My name is Tonya, and I never imagined I would be writing something like this. I am a mother who has just lost her baby to gun violence. My son was only 18 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him—dreams, plans, and a future that was taken away far too soon. No mother is ever prepared to bury her child. The pain of losing him is something words will never fully capture. Every day I wake up hoping this is just a nightmare, but the reality is my son is gone, and our family will never be the same. He leaves behind two younger brothers who loved him deeply. They looked up to him, laughed with him, and depended on him. Now they have to grow up without their brother, and I have to somehow find the strength to comfort them while my own heart is completely shattered.

My son was a good kid with a beautiful heart. He brought so much love, laughter, and light into our lives. Anyone who knew him knew how special he was. He didn’t deserve for his life to end this way. He deserved the chance to grow up, to follow his dreams, and to live the life he was just beginning. As a single mother, I am now faced with the unimaginable—having to plan my child’s funeral and find a way to lay him to rest with dignity. The emotional pain is overwhelming, and the financial burden has made this tragedy even harder to carry.

I am asking from the deepest place in my heart for any help, prayers, or support you can give. Every donation will go toward giving my son the proper burial he deserves and helping our family get through this heartbreaking time. Please keep our family in your prayers. Hug your children a little tighter tonight. Life can change in a moment, and a mother’s heart should never have to break this way. Thank you for helping me honor my son’s life. He will always be loved, and he will never be forgotten.