On September 5th-2003 that all changed. That was a Friday, September 5th, a rainy, awful day that I and my family will never forget. I drove my son Seanne to the end of the subdivision to the bus stop as I had done so many other rainy days. I gave him a kiss goodbye and told him I would pick him up if it was still raining after school. I spent the day at home with my younger sister, who had just moved to Florida. I was keeping a close eye on the clock, so I wouldn’t be late to pick up Seanne.
     Around 2:00 pm, my sister and I both heard many loud sirens passing by on the street that runs behind my house. I told my sister that there must have been a car accident close by.  About 30 minutes later, my doorbell rang. There were police officers and other people I didn’t know at my door. I invited them in as I thought to myself that I hope it wasn't about my oldest son Robert, since he had gotten into trouble a year back.
  The police told me there was an accident and that Sean was dead! I thought they were talking about my husband Sean, but they were talking about my son, Seanne. The officer told me that another child had shot and killed my little boy. I didn't want to believe him. I told them to get out of my house for lying to me.
     That was the day my nightmare began. The nightmare continues even as I write this. I lost my little boy whom I loved so very much.  I feel like not only did my precious son die on that horrible day, but the person I was died as well. My precious son was and will always be my whole world.
     My memories are now tainted. I know that I will not have a chance to have anymore special days to remember. I will never be able to hold my son in my arms, or tell him how much I love him. Not being able to watch my son grow up and enjoy what life is suppose to bring to him, makes me feel that my child was robbed and us as well.
     Why Seanne? He was so gifted and good natured and had so many friends. He enjoyed doing things with his family and was very protective of us, especially me.
     Seanne and I were very close, words can never describe how close and how much we loved and love each other.  Nothing or no one else can ever replace the loss of my son. My husband and I will grieve the loss of our child the rest of our lives.
     The only thing I can do now is try to make a difference.  Try to make this world that seems so unfair and so unpleasant at times, a better place to be in, especially for the children’s sake.

Jeanne Caroline, mother of a 12 yr. old gun-shoot victim.