My Hand In Your Hand Son

My most favorite memory of a Justin consistent 'gesture of love' through my eyes:

I love Justin with what remains of my heart, as you all know, so very much. So much that many times I do not speak of my wonderful gift from God in past tense simply because I feel Justin's presence with me all of the time. It is fine with me if you believe or disbelieve my statement; I know what I have seen and felt since Justin's death and these moments have been moving, unexplainable and undeniable!

When Justin was a baby I marveled at how tiny [6 lbs 71/2 ozs] yet perfectly shaped and beautiful he was. As a toddler I found it amazing how soft his skin was especially his hands when he firmly took hold of mine when crossing the street or for other reasons which required his safety. He touched my face so gently, caressing my cheek and telling me how soft my face felt; no softer than his tiny hand against my skin felt!

So many times throughout each year he would occasionally stop me, ask me to hold up my right hand, lay his hand against mine and check to see if his hand was growing! This occurred so many times year after years and yes Justin's hand grew and grew. Then one fateful day Justin held his hand up to mine and our hands were finally the same size.

Justin's hand 1992 4 years old day care in Charlotte, NC

Justin was overjoyed with excitement; yet for me his excitement was bittersweet. For as his mother I knew another chapter had ended and Justin would soon no longer be a child.

Even though this change was inevitable and coming too quickly from elementary school all the way through Justin's junior year in high school I would wait for him outside the school every afternoon. Justin sauntered unhurriedly to the Durango, opened the rear passenger door, tossed in his 190 lb. book bag, slammed the door, opened the front passenger door, jumped in, smiled that beautiful 'DeSha' smile and would say "how you been doin' today momma?" Then he'd lay his left forearm on the center arm rest, palm up, and I would lay my right hand, palm down in his hand, and this is how we drove home every day discussing the days events. [I KID YOU NOT] This is one of my many most wondrous of so many joyous Justin memories!

I miss my son because we truly had a special bond. All parents have special bonds yet Justin's bond gave me my first sense of completeness. My bond with Justin, my son, is like no bond I had ever had with another human being. As I have said on numerous occasions; "I gave Justin my whole heart and he never hurt it; not even ONCE!"

I love you and miss you and no one can take your place my bunny boy...your [devoted and proud] momma

Mounting Numbers of Murders In Prince George County, Maryland 2011

Prince George’s County Residents and UMD Students this is a CALL TO take your community back from criminals.
Being accountable and a PART OF THE SOLUTION is the only action in PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES lives.

Individuals together can create community awareness and a need for residential, UMD students, staff and faculty involvement in perpetuating a STOP to the continuing rise in violent crimes being committed in
Prince George’s County.

LIVES LOST IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH & APRIL 2011

# 1 Ansel Donovan Whitelocke STABBED January 3, 2011 58 years old. Hyattsville, MD
# 2 Clifton Antion Turner SHOT January 4, 2011 42 years old. 3900 Blk of Bexley
# 3 Larry Junior Watkins SHOT January 4, 2011 38 years old. Ft. Washington, MD
# 4 Mark Andrew Davis, Jr. SHOT January 4, 2011 28 years old. District Heights, MD
# 5 Michael DeAngelo Layne SHOT January 4, 2011 19 years old. Temple Hills, MD
# 6 Terrance C. Hunter DIED January 5, 2011 30 years old. Oxon Hill, MD
# 7 Maurice D. Valentine SHOT January 5, 2011 26 years old. Seat Pleasant, MD
# 8 Alejandro Marcos Diaz Vasquez STABBED January 8, 2011 30 years old. Langley, MD
# 9 Corteza Warren Livingston SHOT January 8, 2011 21 years old. Forestville, MD
# 10 Juan Aguilar STABBED January 10, 2011 25 years old. Lewisdale, MD
# 11 Justin DeSha-Overcash SHOT January 11, 2011 22 years old. College Park, MD
# 12 Clyde A. Rosevelt Howard SHOT January 11, 2011 30 years old. Lanham, MD
# 13 Alitha Mae Jenkins HIT & RUN January 17, 2011 51 year old mother. Landover, MD
# 14 Douglas Hodge Jordan, Jr. SHOT January 19, 2011 22 years old. Suitland, MD
# 15 McKenny Antonio White, Jr SHOT January 24, 2011 34 years old. District Heights, MD
# 16 Brandon Earl Baswell SHOT January 29, 2011 24 years old. Suitland, MD
# 17 Christopher Alan Trueheart TRAMA February 13 age unknown. Temple Hills, MD
# 18 Ralph Bernard Thomas Jr STABBED February 13 24 years old. DistrictHgt
# 19 Darian Michael Hintonk SHOT February 14 27 years old. Suitland
# 20 Aaron Patrick Brown SHOT February 17 24 years old. South Laurel
# 21 George Eugene Borden TRAUMA March 9 46 years old. Landover
#22 Unidentified male TRAUMA March 24 age unknown. Suitland
# 23 Paul Jason Bennett SHOT March 27 38 years old. Washington, DC
# 24 Brian Vincent Cooper SHOT March 28 20 years old. Capital Heights

+ 50 (or more) violent crimes have been committed by REPEAT OFFENDERS in PG County over the past few months!! WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO STOP THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE?
~The killings continue and only WE can take back our right to a crime free community & County~

Optimism is a powerful thing -- capable of transforming an unbearable situation into something tolerable. Unknown