MILWAUKEE -- A Mother’s Day Brunch at the Astor Hotel helped spread the love to 60 women who’s hearts have been broken after losing their children’s lives too soon.
“She was just young and she was in love, lost in love, and she didn't know how to get out,” said Tracy Richardson, who just lost her daughter 40 days ago.
In April, her 18-year-old daughter was killed by her baby’s father.
Richardson said she wanted to attend the brunch to meet others in her shoes and to begin the healing process.
She already wants to help others prevent the pain and suffering she is going through. As a mother she wants to protect her other two daughters from domestic violence and any other women in Milwaukee who have daughters that find themselves in destructive relationship.
Richardson said mothers should not ignore the signs and seek help before it’s too late.
“If he saying he's going to hurt you or if he hit you before it definitely is going to happen again,” Richardson said.
At the brunch, across the table, was another mother who lost her son just 10 days after Richardson’s daughter died. Having each other to talk to helps.
“I had a son he was 16. His dilemma was that he was so caught up with the things that are out in society. It's more of a wanting money, more than what your parents are providing for you.” Michelle Strawder said.
She said she likes having a support group to help talk things through and process the grief she is feeling.
Right now she is a bag of mixed emotions. While she understands her son made his own decisions she said that stricter probation laws could have helped. Her son wore an ankle bracelet with a midnight curfew.
“When they're allowed that much freedom after coming home from an institution it's really unfair for the parents who are trying to go to work and try a rear them right," she said.
