May is a special month for me, some reasons are blessings, while others are bittersweet. Family has always
been and always will be one of the most important aspects in my life. Over the years, the good Lord blessed me with two bundles
of joy. JJ Wade, my bouncing baby boy was born on September 22, 1972 and four years later on December 31, 1976 Diane Michele
Wade, a beautiful baby girl, completed our family. January 26, 2004 was the beginning of unimaginable changes to my world...suddenly
drafted into a club a parent never expects to become a member of...overnight I became a bereaved parent.
JJ died suddenly on January 26, 2004 from carbon monoxide poisoning. His death was initially considered to be
either accidental or a homicide...ruled in June 2004 to be accidental. Michele was the only person that could testify to some
of the inconsistencies with the scene that would possibly show homicide. The end of May changed the possible outcome of JJ's
death.
Michele moved in to help me raise his traumatized sons, Brandon--11 and Jamie--10 (ages on 1/26/04). She enjoyed
doing things with them and her four children.... Jeremy–11, Trent–8, Morgan–6, & Michael–3 (ages
on 1/26/04). She took them to church, fishing, swimming, to the skating rink (even roller skating with them...LOL) and helped
with homework too.
Mother’s Day 2004 was difficult without JJ here but Michele lifted my spirits with love and caring....
unaware of the unimaginable tragedy to strike our grieving family within two weeks. On May 20, 2004 my beautiful Michele was
killed instantly in a car crash when an irresponsible woman crossed the centerline.
Coping with the emotional upheaval that comes with the losses is overwhelming in itself but I try to focus
on the positive aspects in my life. I never imagined I would be raising children (grandchildren) at my age but I will always
do my best to provide a safe, loving, Christian home for them. We have suffered tragedies in our lives and we must learn to
live with the sadness. Even though my whole being (heart, mind, body, and soul) will always feel the ache of missing JJ and
Michele, I will continue to follow where God and my heart leads me.
