On August 6, 2009 my mother was brutally and senselessly murdered in her own home by two men during an apparant robbery/burglary attempt. We sat through the preliminary hearing which were the most painful days of my life. No one should have to hear of how the woman who gave them life and loved us unconditionally left this world with 55 stab wounds, 13 blunt trauma wounds, and was strangled on top of all of that. My heart aches not only for the loss but for the act in which she was taken away, 2 weeks shy of her 59th birthday. And just weeks shy of the birth of her first GREAT Grandchild. She was so excited and oh so proud, as she was of all of her six children... and eleven grandchildren. My mother was my very Best friend who I could talk to about anything. She had a heart of gold and would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need.

How could something like this happen to someone like her? And with each passing day, the pain seems to only dig deeper. People say to hold onto the fond memories she left us with. How? For with every good memory, it seems to always end in a tear as I can't help but for it to end with the thoughts  of the pain and terror she must have felt as she faced the inevitable, all alone. I feel so lost everyday. I no longer have focus or can stay on task to complete anything. Us six children are creating a foundation in her memory, "Children of Murdered Parents" , a non profit organization which will help ease the pain of others in similar circumstances. We are trying to make something positive out of this tragedy. But I just feel as though so much of me died with my mother that dreadful day as she lay alone on her cold bedroom floor. I just don't see this type of pain ever getting any better.  I think a person will merely learn how to cope with it.  It is unbearable.  I never imagined pain like this even existed.  But I will strive to make her proud and live my life as she taught.

She will live on through all of us though, as she would have wanted it to be. For she was so proud of her children and left behind a piece of her spirit within each and every one of us which we will continue to shine brightly in her honor. Visit www.inmemoryofcindyramos.com for further information and to honor this loving woman. This is the website I have created in my mothers honor and memory. May we all somehow find the strength to somehow make it through life as our loved one would want us too...with this pain which I now unfortunately know to be so real. It is the support of others and forums like this that truly can help in getting each other through our tragedies. Peace be with you all