2023
When the world still made some sense, Before endless disappointments, I trusted in humanity, in community, Never dreaming evil could reach us.
I followed your journeys on the apps, Worrying endlessly as you drove-How small those worries seem now,
Beside the cruel acts that shattered lives.
I didn't know such darkness existed;
I only wanted to shield you forever.
Not a day goes by when I'm not proud-Of your honors, your dreams,
Your unshaken light.
Your beautiful face, your hair you loved to style,
Your boundless empathy that taught me so much.
And when the weight tempts me to surrender,
I remember who you were-And you keep me fighting.
Preston’s Birthday
I have no way to thank everyone for their involvement with or attending Preston Day! Nick and I had a beer towards the end of the night and talked about ...
Preston’s Legacy
What I would give to go back a year ago with all the excitement that surrounded his 16th. Busy schedules, celebrating, car keys, new whip, and ...
Your Presence
I hear your voice, comforting, “Mom, are you okay?”
Don’t cry.
A gentle nudge, time to get off to school …
A Long Road
Walking up the concrete court steps.
My eyes glancing up to the large brick building that reads ”Superior Court Maricopa County”.
Security standing guard.
Journey to Justice
Today marks 5 months since Preston’s death. I'm going to talk about our Journey to Justice.
We gather here today united by a common bond of grief and resilience, a bond that has only grown stronger in the wake of Preston’s tragic departure from our lives.
Always Loved, Never Forgotten, and Forever Missed
It is with a heavy heart that I have to stand here tonight. This has been an emotional journey that our hearts had to endure. No parent should have to say goodbye to their child and place them in the earth.
Just Do Your Job
On Feb 9th, my wife and I went to go visit Preston. About halfway to Preston's site something looked different. When we got to his site we realized his marker had finally been placed.
Goodbye, Bud
I took this photo on Friday Oct 27, 2023. Everything was fine. The next day I talked to Mae Mae and she told me about the plans that you, your sister, your mom and her were going to carve pumpkins and have chili on Sunday.
An Orange Bracelet
I want to talk about the Light of love and perseverance that this community has shown us and the Light that is seeping into the cracks of darkness to expose the truth.
To the Mothers
To the mothers of the boys who took my nephews life, Twelve weeks. It’s been 12 weeks since your boys made the decision, on a dark Halloween weekend, to viscously hit and kick my nephew.
Be an UPstander
This tragedy abruptly altered our lives forever. This has been a nightmare that we have endured for the past 75 days without resolution of the assailants being brought into custody for justice to be served.
Our Hands
My nephew, Preston, was brutally attacked at a Halloween Party exactly two months ago. When we got the call that Preston had been “jumped”, my husband, as the protector of the family, assumed the role of navigating traffic signals to get us to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible.
Light the Night
Tuesday marks a month since my nephew was beaten at a Halloween party. A month since he last took a breath on his own. A month since brave teenagers performed CPR on him. A month since our family got the call that would change our lives forever.