This week’s feature tells the story of a vibrant young woman we will call Angel.
Angel was a single mother of four-year-old twin girls. She attended community college part-time and aspired to open her own beauty salon.
Angel always dreamt of providing her daughters with everything she recalled was missing from her own childhood. This especially included a "peaceful and happy upbringing". She shared she was alone in this world, and never depended on anyone. She confided how she had been estranged from her family for years, and never let anyone get close enough to consider them a close friend.
“You can’t blame me”, she would say. She went on to share horrendous stories of her childhood. Each seemed to be torn out of the headlines or some complicated movie plot.
I thought of Angel recently, reflecting on the various similarities we discovered during the short time we worked together so many years ago. I pondered on how her daughters are now young adults and have their own lives. I also reflected on how Mother’s Day must have been such a challenging day for Angel’s girls.
You see, several years back, I was saddened to learn that Angel had been murdered. Her life had been ripped from her by a complete stranger with no motive, other than, she had been at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
As I celebrated Mother’s Day amongst loved ones, I thought of Angel’s smile and wished her twins a “peaceful and happy life”. As it was Angel’s wish and motivation in life, I am certain she would still want the same for them.
Today, let’s take a moment to remember and honor those that are no longer with us due to the senseless acts of others.
With this humble feature, Angel, I honor your life. May your hopes in life still come true.
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