It has been four years since Jack Shockley was taken so suddenly and violently--so needlessly--from us. Four years to grieve and seek answers to a mystery we will never fully understand.
Losing a child, brother, or friend to gun violence is a suffering. It is a suffering to come to terms with the sudden loss and the desecration of a body held so dear. For mothers, especially, the body of a child is almost impossible to release. We tend to hang on. After all, they are and will always be a part of us.
It has been the love and support of others that have seen this mother through, especially the blinding pain of the early days:
The support of our Parish family, our Church, our Church leaders, and our friends.
The support of other grieving families and grassroots community leaders on the ground who are making a difference in young people’s lives.
The love and support of strangers offering prayers.
Jack Shockley was the heart, soul, and fun of his family and friends. His life made us better, and his sudden death calls us to ponder our own.
Jack’s namesake, Saint John of the Cross, had a saying. “Where there is no love, pour love, and there will be love.”
On that measure, along with so many others, our John David Shockley continues to shine a light on our path forward.
We look up to heaven and pray for the repose of Jack’s soul and the souls of all victims and perpetrators of gun violence. We pray for an end to all violence and a call to respect the dignity of each person. All souls are precious, and Jack lived that to the fullest. His sudden death is that wake-up call for us to live each day seeking greater meaning. To grow in love and service--especially for those abandoned and left behind. And in the Jack Shockley way, to have as much fun as possible along the way!
Memento Mori
Memento Vivere
Love and prayers as we celebrate Jack’s life into death into eternal life! Glory be to God!!
Very humbled and grateful to be,
Jack’s Mama Warrior