January 5, 2025
I promised John I will say his name forever, and I’m keeping that promise… forever
John Leon Wilks
FOREVER 28
61st homicide of 2024
Murdered July 28, 2024
Solved
Offender arrested, in custody and awaiting trial
If you’ve lost a loved one to violence, please say their name below followed by the date they were taken.
January 1, 2025
New Year.
For the first time ever, I’m leaving off the word ‘Happy’ in front of this salutation because I’m not. I’m still sad John isn’t here. I’m not going to mask my emotions by saying what everyone expects me to say today.
So, it’s just New Year.
I have no idea what this year will bring and to be honest, I’m somewhat fearful. I keep thinking, will it be as bad as last year? I’ve experienced death before but 2024, by far, was the worst one ever. There is nothing that can compare to the death of a child, especially when you lose your child to murder.
I take a deep breath, calm down and tell myself, “Stop thinking so negative, Shari. Let each day unfold, just like everyone else in the world has to do.”
My mother and sister-mom would tell me this. They would both be proud of me for saying it, and for listening to myself and acting on it.
The new year also brings the “R” word: resolutions. Common resolutions include eating healthier, losing weight, quitting smoking, spending more time with family, and managing stress. Interestingly, the second Friday in January is known as “Quitter’s Day,” as many people abandon their resolutions by this point. I find this both amusing and sad at the same time. In just ten short days, millions of people go from eagerly hitting the gym to walking right past it.
On December 17, 2024, I made an early New Year’s resolution that I intend to uphold not just in 2025, but for the rest of my life. This will be my year of turning pain into purpose, beginning with the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC).
It’s heartbreaking that my son had to lose his life for me to find purpose in mine, but I am ready to move forward. I know it won’t be easy, but I genuinely believe that my hardest trials will lead to my greatest testimony.
The Journey Begins…
December 31, 2024
Today, I received a picture of my John’s grave marker which will be installed in the Spring of 2025.
Receiving this picture on the last day of 2024 sums up my year which has been the most excruciatingly painful and heartbreaking one I have ever experienced.
Whatever 2025 brings, I pray it will be full of healing, purpose, and love as my John, in spirit, leads the way.
Your death will NOT be in vain.
I L.O.V.E. you, son
Always and Forever,
Momma
#JusticeForJohn #stopgunviolence
December 25, 2024
It’s the first Christmas without John and my heart is broken.
I woke up around 4 am, walked down the hall to John’s bedroom, and lay in there for the next four hours crying. It’s been five years since John woke up in this room on Christmas morning but, at this moment, it feels like yesterday.
I know he’s no longer here with us physically, but I can feel his spirit all around me, especially now.
I close my eyes and see his handsome face.
Gone but never, ever forgotten.
I can’t write anything else.
Merry Christmas, son.
I love you, always and forever.
December 24, 2024
Lord, please give me strength.
This is even harder than Thanksgiving.
December 23, 2024
As we get closer to Christmas, I’m getting even more emotional. No writing. Just crying so I thought I would share a few pictures of John as a child at Christmas.
He should still be here.
December 22, 2024
A couple weeks ago, I had my little buttercup (John’s daughter) spend the weekend at our house.
She’s so excited about Christmas and was telling me all the things she wants Santa to bring her. She asked what I wanted for Christmas.
I told her I wasn’t going to celebrate Christmas this year in that way. I’ll celebrate Jesus but I don’t want any presents, and I wasn’t putting up a tree.
Her eyes opened wide as she asked, “Why not, MiMi?”
“Because I miss your daddy and feel a little sad. I just don’t feel like celebrating Christmas this year.”
She looked at a picture of John sitting on my piano, gave me a hug and said, “MiMi, we have to celebrate Christmas, daddy’s still here. He’s all around us.”
She continued, “I’ll put up the Christmas tree for you and you can help if you want.”
My heart instantly melted.
I looked into her beautiful little eyes and thought to myself, I can’t take the joy of Christmas away from her just because I don’t have it in me. So, we made plans for her to come over this weekend to put up my tree.
In the meantime, I purchased a few presents especially for her and wrapped them before she came over so, they’ll be presents under the Christmas tree.
We played a little Christmas music (The Jackson 5 Christmas album, of course!) and she went to work, only asking for help when it was needed.
Afterwards, we drank hot chocolate sitting in front of the tree.
I love my little Buttercup.
“And a child shall lead them.” ~Isaiah 11:6
December 21, 2024
In 2023 there were 151 homicides in Columbus Ohio, 85% of those victims died from gunshot wounds.
In January 2024, Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children launched a new initiative, ‘Operation Under Triple Digits’, to keep Columbus homicides under 100 in 2024.
As of December 17, 2024 there have been 121 homicides in Columbus Ohio. My son, John Wilks, was the 61st homicide victim this year. He died on July 28, 2024 at 10:25 PM from gun violence (7 shots in total)
While the ‘Operation Under Triple Digits’ initiative may have fallen short of it’s goal in 2024, there has been a decrease in Columbus homicides from last year which demonstrates their efforts were effective and these brave Mothers definitely deserve to be commended.
Let us all pray, starting TODAY, this year’s homicide number in Columbus Ohio stays at 121
Keep Fighting Columbus! Not ONE MORE IN 2024!
We’ll soon close this chapter and begin a new year. With that come a new motto as quoted by Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children Co-Founder Malissa Thomas – St-Clair ….
“LET’S STAY ALIVE IN 2025!”
December 20, 2024
In addition to becoming actively involved with MOMCC, I have decided 2025 is the time to seek some support for my grief.
I saw this post in the MOMCC Facebook Group today and immediately signed up!
“Within every individual lies the strength to rise above the pain of loss and create a life filled with purpose, joy and hope.” Grief2Hope
I registered for this free online 7-week grief program beginning January 9th and I’m ready to start healing one day at a time.
There are several sessions throughout the year so you can register anytime for the online session.
Also, it’s FREE, so if you’re interested in attending, click the link below.
December 17, 2024
2025 RESOLUTION
I’m happy to say I’m getting to know many mothers in the group, Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children, I joined last month, and feel like I’m fitting in. I believe I’ll be able to fulfill some of the promises I made to John via MOMCC, so it’s time to come from behind the computer screen.
I’m making an early resolution:
In 2025 I will begin to actively put my pain into purpose with Mothers Of Murdered Columbus Children
Violence, especially GUN VIOLENCE has got to STOP!
#JusticeForJohn https://www.mothersofmurderedcolumbuschildren.com/
