Mothers Remember Children Lost To Violence
(CBS) -- On this Mother's Day, prayers for those who are expecting, those who have children and for those who have lost a child to street violence.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports those moms are hoping to use their painful loss for a higher purpose.
At the blessing for expectant mothers at Holy Name Cathedral, Joy Fajardolu says she was praying, "to have a safe delivery and a healthy baby."
But at St. Sabina in Gresham, mothers gathered to remember their children lost to gun violence.
"Today is the worst Mother's Day because my son will never be here to share it with me again," said Christina Johnson.
It's her first Mother's Day without 22-year-old Christopher Johnson, murdered last month in Park Manor.
It is also Ebonie Martin's first without 17-year-old Deonte Hoard, an Urban Prep student killed in March.
"I want you to know his life was not in vain," Martin said. "He had his wings and he is standing and flying with the angels above."
In the courtyard, moms planted a field of red flags representing their children lost and amid the tears, praise for moms who keep on fighting.
"You've spent your life and your days when you could just be locked up in your house in pain, but you made a decision, I'm gonna try to save another child," said Fr. Michael Pfleger.
Balloons were released in remembrance and in hope that someday, every mother can celebrate like Holy Name's Regina Trevino.
"I feel very blessed," Trevino said. "I'm very happy to have my two beautiful kids here."
The St. Sabina remembrance was organized in conjunction with Purpose Over Pain, a group founded by Chicago parents who lost kids to gun violence.
Also on display was a quilt dedicated to children killed in Chicago. It's created by another anti-violence group, mom's demand action for gun sense in America.
