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Baron P. 'Deuce' Braswell II

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Losing a child to a senseless act of violence

Date published: 3/6/2008

AS A MOTHER, I could never fathom the loss of a child. I had always assumed my sons would bury me. I was not ready to lose my son to a senseless act of violence. On Jan. 20, 2006, the unspeakable happened. My 16-year-old son, Baron "Deuce" P. Braswell II, was murdered.

As a mother, I was not ready to envision my life without my son, and my son without life. When I saw my son, he was not warm to the touch; his body was cold. He did not open his eyes. I was not ready to comprehend that his heart had stopped beating. I was not ready to let him go. I could not believe that my son's life was taken away by a senseless act of teen violence.

I could not believe that I would never be able to hold him in my arms. I could not believe that I would never see his bright smile or hear his deep voice. I could not believe that my son was taken away by a senseless act of teen violence.

Words cannot express the pain I felt. I prayed to God for it not to be true. I prayed for God to let my son live his life, and take mine instead. I prayed for God to lift me from this deep despair, and for understanding.

Those first hours and days after Baron's death were unbearable. I sat in his room, holding his pillow, waiting for him to come in. He did not come. Myriad friends came to provide words of comfort. I gradually realized it was not a dream. My son had been taken away from me by a senseless act of teen violence.

CHERISHED MEMORIES

Baron was a junior at Courtland High School. He was a great student, superb athlete, son, grandson, nephew, brother, and friend to all who knew him. He was No. 5 on Courtland's football team. Baron epitomized the Courtland Cougars' team spirit.


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Date published: 3/6/2008


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Gwen... (posted by RileyAllen , Mar. 7, 2008 3:32 pm)   
"The Lord's compassions fail not; They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23. I know firsthand how with incomprehensible grace you have turned tragedy into blessings for so many others. I know the frustration you endured with a legal system that often times seems disrespectful of the loss suffered. You have created a tremendous legacy for "Deuce" that will save lives and hopefully help young people to understand and respect each life. You are an amazing lady.

God Bless You! (posted by jmac313 , Mar. 6, 2008 10:07 am)   
My daughter was a friend to Baron at Courtland and she only spoke great things about him. God bless you and for being a constant source of inspiration to all of us.

Gwendolyn............ (posted by Tetchy_Eremite , Mar. 6, 2008 9:38 am)   
I did not want to continue reading when I realized what your letter was about. As a mother of 2 teenage sons (18,16) the pain of your story could so easily be my own one day. But I am glad I did, as you are a remarkable woman with a depth of strength I cannot begin to fathom. I will join you for the Run Against Teen Violence, not only for the memory of your son, Baron, but for the future of my own. I am deeply grateful that you shared it. Bless You.

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