RIP Pepe

Picture taken by Fernando Cisneros Garcia

Monday night we were out playing catch.  And we heard the sirens.  And then more sirens.  And then more sirens.  And More.  I scanned the horizon looking for smoke. Seemed like a lot of sirens.  Figured I would find out what it was later.
That night when we settled in, I went online and discovered that all the sirens were for Pepe.  He was in critical condition and had been rushed to the hospital.  Seems his mom's boyfriend had done something.  Details, naturally, were sketchy at that point.
Yesterday morning once online I saw where Pepe had died.  Pepe was three years-old.  From his pictures he had a great smile and was a very handsome little boy.  He lived about eight blocks from us.  And now he is gone.  We will never know all the details of what led to that fateful day for that family.  People will blame the boyfriend, as is right.  People will blame the mom for placing the boy in that situation, which may or may not be right.  She paid a horrible price.  People will blame the system.  People will just blame.  And nothing is going to bring that sunny faced boy back.
It made me so incredibly sad.  I kept hugging the littles all day.  Made me so appreciative that they were here and okay.  It reiterated my stance of being a single parent and responsible for myself and the littles.  And there are days I wish for a lot of help.  But if it isn't Papa........I'm not putting them in that kind of situation.  I already know how much work my littles can be.  I know how many buttons they can push. You never know what will push someone over the breaking point.
My position is my position.  I'm sure Pepe's mom never intended for him to die. I'm sure she didn't think the situation she was in would turn this ugly.  The difference between us is age and experience and chance and luck or bad luck.  My heart breaks for her and her precious little boy.
The good that always come from bad is that maybe the rest of us appreciate what we have at least for a moment.  There is no good for that Mama.
RIP Pepe.  May light and love follow you wherever you go.