summer night still early who could know
Run over, light smited, life stolen.

Our souls chase your soul. Anguished
Hindsight drives us to discipline:
Don’t you dare to step off of that curb,
Not before we can walk you across.

Souls panicked grasp after your hand.
Can you imagine what just almost happened?
Daughter! Oh. Oh. It happened…
No. But it did happen. It was our daughter.

Your delighted expressions remain after you.
You are twenty-one, just grown, just always
Murdered away from all your tomorrows and all your todays.
Be patient as our souls loiter close to the solace of your yesterdays.

© Barbara Bales 2001 all rights reserved

      "I  Cry" 

I cry not for you,but for me.
I cry not because you are gone from me,
But because you left me behind.
I cry because I don't know the beauty and love that you feel and see.
I cry not because I think your sad but because I am sad.
 
I cry not because the love is gone, but because my love for you is so strong.
I cry fro me because I wasn't quite ready to give you up.
I cry not because your not here with me,but because I'm not there with you.
 
I cry for me everytime I think of you.
I cry for all of thoes who love you so dearly.
I cry not for you,for where you are,
I cry for me for where I am,and that I am not with you.
 
Every tear drop that falls from my eyes are tears of joy and gladness 
that you were such a wonderful part of my life.
I cry because I'm not with you,to experance the beauty,the splender,
and the abundance of things so wonderful.

To know what it's like for everything to be simply perfect........................................
 
poem by:Nancie White (mom)
AKA walkinbeauty