A Grandmother's Story
We were like two peas in a pod, I was his Donna and he was my best! Jorden wasn’t your typical 21-year-old, the most important things in his life were family and sleep! Instead of going out, he preferred spending time at home or with friends. Success was a word I taught him early, he knew through hard work in every area of his life that success would be his. He had dreams and hopes for a happy future filled with love and family, and to eventually own the family sub shop.
In an act of domestic violence his dreams and my dreams of dancing at his wedding, holding my first great-grandchild, and growing old with him by my side, were ended by a coward with a gun. In that second my world was shattered and I couldn’t get to his mother, my daughter quick enough.
Many people say there’s nothing worse than losing a child and I’m sure they are right but losing a grandson and watching your child suffering from immeasurable grief is more than anyone can imagine. I rocked her in my arms for days, I held her hand as she slept and wiped away enough tears to fill an ocean, all the while drowning in my own loss for the amazing man that I called my Angel.
It’s been six of the longest months of my life, I’m proud of his parents, who continue to live their lives without him. Jorden was a light shining brighter than anyone knew, with your support the Flashlight Foundation will be a success!
![jorden and goa jorden and goa](https://flashlightfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/jorden-and-goa-1.jpeg)
A Mother’s Story
I won the worst lottery in life-flashing lights and two detectives knocking on my door at 4:30 am. A mother's child is a gift and gun violence just took mine away. I remember what pajamas I had on and every detail of that moment, how I fell to my knees, the scream that racked my whole body and the dreams that ended in that second. The pain felt as if my heart had been ripped apart and breathing was impossible. All I wanted to do was run to Jorden wherever he was, cradle him in my arms and tell him how much I loved him and that I was there. In the next few minutes I remember telling my younger son that his brother was never coming home again and then began the phone calls no one wants to make.
At the beginning you just keep thinking this is a nightmare and soon you will wake up. Then as reality sets in, you know this is not a nightmare but something you have to face the rest of your life . Next comes feelings of anger, which they say suppresses the grief, and in those moments of rage it does, but quickly you’re right back where you started, grieving a loss that in your wildest dreams you could not have imagined.
Today Jorden will be gone for six months. I’m looking for that glimmer of hope, hope for the day in which the moments that bring me to tears will somehow turn into happy memories. The Flashlight Foundation is my seed of hope, hope that mothers will stop going through those first moments and can continue to live the dreams of a future with their child.
![Flashlight Foundation Flashlight Foundation](https://flashlightfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/700F32BE-81E5-4355-A53B-1562D98AEE4C-scaled.jpeg)
About Us
![About Flashlight Foundation](https://flashlightfoundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/About.jpg)
Our Team
Our amazing team is committed to helping the families of the Pittsburgh and Allegheny County area, who are suffering from the impact of gun violence.
Nicole Davies
Christina Gould
Kyla Sims
Cynthia Slogan
Volunteers: We feel blessed to have so many families and friends immediately step forward to offer their support through our toughest days, they continue to stand strongly by our side to make The Flashlight Foundation as amazing as Jorden