Letters from 6th graders

Dear Debbie

Speaking of "choices", I was one of the fortunate ones who chose your sessions at the Rieger Conference in New Britain, CT on June 7. I was moved & impressed by your presentation. It was one of the best, if not the best presentation I've seen at any conference or training since I've been in the victim service field. Keep up the excellent work. It was my pleasure meeting the both of you. If I can ever be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards, Dave

My name is Helidoro Thanks for coming here today. Though I could not understand the words the actions gave me a big lesson in my life. I feel sorry for your sons. Thank you for the lesson you gave me. I will try and change my life because life does not last forever. Thank you very much. (This was translated from Spanish) - Durango Detention.

Dear Debbie
Thank you for coming to Durango unit 2 to share your losses with me because it really gave me the change to see where my life was going to and up at And how much that it would hurt my mother, and o5thers See I never took the time to think of how much I am "loved" see I have a child and I am really a child my shelf but for my baby to be took from me I could not take the pain. I would go crazy and to forgive the person that took my babies life would not be something I could do. You two (women) are the strongest and I mean the strongest women I know may god be with you two.

"Your friend." Akeifen (age 17)

Dear Debbie

I really appreciate you coming in and speaking to myself and my gro9up. I really understand now that life is too short. You have made me realize how much that I have taken for granted in my life. Life is too short too waste. I am deeply sorry about your son Brent's death. I would hate to have to deal with the pain of losing my son on a day to day basis. I do not think that I would be able to handle it. Hopefully you will find some kind of peace of mind in your life. Loretta your son's death must be very painful to deal with as well. You should know that Ryan love's you very much and he is lucky to have a mother like you, one who still remembers her son very well. I wish the very best to the both of you. The Lord will always be with you both

Love Danny

Dear Debbie

Thank you for coming to use to tell use your story's because what you said really got to me cause I Love my Mom and Dad and I would not want them to go though what you sent though because I know my parents love me to death and if I died they would not know what to do. So I just wanted to say thank you for coming to use because what you said really made me think about the things I was doing and made me realize what I was putting my parents through and its not worth it. So I just want to write you a letter saying thank you.

Your friend Trevor

Dear Debbie,

Thank you for coming and taking your time to try to help us. I just want you to know that I really appreciate that. And It has effected me deeply. I also want you to know I am very sorry about both of your sons. And wish there was something I could do. I am going to try my best to try and stay off drugs. Your presentation really moved me and made me think twice about using drugs. If some thing like that happened to one of my kids in the future I doubt I could handle it as well as you two. Well thanks again for coming,

Sincerely, Michael

Dear Debbie

I really appreciate you guys for coming and talking to us. I am sorry about your sons. Today when you guys came and where talking about your kids I started thinking how my mom would feel if she had to know her son died over a fist fight or a argument. Something that I could avoid and walk away. Your speeches really touched me today. My best fried Gondy was killed a month ago. When I went to his funeral his mother couldn't stand it. She couldn't and didn't want to admit her son was gone. When you guys where talking of your sons. I started to think how my mom would fill if I was murdered. If she had to pick a tome stone out for me I started to cry because I don't want to die thank you. I think no I know I'm going to turn my life around and stop gang banging.. And spending more time with my family.

Thank you your friend Armando

How Can I Smile

How can I smile when my heart aches
And I am lonely and sad?
Because my Savior has entered my life
And He can make me glad.

How can I smile when my life seems
A burden too great to bear?
Because my heavenly Father is here,
Awaiting my burdens to share.

How can I smile when I'm bereft
Of much that life holds dear?
Because, though earthly friends forsake,
My heavenly Father is near.

How can I smile when sorrow and pain
Are a part of my daily life?
Because a loving hand is stretched
To help me bear the strife.

How can I smile when home and love
Are taken away from me?
Because my Savior sends
His Spirit A comfort and guide to be.

And so I can smile from day to day
Though sorrow and loss I bear
For Jesus, my Savior, knows and loves;
I am ever in His care.

-Florence B. Hodgdom