This is a repost from a very special day with a very special friend, and with pics too. Doesn’t get any better than that, does it? This post was getting so many readers attention that I had to go back and read it again, and then I decided to repost it because of the way it touched me in all the warm and squiggly places.
To realize how far this child has come, what he has endured. To hear and breathe the honesty and childishness in what he says, and to see it in the way he smiles. Tyler is so lucky, and we are so lucky to have him back. The photos were sent for your pleasure this morning from Tyler, who is off to the wild west for a weekend of sun and relaxation. Go get ‘em, homeboy, and…
Peace and Blessings in all you do. You are an inspiration to so many…
Tyler lifted to victory in the front bucket of a backhoe, the day after his acquittal.
Tyler Edmonds: Today is a great day
Thanks to a fair-minded Mississippi jury, Tyler Edmonds has his life back. If you remember, at thirteen years old, Tyler was wrongfully convicted of murder. What appeared to be a corrupt criminal justice system, then flushed Tyler away as if he were just more youthful refuse that needed to be removed from society. Tyler was sentenced, at thirteen, to life in a men’s adult prison, with no shot at parole.
Tyler sets afire transcripts of his testimony the day the trial ended.
But justice did find it’s way, even to Mississippi, and Tyler is now a free man. And he’s spending the happiest holiday season of his life with those that matter most to him. Our hats go off to Tyler, and all those who came aboard to help set him, and our hearts, free.
Tyler says he’s a big fan of Stolen Boy, and we can tell you from our end, that we’ve made a friend for life. Thank you Tyler for all the inspiration, and your inspiring words below.
TYLER EDMONDS WRITES:
“Today is a great day…today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today I woke up and for the first time in almost 6 years, realized that I had nothing to worry about anymore. After going through the fire, and coming out on the other side unscathed, it’s finally all over. I can move forward knowing that because of this I am a stronger person with a character as strong as steel. Though I’ve hurt, I have also learned. And because of this I know that I can finally live freely. The world is at my feet, patiently waiting for me to embrace the wonders that lie ahead. Life is good, and I am HAPPY…read the story of my life, and as you turn the page…watch me live it.”
Tyler and mom have a mother-son moment.
This is a blog that I wrote on November 2nd, the day after my acquittal. It’s only a paragraph, but what it says and means is monumental. As Thanksgiving approaches, I can’t help but reminisce on the things that I have endured, and better yet SURVIVED. Life is such a fragile thing. It is something that we all too often take for granted, something that most of us only show gratitude for once a year on Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving for me will, by far, be the most meaningful, gratuitous Thanksgiving that I have ever lived. My life has changed in ways that most cannot begin to fathom this year, but that is beside the point. The point is that though I went through a lot, I am FAR from the only one who has endured loss by the hands of our fallible judicial system. There are many children who have had to endure, and many that continue to endure as I have. This Thanksgiving is a special Thanksgiving…it is a time for us to be thankful for what we have and who we are. But this is also a time for us to be aware and empathetic for those who continue to suffer; especially the children caught in the wheels of justice, which we all know turn very slowly. Say a special prayer this Thanksgiving for these children, and remember them all year long. Sympathy and good intentions mean nothing without action…join us in our journey and mission to bring awareness and CHANGE to the devastating events that occur EVERYDAY to the children that will lead our world tomorrow…
Live life with Passion, take Nothing for granted, and for everything give Thanks…
2 Comments
Heartbreaking stuff. It’s a relief to meet someone who is concerned about the quiet war against America’s youth.
My stomach was torn when I actually heard about the case 2 weeks ago (Jan 09). I cannot stop thinking what happened to Tyler. My heart goes out to your mom for Im a mom of 2 boys. Im sorry what happened to you and sorry for your mom. If you wrote a book….I would travel to have you sign it. Im sorry. I wish you could go back in time and change everything.Sometimes God will challenge our faith and sometimes God will have us at the bottom and we climb to the top…and only then can we help others. You were chosen to help others…Im sure this is why this happened to you. God bless you Tyler and your Mom.