Thank you Mr Cutler. I did not read the post but I have heard it all before. I do not have the energy nor the time to focus on mean spirited individuals. It appears the more vocal I became the more offended or sometimes envious some became but the truth is many many more have responded with love.

And 2 years later a city is now addressing youth violence through avenues of prevention. Two years ago prevention was waiting for the violence to occur and then jails and prisons. Death equaled arrest and no solutions towards preventing the death. No one thought of the victims family as suffering...Our city was focused on suspects and ignored the victims. That compounded our grief and is a contributing factor in the rise of violence.

Now we look towards social awareness, solutions/resources to prevent the violence. We are mobilizing towards reaching out to all people and that can't be wrong.

Addressing the violence is not a business for me---it is personal. I can not leave no stone unturned. It is not my purpose to offend anyone, I seek kinship. I feel as though I am suffocating in an era where the underpriviledged community is voiceless, invisible and often despised.

Through this painful journey I met beautiful, caring people who responded as doves of peace. I truly appreciate, respect and admire Gillian. Gillian lifted her wings with unconditional love to respond to the pleas of a broken mother. A mother who has a difficult time focusing on the education of one child when exhausted for fighting for the life and freedom of a sibling. I have lived a nightmare in Sacramento but I have found peace in knowing so many people care and will labor to save the lives of Sacramento's youngest citizens.

Many who are not directly affected with the struggles of the underpriviledged community are responding. They reach out with love to address a youth violence crisis and that overshadows any remarks directed towards me. I knew when I began I would be hated by some, I am prepared for that. See, when you are among the encomically disadvantaged you gain a strength...with all I have endured in Sacramento there is little anyone can write about me that will hurt me. I am numb in sorrow---the deeds of many have caused so much hurt for the underpriviledged community. The mean words of a few will never overshadow the love we are receiving. We are at a cross where wrath meets love and the good of all of us will prevail.

I don't have money...I don't own a home... all I have in this world and all that I value are my children. I recognize the life saved could be that of my own child and equally important the live saved could be that of a child who is not my own.

I love everyone, and while I am not loved by everyone; being loved by Gillian has lifted me to another level. I am confident in leaving my environment and speaking to those not affected and the truth is people care and people listen.

Through this journey I have met mothers who are Caucasian, Black, Hispanic, East Indian, Asian, Hmong, Mien, Lao, Filipino-- the deaths and arrests of Sacramento's youth surround all ethnic backgrounds and it predominately affects Sacramento's underpriviledged community.

Thank you for the kind words. Life is not without sorrow - but it should not be without joy because one anticipates sorrow. And I thank the Sacramento Executive for bringing joy to a broken mother who once felt she resided in a loveless city. Thank you for your love.
In the Spirit of Love
Rhonda Erwin