Re: Forgivenss

[Guest guest]

Carole, your son is a beautiful soul. Your daughter would be glowing at how beautiful and courageous your family is in your healing. His words concerning the death penalty (I believe personally) is the best way for both the victims and the criminal. To kill in order to right a murder is not the way to right things. I think most of us here in this group understand this concept. I've had my experiences with forgiving horrible acts even from those I love. It's the most difficult thing in the world to do, but it's the most necessary.Forgiveness is the

fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. ~Mark Twain

My love to you and your family Carole,Stefanie>> > Hi All,> > Once again I've been quiet in the group, just observing. But my son> sent me an article he wrote. He wanted my approval and permission> before it was there for the world to see. I know this is not a> political forum but the topic is forgiveness, and his words were so> moving to me that I wanted to share. I posted it on myspace as well. > is a political activist and has many causes and he does much to> advocate for the things he believes in. No matter how you feel about> the topic, feel his words concerning forgiveness. Somehow since reading> them, I've felt more at peace. Maybe I've forgiven. I'm not sure. > Anyway, here's his article. His name is Nixon. Love to all.> > > When my sister, Christy Anne Nixon, 26, was murdered by Richmond City> gang members on October 17, 2005, my initial response was anger—not> directed toward her killers, but rather directed to everyone else: my> father, my employers, my friends, etc. I cannot explain these> developing and misdirected emotions; such is the human condition during> a state of mourning. I was even angry at my sister.> > I did not want to believe that someone could have killed her. She was> charismatic, an artist, a waitress, and above all a mother. No—she> couldn't have been murdered! But as the saying goes, "a mother always> knows," and my mother's intuition pointed toward a crime from the very> beginning.> > As the facts began to emerge, my anger subsided. Christy practiced a> life of compassion and empathy toward her fellow human beings. And> although I was against capital punishment prior to her death, I realized> just how against it I really was.> > Additionally Christy's murder introduced me to the most tragic aspect of> homicide: collateral damage. Christy's memorial service was attended> by more people than I could ever have imagined. It seemed as if the> entire community came out to pay their respects. I realized that a> single passing causes hundreds to mourn.> > Even though capital charges were never filed against those involved, I> feared that they might have been. I began to investigate the capital> process and the facts. I found within myself not a single situation> where I thought it would be okay to take another human life. > Subsequently I developed a conscientious objection to the taking of> human life, even during war. I also decided to adopt a vegan diet> because if I was to fight for the lives of convicted killers, I should> not be taking innocent animals' lives.> > Two years following her death, I decided to step into the media> spotlight in protest of scheduled executions. I continue to receive a> lot of attention, and I hope that my efforts, while they may not save a> life, will change the hearts of others who have lost loved ones. I know> how it feels. I know it can be hard. But acceptance, forgiveness, and> compassion feel much better than hatred and vengeful thoughts.> > My sister's passing was tragic; it broke the hearts, and almost the> bonds, of my family. I saw the hardest of men break down in tears. > But, as there is always a silver lining to every cloud, instead of> giving into the hatred in my heart, I opened it to allow forgiveness,> love, and compassion to prevail. As Christy led a life of compassion,> so do I. And although forgiving her killers was hard to do, I have> forgiven them with all my heart. If needed be, I would have fought to> save her killers' lives. I will always miss my sister, but she wouldn't> have wanted me to live a life of hate.> > The death penalty is wrong, and I cannot reconcile myself with any> aspect of it. I hope that my example will help bring much needed death> penalty reform.> > > > > > > [http://x.myspace.com/images/spacer.gif]>

[Guest guest]

Stef and Randy,

Thank you both for your kind words to me on this subject. Stef, yes, my son is a kind soul. He's a very unique person and marches to his own beat. I'm very proud of him. He has tought me a lot during this tragic time for my family.

Love to All,

Carole

Butterflies are free........ Carole

From: Stefanie <diddiejar@...>Subject: [] Re: Forgivenss Date: Thursday, September 18, 2008, 12:34 AM

Carole, your son is a beautiful soul. Your daughter would be glowing at how beautiful and courageous your family is in your healing. His words concerning the death penalty (I believe personally) is the best way for both the victims and the criminal. To kill in order to right a murder is not the way to right things. I think most of us here in this group understand this concept. I've had my experiences with forgiving horrible acts even from those I love. It's the most difficult thing in the world to do, but it's the most necessary.Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. ~Mark Twain My love to you and your family Carole,Stefanie>> > Hi All,> > Once again I've been quiet in the group, just observing. But my son> sent me an article he wrote. He wanted my approval and permission> before it was there for the world to see. I know this is not a> political forum but the topic is forgiveness, and his words were so> moving to me that I wanted to share. I posted it on myspace as well. > is a political activist and has many causes and he does much to> advocate for the things he believes in. No matter how you feel about> the topic, feel his words concerning forgiveness. Somehow since reading> them, I've felt more at peace. Maybe I've forgiven. I'm not sure. > Anyway, here's his article. His name is Nixon. Love to all.> > > When my sister, Christy Anne Nixon, 26, was murdered by Richmond City> gang members on October

17, 2005, my initial response was anger—not> directed toward her killers, but rather directed to everyone else: my> father, my employers, my friends, etc. I cannot explain these> developing and misdirected emotions; such is the human condition during> a state of mourning. I was even angry at my sister.> > I did not want to believe that someone could have killed her. She was> charismatic, an artist, a waitress, and above all a mother. No—she> couldn't have been murdered! But as the saying goes, "a mother always> knows," and my mother's intuition pointed toward a crime from the very> beginning.> > As the facts began to emerge, my anger subsided. Christy practiced a> life of compassion and empathy toward her fellow human beings. And> although I was against capital punishment prior to her death, I realized> just how against it I really was.>

> Additionally Christy's murder introduced me to the most tragic aspect of> homicide: collateral damage. Christy's memorial service was attended> by more people than I could ever have imagined. It seemed as if the> entire community came out to pay their respects. I realized that a> single passing causes hundreds to mourn.> > Even though capital charges were never filed against those involved, I> feared that they might have been. I began to investigate the capital> process and the facts. I found within myself not a single situation> where I thought it would be okay to take another human life. > Subsequently I developed a conscientious objection to the taking of> human life, even during war. I also decided to adopt a vegan diet> because if I was to fight for the lives of convicted killers, I should> not be taking innocent animals' lives.> > Two

years following her death, I decided to step into the media> spotlight in protest of scheduled executions. I continue to receive a> lot of attention, and I hope that my efforts, while they may not save a> life, will change the hearts of others who have lost loved ones. I know> how it feels. I know it can be hard. But acceptance, forgiveness, and> compassion feel much better than hatred and vengeful thoughts.> > My sister's passing was tragic; it broke the hearts, and almost the> bonds, of my family. I saw the hardest of men break down in tears. > But, as there is always a silver lining to every cloud, instead of> giving into the hatred in my heart, I opened it to allow forgiveness,> love, and compassion to prevail. As Christy led a life of compassion,> so do I. And although forgiving her killers was hard to do, I have> forgiven them with all my heart. If needed

be, I would have fought to> save her killers' lives. I will always miss my sister, but she wouldn't> have wanted me to live a life of hate.> > The death penalty is wrong, and I cannot reconcile myself with any> aspect of it. I hope that my example will help bring much needed death> penalty reform.> > > > > > > [http://x.myspace. com/images/ spacer.gif]>

[Guest guest]

Carole, I bet your son is an Aquarius. They're usually the ones who march to the beat of their own drum. Thank GOODNESS there's people like that in this world. hehe Love you much woman,Stefanie> >> > > > Hi All,> > > > Once again I've been quiet in the group, just observing. But my son> > sent me an article he wrote. He wanted my approval and permission> > before it was there for the world to see. I know this is not a> > political forum but the topic is forgiveness, and his words were so> > moving to me that I wanted to share. I posted it on myspace as well. > > is a political activist and has many causes and he does much to> > advocate for the things he believes in. No matter how you feel about> > the topic, feel his words concerning forgiveness. Somehow since reading> > them, I've felt more at peace. Maybe I've forgiven. I'm not sure. > > Anyway, here's his article. His name is Nixon. Love to all.> > > > > > When my sister, Christy Anne Nixon, 26, was murdered by Richmond City> > gang members on October 17, 2005, my initial response was anger—not> > directed toward her killers, but rather directed to everyone else: my> > father, my employers, my friends, etc. I cannot explain these> > developing and misdirected emotions; such is the human condition during> > a state of mourning. I was even angry at my sister.> > > > I did not want to believe that someone could have killed her. She was> > charismatic, an artist, a waitress, and above all a mother. No—she> > couldn't have been murdered! But as the saying goes, "a mother always> > knows," and my mother's intuition pointed toward a crime from the very> > beginning.> > > > As the facts began to emerge, my anger subsided. Christy practiced a> > life of compassion and empathy toward her fellow human beings. And> > although I was against capital punishment prior to her death, I realized> > just how against it I really was.> > > > Additionally Christy's murder introduced me to the most tragic aspect of> > homicide: collateral damage. Christy's memorial service was attended> > by more people than I could ever have imagined. It seemed as if the> > entire community came out to pay their respects. I realized that a> > single passing causes hundreds to mourn.> > > > Even though capital charges were never filed against those involved, I> > feared that they might have been. I began to investigate the capital> > process and the facts. I found within myself not a single situation> > where I thought it would be okay to take another human life. > > Subsequently I developed a conscientious objection to the taking of> > human life, even during war. I also decided to adopt a vegan diet> > because if I was to fight for the lives of convicted killers, I should> > not be taking innocent animals' lives.> > > > Two years following her death, I decided to step into the media> > spotlight in protest of scheduled executions. I continue to receive a> > lot of attention, and I hope that my efforts, while they may not save a> > life, will change the hearts of others who have lost loved ones. I know> > how it feels. I know it can be hard. But acceptance, forgiveness, and> > compassion feel much better than hatred and vengeful thoughts.> > > > My sister's passing was tragic; it broke the hearts, and almost the> > bonds, of my family. I saw the hardest of men break down in tears. > > But, as there is always a silver lining to every cloud, instead of> > giving into the hatred in my heart, I opened it to allow forgiveness,> > love, and compassion to prevail. As Christy led a life of compassion,> > so do I. And although forgiving her killers was hard to do, I have> > forgiven them with all my heart. If needed be, I would have fought to> > save her killers' lives. I will always miss my sister, but she wouldn't> > have wanted me to live a life of hate.> > > > The death penalty is wrong, and I cannot reconcile myself with any> > aspect of it. I hope that my example will help bring much needed death> > penalty reform.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > [http://x.myspace. com/images/ spacer.gif]> >>

[Guest guest]

Stef,

Interesting that you said that. He's a Libra but Christy WAS an Aquarius!

Love and Light,

Carole

Butterflies are free........ Carole

From: Stefanie <diddiejar@...>Subject: [] Re: Forgivenss Date: Friday, September 19, 2008, 12:47 PM

Carole, I bet your son is an Aquarius. They're usually the ones who march to the beat of their own drum. Thank GOODNESS there's people like that in this world. hehe Love you much woman,Stefanie> >> > > > Hi All,> > > > Once again I've been quiet in the group, just observing. But my son> > sent me an article he wrote. He wanted my approval and permission> > before it was there for the world to see. I know this is not a> > political forum but the topic is forgiveness, and his words were so> > moving to me that I wanted to share. I posted it on myspace as well. > > is a political activist and has many causes and he does much to> > advocate for the things he believes in. No matter how you feel about> > the topic, feel his words concerning forgiveness. Somehow since reading> > them, I've felt more at peace. Maybe I've forgiven. I'm not sure. > > Anyway, here's his article. His name is Nixon. Love to all.> > > >

> > When my sister, Christy Anne Nixon, 26, was murdered by Richmond City> > gang members on October 17, 2005, my initial response was anger—not> > directed toward her killers, but rather directed to everyone else: my> > father, my employers, my friends, etc. I cannot explain these> > developing and misdirected emotions; such is the human condition during> > a state of mourning. I was even angry at my sister.> > > > I did not want to believe that someone could have killed her. She was> > charismatic, an artist, a waitress, and above all a mother. No—she> > couldn't have been murdered! But as the saying goes, "a mother always> > knows," and my mother's intuition pointed toward a crime from the very> > beginning.> > > > As the facts began to emerge, my anger subsided. Christy practiced a> > life of

compassion and empathy toward her fellow human beings. And> > although I was against capital punishment prior to her death, I realized> > just how against it I really was.> > > > Additionally Christy's murder introduced me to the most tragic aspect of> > homicide: collateral damage. Christy's memorial service was attended> > by more people than I could ever have imagined. It seemed as if the> > entire community came out to pay their respects. I realized that a> > single passing causes hundreds to mourn.> > > > Even though capital charges were never filed against those involved, I> > feared that they might have been. I began to investigate the capital> > process and the facts. I found within myself not a single situation> > where I thought it would be okay to take another human life. > > Subsequently I developed a

conscientious objection to the taking of> > human life, even during war. I also decided to adopt a vegan diet> > because if I was to fight for the lives of convicted killers, I should> > not be taking innocent animals' lives.> > > > Two years following her death, I decided to step into the media> > spotlight in protest of scheduled executions. I continue to receive a> > lot of attention, and I hope that my efforts, while they may not save a> > life, will change the hearts of others who have lost loved ones. I know> > how it feels. I know it can be hard. But acceptance, forgiveness, and> > compassion feel much better than hatred and vengeful thoughts.> > > > My sister's passing was tragic; it broke the hearts, and almost the> > bonds, of my family. I saw the hardest of men break down in tears. > > But, as there is

always a silver lining to every cloud, instead of> > giving into the hatred in my heart, I opened it to allow forgiveness,> > love, and compassion to prevail. As Christy led a life of compassion,> > so do I. And although forgiving her killers was hard to do, I have> > forgiven them with all my heart. If needed be, I would have fought to> > save her killers' lives. I will always miss my sister, but she wouldn't> > have wanted me to live a life of hate.> > > > The death penalty is wrong, and I cannot reconcile myself with any> > aspect of it. I hope that my example will help bring much needed death> > penalty reform.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > [http://x.myspace. com/images/ spacer.gif]> >>