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!

The Natural Hair struggle is REAL!!

If I'd have known on January 1st when I decided to let my hair grow that I'd be dealing with hair struggles like I am now I'd probably not have done it! My daughter told me it'd be a tedious and sometimes frustrating journey but I figured I'd just lost 50 lbs in 2012 so this should be a walk in the park ... NOT!! My hair is a TYPE 4 grade of hair and as a result it has a 75% shrinkage rate. What does that mean? You will probably NEVER see the real length of my hair no matter how long it gets unless I stretch it out for you. *sigh*

I spent 30-40 minutes washing/conditioning/moisturizing this TWA (teenie weenie afro)! Who'd have thought??

It seemed with each step my fro shrank smaller and smaller! I'd just purchased some Cantu, new product for me, to see how much of a difference it would make. I'd seen this listed in a lot of Natural Hair forums, blogs and post so I decided to try along with my normal products. I'll definitely keep you posted on how my hair responds to it.

The end result ... I had to go back and look at my hair from January to now in order to really see that there is growth ...

I am now in that 'in-between' stage, that stage I often complained about when I was using the creamy crack and my hair wasn't long or short ... it just was! My daughter told me to find some hair decorations so off to the beauty supply store I will go next week when I am on vacation. That will be the next natural hair blog entry. This journey is REAL and so is the struggle!

IT MAY BE DELAYED BUT ITS NOT DENIED!!

I simply LOVE how GOD continues to show up, show out and CONFIRM!! I've been listening to Vicki Farrie's song CELEBRATE quite often and there's a line in it that has resonated in my spirit since the first time I put the CD on. It says "it may have been delayed but it's not denied" ... powerful words!! TODAY Bishop Zamekio Jackson spoke from 1 Samuel 1:8 about Hannah who so badly wanted to have a child and all she went through as she struggled to walk into her season of child bearing. During his sermon he used THAT line "it may be delayed but it's not denied" and it hit me and I HEAR YOU GOD and I thank you for my Bishop, Zamekio Jackson. Continue to use and bless him to do Your work Father.

I know this message was not just for me but for someone else needing to hear this as well. There's a 'baby' in you, a purpose the Father placed in you, in each of us that must be birthed. If you ask the Father to give you that of which you desire, your 'baby' in the stage you are in you must be willing to give it back to Him in praise, honor and glory for He is more than worthy.

What is your 'baby', do you know? It will come, just remember ... IT MAY BE DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED! Come worship with us at The Hospital Church, you are guaranteed to get a word. I leave with confirmation, affirmation and clarity after EVERY service!!

The Hospital Church

103 Century 21 Drive

Jacksonville, Florida 32216

Phone 904-257-3GOD (3463)

Email thehospitalchurch@gmail.com

Website http://hospitalchurch.info

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY EVERYONE!!

Being a mother is one of the most REWARDING jobs one can ever have in life! It does not end when you the children get older either, it actually seems to heighten. I admire my mother because she has 2 adult children, 4 children and 4 great grandchildren. I can only pray that I live long enough to enjoy all she has to this day!!

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things, and crushes down remorselessly all that stand in its path" - Agatha Christie

LOVE YOU AVIS FREEMAN!! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU AND ALL OTHER MOTHERS, BIOLOGICAL AND/OR INHERITED!

Life of a Vi Diva blog

Heeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyy my good people! I've SO been slacking on my blogs. I will push myself to do at least 1 blog a day BUT most if it will be health related so please go to my fitness/healthy lifestyle blog and follow me.

The address is: LifeOfAViDiva.blogspot.com <~~~ get there and I promise you won't be disappointed. The same great conversation I have on this blog will be brought forth on the fitness/healthy lifestyle blog!

I look forward to having you join me on that blog!

YES I DID THAT!!! =)

Mother of An Incarcerated Son - Happy 24th Birthday Dante!!

Today, April 9th, I could not let the day go by with out blogging a wish for a very Happy 24th Birthday to my son Dante, the 1st earthly male to ever truly steal my heart!! Mom loves you no matter what you've done as we all make mistakes and NO ONE but GOD the Father can judge us! I wish I could tell you personally but the extra money and card should say it all!! I am praying that you are able to enjoy your day in-spite of your current circumstances. Father please continue to watch over OUR son as well as myself.

I'd gone ALL day with no tears ... well, not since this morning and after a great time at the beach I came home to find a letter from my son. The tears began again immediately!! I love this child of mine unconditionally and it hurts me to know that there is nothing I can do about his current situation. As I had summed up from his last letter, there is something going on in the prison in regards to him. I told him before, the closer it gets to his release date the more the devil will show his head. Please continue to keep him lifted in prayer even though IT IS ALREADY WELL!! All prayers still required and desired. Thank y'all once again.