My son Joe was killed in a car accident. He was the unrestrained driver of a car that rolled five times and he was ejected. Since losing my son, my life has forever been changed. There is not a day that goes by that I am not constantly reminded. It can be as simple as a trip to the grocery store, getting plates out for dinner, a song, and most of all seeing boys and their mothers together.

I think if he could talk to me now he would say, “I am sorry for making you cry, mama. Please don’t be sad.” Joe was a happy kid who could always make you laugh. His presence could light up a whole room. Joe had a young son who will never get to know his daddy. He wonders why his daddy is always “home” and doesn’t come to see him anymore. Joe’s sister and brothers miss their brother and the one they could look up to. I will never understand why he chose not to wear his seat belt that day and drive so fast. I always taught him better than that.

If I could say one thing to the young kids out there, it would be stop and think before you act. Don’t think about only yourself, but how your family would feel without you. Your mother, father, sisters, brothers, grandparents, relatives, and all your friends. Their lives will never be the same and the void they will feel when you are gone can never be filled. Please don’t think that you are too cool to buckle up.