Featured reader comments

Nicole Santa Cruz's recent article about LaQuita Suggs, a grief counselor who had to find strength after the killing of her mother, Ella, has elicited strong reader reaction. Ella Suggs was 53 when she was stabbed to death at a bus stop in 2007.

Readers are sharing their own stories of loss and thanking LaQuita Suggs for her inspirational outlook. Following is a sampling.

From commenter Stephanie Castillo:

Thank you for sharing your story LaQuita Suggs. Special thanks for reminding us that it is “OK not to remember everything.”

From Richard C:

You are not alone LaQuita, and thank you for sharing your story with all of us who lose loved one's senselessly, and thanks for this blog that can bring us all together to share and try and cope with the grief. I lost my cousin Angelo 2 months ago and the pain comes and goes when you miss them. Stay strong everyone.

From Brenda:

Laquita, thanks for sharing. I have been reading this blog since 2007 and often wonder about you. I am so sorry for your loss and I thank you for your strength. When my brother passed in 2010 from cancer, it was a nightmare for me. One of the things that helped me with my grieving process was when I thought of you and your Mom, it kept me going. Knowing that I was not alone in how I was feeling and that if you could continue on after the loss of your Mom, I could. The loss of my brother was very painful, but if it had been due to homicide, I know it would have been worse. Again, thank you for your strength.

And on Friday, on the Homicide Report page for Ella Suggs, B Davis wrote this:

You are amazing. I say that because of the strength that you have shown over the past 7 years. You continue to be helpful to others and have become an expert in Greif and Loss. Even though your mom is not here in the physical, she continues to live through you and I believe that she is still giving you guidance. I remember how kind your mom was and how helpful she was. (And I especially remember how skilled she was with that sowing machine). Keep doing God's work and he will continue to bless you and those around you.

LaQuita Suggs, as LaQuita-Daughter, also wrote a comment:

I'm sitting here reading through all the blogs and it's interesting that I can recall what state I was in when I wrote some of these blogs. After the article posted about my mom, my heart started beating really fast -- as if I was nervous or reliving some aspect of the traumatic experience. Although, I was afraid I am very grateful at the same time. More importantly, I am sooooo happy that I did not die from a broken heart --  which could have easily happened. Never in a million years would I think that I would be at a place of being okay -- not the same as acceptance, but a sort of reduced emotional state. I just literally closed my eyes and I felt like kicking my legs as a semblance of victory within my storm. What does that mean -- I don't know really, but something like an extreme kick start into living -- without covering the suffering. Yeah I feel unmasked and proud of my scars. The Williams Brothers sings it best "bruises, I've taken my lumps and bruises but I'm still here."

— Matt Ballinger