Mother Of An Incarcerated Son: He is DESTINED for greatness ... I KNOW IT!

I can't begin to explain how happy I am at this very moment. I was finally able to see my son after 10 months. I hadn't realized how close to a year it had been and I must say I had an ABSOLUTELY wonderful visit with my son on Saturday! The smile on my face truly reflects how I feel/felt at that moment and now! I'm in love ALL over again with my 1st born, that feeling I had when I first laid eyes on his little chubby face.

It was April 9th, 1989 at 2:06 p.m. when this little trouble maker made his way in to this crazy world. Weighing in at 7 lbs 7.5 oz and 21 inches long he gave me labor hell for almost 24 hours. Upon arrival to the hospital my labor slowed down and *in Jennifer Holiday's voice* I AM TELLING YOU, I'M NOT GOING is what I felt he was telling us! I had an all natural child birth, no epidural so to endure such pain for almost 24 hours, worsening as the evening/night when on, was a bit much. This child had better be something GREAT was my thought because this had to be the work of the devil! He didn't want him to come and he wanted me to suffer ... 1 of the 2 happened because I SUFFERED! *wipes forehead* GOD showed me a vision when Dante' was 10, he was standing in a pulpit in front of a lot of people speaking. My Father has a purpose for Dante', that's why I know he is destined for greatness and this place he is in is TEMPORARY!

As for yesterdays visit, I cried but WE laughed, sang, rapped, and I had another chance to love on my son. I can't thank the Lord enough for His delegation of giving birth to THIS young man. As painful as this test is it's just as much for me as it is for Dante'. I've come a LONG way and I'm stronger now than I ever imagined I could be. Dante' and I will both have testimonies after this test and a spirit filled message after this mess! I am so thankful for the making of our visit possible because it almost didn't happen. This is not his final place and this 66 month sentence is going to make him a better person. IT'S CLAIMED IN THE ALMIGHTY NAME! Lord I thank You.

I'm just one grateful individual right now because things could be so much worse! I could be visiting a grave and placing flowers but my Father has seen that NOT to be so. God has placed some wonderful people in my life during some of what I've felt were the worst times in my life. They are not only blood related but non-blood related as well and with that said I have to show my gratitude to 2 of the most recent, Kayla, for getting me there. She sat outside in her car and waited for me the entire time and that takes a real person who is looking out for your best interest and heart. Kayla and Johnica ... Lord I love you for them and I love y'all!! I'm a happy mom right now!! He looks well, sounds well and was full of love, jokes and knowledge for good ole mom! It's almost over, August 2014 can't get here quick enough so until then I ask for continued prayers for us both. As always, thank you for allowing me to place my joy and pains on your shoulders through words.

Mother of an Incarcerated son - Zimmerman Verdict

I've been sitting here in straight tears as I deal with these depressing feelings since the verdict was given Saturday. As a 12 year resident of Florida and all of its high profile court cases it just gets to me that my son was sentenced to serve 66 months in a Florida State prison for the theft of a vehicle and V.O.P. YET Zimmerman can murder a child and get acquitted. WTF MAN??? I am in AWE at this judicial system .... Totally in freakin' awe!!

I am by no means saying my son is a saint, I know he isn't and he must accept the punishment for the crime he committed. My perplexion comes at the fact that there was no weapon in his crime nor did anyone get hurt or killed. How does this warrant 5.5 years in prison? Zimmerman, on the other hand, murders a young man who he pursued, he created the situation then shoots him in the heart because Trayvon decided to stand HIS ground. He admits to shooting Trayvon YET he walks FREE!! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN???

I know there is an issue of race in this case but right now this isn't about race, its about justice and fairness although no one ever said anything in life was fair. I can see, hug and speak to my son where the Martin's can not and for that I am forever grateful but it does not stop the pain. It's times like this that makes me wish I'd remained childless in this life.

I just want these tears to stop Father. These last 2 going on 3 nights have been filled with tears thinking of the life my son has chosen for himself and the time he is serving. I haven't and won't question You Lord because all things work together for the good and this I know. Dante's 66 month sentence is a part of Your work on him and I pray daily that he is listening and comes out with Your work on his mind.

In the meantime I'M SO DONE WITH FLORIDA and these U.S. laws NOT designed with 'US' in mind. Florida and its laws behoove me. It's so crazy how a dog has more rights than an African American citizen. I feel my son is truly in a world of trouble if he stays in Fl upon his release with his ex-felon record. I pray he will listen to this verdict and want to get out of the south. I am so detesting this state and its laws. I'm out of Florida in 2015, I am done ... so done. This is my first and last blog on this case, it's in GODS hands now.

Mother of An Incarcerated Son - Prison Life, time's almost up!

It's been a minute since I've blogged about my son as things have been pretty good and they still are. I received a letter from my son today that has me crying tears of joy and pain at the same time. He is now counting down his time in months as opposed to years and for that he is elated as am I. I went to the Florida Department of Corrections site to see his current release date, it was in October last I checked. As of today his current release date is 08/17/2014, that's a little over a year away. The time has flown by so quickly and I know it's been nothing but GOD that has kept me sane.

In the letter Dante' recently wrote he expressed how happy he was to hear from me, thankful for the pictures I'd sent and how, now as time is winding down, he didn't think he'd make it when he was shipped off to prison. He said on that ride to the prison for the 1st time he didn't know what to expect and on his 2nd day he witnessed someone lose their life by the hands of another inmate. He said he's witnessed several of these incidents while serving time. At this point the tears began to roll down my face. How does one come back from such sights? When you go to prison isn't it supposed to be a rehabilitation process? It seems prison is just an 'inside out city'. Everything that happens on the streets in the city, from murder to rape, happens on the inside of those prison walls. That's isn't rehabilitation at all.

What type of mind frame will my son have after this? I've felt locked up with him during this process but I have no idea how it truly feels to be confined to a small cell with toiletries you have to use in front of everyone, there's no privacy anywhere and you move when someone tells you to move. It's so hard to imagine the type of conditions these inmates have to deal with while in there. It's so crazy to think about how the inmates have to deal with the Corrections Officers and the treatment they give the inmate which depends on what type of day the C.O. is having or if a C.O. doesn't like you they can create hell for you during your entire sentence. I know some folk reading will say if they didn't commit a crime they wouldn't have to be there and that is so true but the fact remains they did, they are and it's STILL wrong to treat the inmates inhumanely!

The words of his letter shows so much maturity in some areas and of that I am happy. He has made it clear that he has NO other choice but to make something of himself upon his release because he has 2 beautiful daughters that need him out here more than the system (created to keep him confined) needs him. I stay in prayer for his emotional, physical and mental safety because ONLY GOD the Father can control any of it along with my son and though this letter brought about a lot of emotions viewing his current release date made it somewhat better! In a years time this will all be over and another chapter of his life will begin ... life of a convicted felon outside of prison walls!