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A mother’s tale serves as an example to all of how to overcome the most horrible events, and shows that, despite the title of her book, pain needs to, and indeed can, have a voice.
A Personal Connection
I had the pleasure to fly with Ms. Angela Ladson, the author, and a true professional, on my very first trip with Piedmont. The first day of Operating Experience was three legs of observation in the jump seat, ending up late at Manchester. During one of the stops, conversation between she, the captain, and myself turned to our children (the first officer (FO) was outside completing the postflight). She mentioned, almost incidentally it seemed at the time, that her sons had passed. I didn’t press and the discussion soon came to a close as it was time to get moving for the next flight.
The next morning, I saw her in the breakfast area at the Holiday Inn, and we chatted some more. We were not scheduled to leave until midafternoon, so I mentioned that I planned to walk down to Panera Bread later for lunch and something to go for dinner, and asked if she wanted to join. At first, she was reluctant, saying that she usually went to the mall on the other side of the highway and that she needed to look for a piece of clothing that had gotten torn. I mentioned that there was a T.J. Maxx near the Panera Bread, and then she was all in!
Later, as we walked 15-minute trek from the hotel to the strip mall, she told me about her experiences driving a bus and limo before coming to Piedmont. I told her about our house project and such. She was cordial, engaging, and we quickly established a rapport. We split when we got to the stores, and when we reconvened at Panera, she was happy that she found her item at T.J. Maxx. She got her food order and then we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the trip to Philly.
The first leg of the day, was another observation flight, the last of four, after which the FO left the crew and I would finally get to take my turn in the right seat. We had a “sit” of several hours at Philly, which the three of us spent in the crew room. I joined Angela again at one of the tables, where curiosity, finally got the better of me and I gently asked about her sons…
She told me the tale, and of her book, which I ordered there on the spot.
Senseless and Unimaginable Tragedy
No mother should have to lose their child, let alone both of them within months. Life is not supposed to work that way, children are supposed to lay their parents to rest for that is the natural order of things, not the other way around. Yet that is exactly what Angela had to endure, and from the most horrific and senseless deaths of her two sons in 2015.
This video was taken shortly after her first son was killed, just over eight years ago. Imagine having to go thru this twice in a matter of weeks. Her advice, “Cherish the moments you have, each and every day,” is well considered.
Her short book is packed with raw, gut-wrenching emotion. Angela writes in first person and conveys details of the gang shooting at a barbershop, where her son, Brandon, was an innocent bystander after the shooter killed his target and then of his brother Aaron’s death three weeks later in a related, and deliberate, killing. Her disbelief, angst, rage, and pain come thru in her writing as only one who has had her life shattered twice in a month can relate. She moves thru the whole experience of the next several years – the funerals, petty familial squabbles, the justice system, and the trials.
Overcoming
What is revealing, and what makes this book powerful, is how she relates her conversations with God as she tries, often unsuccessfully at first, to come to terms, with what has happened. She speaks to Him with confusion, anger, and on a few occasions pure sass, as to why He took her sons, and seemingly, continues to throw obstacles and challenges at her in the months after their deaths. Hers is a story of persistent faith in the face of what would cause many to lose their faith entirely; faith that the Lord has intention, faith the He had her sons’ souls in good care, faith that she would heal. There is a reward for her pain and, especially her faith, at the end of the story, when she begins to reach out to her sons’ friends. For her, in the most unexpected way, from the last people she would have thought, their friends show her the love of Christ moving thru them and the true character of her sons.
Although they were taken from her in the most grievous manner, her work as a loving mother was not in vain. They carried the kindness and love with which she raised them out into the world, which touched all who they came in contact with. And that love continues to ripple and radiate thru their community.
Angela is truly an impressive soul in the way she carries herself and has overcome the events of eight years ago. Not only has she written a book, which in and of itself was therapeutic, that is a poignant, personal guide on dealing with grief, she also in now, in addition to being a flight attendant at Piedmont, a certified Grief Counselor and Coach.
It was an honor flying with her and getting to know her. You can find her at her website, PainHasNoVoice.com and on Instagram as @justangelafashion.
Fair winds and following seas; rest in peace Brandon and Aaron.😔🙏
Namaste folks, and care of each other and cherish the moments,
Mark
February 23, 2024
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