On the 1st Anniversary of Michael Brown’s death I reflected today on the events that transpired one year ago, giving thought to the anguish, fear, anger and chaos that erupted from the aftermath this tragic event.  Not long after the turmoil began, I needed to sort through and deal with my own emotions of being a mother and giving thought to  the grief that Michael’s mother must have been dealing with after losing her son.  No matter what the circumstance OR the reason…her son was now gone.  I also thought about the large number of other mothers, who were also grieving over the loss of their children and the tears that have been shed. I saw Michael’s death as a telescope, zeroing in on and highlighting a number of  issues that were long overdue to be addressed.  The willingness to communicate and the desire to understand the fears, needs and emotions of our brothers and sisters of other races is vital and must be a part of the healing process for the community.  Some progress has been made, but we still have a long journey ahead of us.  I continue to pray for healing over our community AND our nation! I wrote the piece below, last year as a means of bringing healing to my own thoughts, fears and concerns about the state that our community was in.  I was blessed to be asked to share it at several community events last year and was asked why I never shared it on my blog, so here it is…..

A MOTHER'S CRY

The blood has been shed and so have the tears

Creating expressions of mistrust, anger, hatred and fear

Many answers are needed to the questions of why

a mother is left heartbroken...to grieve and to cry.

Violence and looting erupted...guns and gas masks applied

it cannot be forgotten that a mother's son died.

It's now time to bring healing for the whole world to see

How great loss can bring change to the community.

Many offer their judgements not understanding the cause

that things aren't always equal for us,when it comes to the law.

Why does it seem no one's listening, that they've turned a deaf ear

to the sobering cries of our mothers...year after year.

Large numbers of people desire to believe all is well

while those in the midst of the struggle view this as pure hell.

Is anyone willing to stand up for change

or is it easier to see those living in turmoil as strange

Please don't be fooled my friends for there are still issues with race

the problem is closing the gap and meeting face to face.

You hear many speak out about their discontent 

of the actions of some who may misrepresent.

Remember we were created in love and love knows no bounds

whether black, white, red or yellow, God's grace and mercy surrounds.

We must turn away from the falsehoods  that satan attempts to breed

we should ALL stand up in one accord to help those that are in need.

We must trust the word of God and keep our heads held to the sky

while we pray for the changes needed to help cease a mother's cry!

Copyright © 2014 Debora Grandison. All rights reserved.