I have a number of new readers this past year, so I feel it’s time to review the story behind my blog:
This blog was started in order to give me strength to get thru the murder of my youngest son Marc. He was murdered in a brief, tragic altercation in Portland, OR on October 16, 2014. The boys responsible for Marc’s death were caught within days and charged …. we were so blessed as there was video, confessions, that let us know we probably had the right guys. The young men had been homeless, had no record and there was no premeditation.
I needed to write so others could be informed about the weekly, monthly goings on with the defendants, court proceedings. I was also desperate to save my life, and make sense of things as no one among my family, friends had ever been murdered, and there’s a different kind of trauma surrounding death by murder.
At first I mingled entries of grief, pain with those of the case. I kept people alert with news of the defendants and court, and it’s been wonderful to get the acceptance of this painful life event from so many, I could not have made it without others support. The most critical thing for me was that we get justice for Marc, and that the right people would pay the price for his murder ….. and it couldn’t have happened unless we had the diligent work of the professionals in Portland! Without quality criminal justice experts a case can go a number of ways, so I share my gratitude for the good work of the detectives, D.A., Victims Advocate. After our first meeting, I felt confident in their handling of the case, a real joy started to set in!
One other thread in this blog has been the fact I’ve befriended the defendants in Marc’s case. They’ve been very remorseful. The main defendant told the court and I at his sentencing that he’d found God because of Marc! A reporter filmed that confession and played it on TV the same night, it was such a blessing to see how God was working in his heart, an answer to many prayers! I’ve had a chance to write him since that meeting in court, and am in contact with the other defendant weekly. You maybe can’t imagine how good it feels to see the guys come to terms with the case and make a new life. I just didn’t want them to have a horrid experience with the crime so their lives were ruined forever. I wanted them to know Marc would have wanted them to make something better out of their lives, so I share what it’s like to know my son’s killers.
Another theme in my blog is what I call Cultural Issues, which could be government, national lifestyle, violence, family and personal trust struggles! Our youth are also struggling like no generation before with issues like drug dependency, depression, homelessness and this is not acceptable to me! And it’s not just minorities or the poor who’re finding themselves affected by these problems but children from educated, well-off families as well.
My blog is about a real life. There’s deep pain …. yes! But also, justice, hope …. and victory over death! What if Marc passed but no one ever knew he was so authentic …. full of kindness and hope and strength? What if the public or the defendants never knew there could be forgiveness after murder, victory over ‘hate’? Healing after exposing your brokenness?
Do you know many people who are real anymore? Who share their hearts and lives? We often don’t even know what our loved ones are struggling with! At least you get some idea about who Marc and I are from our story, it may make you feel good to know that someone’s words reflect real life, even tho it may be a different life story than you may wish to hear.
Words mean a lot. Sharing truth in words is what makes us come alive, and hope for a better future. So even tho the story I tell is painful for me to share at times, or something unfamiliar to you, you’ll never be bored or think I’m a phony. And I hope you see the hand of God working thru it all!
I have plans for expanding this blog in the future, please stay tuned! Thank you for your support! You are important to me!
- Note: I use my own photos. I like to shoot things on travels to Portland, around town, off TV, old calendars, etc. I like that type of art vs. a drawing from someone I don’t know, who has no connection to what I’m talking about. I think reality is a good teacher over fantasy most the time.