MATRIMONY

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"STAND" by Donnie Mcclurkin filled the church as the people who were seated in the pews stood up and turned towards the door. Sniffles of many filled the room as the parents of the heavenly angel walked in arm in arm broken and exhausted. Their eyes were blank but the hurt that was ridden so deeply within them showed bright as day. Everyone admired the two as they made their way down the middle path of the church, approaching the child who was now with the lord. Their strength was admired by many, but the closer the two got to the small casket, the weaker they felt.

Her knees went weak as they reached about the middle of the church. A loud wail escaped her red lips that came from so deep inside, it almost sounded like a roar. With an aching throat and burning eyes he caught her, shaking his head to hold back the pain. To stay strong for her and their baby girl.

"Let it out baby" a voice from the crowd shouted over the music, and he recognized the comforting voice immediately. His mother's voice made the tears fall down his face and he didn't bother to wipe his tears. She held onto him so tight as they got closer and her baby came into her sight. Her wails never ceased and each step she took was wobbly and broken.

The people in the church couldn't help but cry right along with the young parents. Losing a child was an unbearable pain. Something you could never come to terms with. A pain not even your worst enemy would wish on you.

"My baby, lord, not my baby" she howled from deep within.

Seeing their beautiful baby's chocolate skin pale and lifeless and her thick 4c hair in its signature Afro that took up most of the space in her little pink casket broke them. Her full little lips were coated in the tiny girl's favorite little strawberry-flavored roll-on lip gloss. She wore a beautiful little puffy pink princess dress and her favorite princess heels. Her eyes were peacefully shut but only her parents could see the discomfort on her face. The pain she died in was everything but peaceful. Now the sweet girl lay in her eternal slumber, away from all evil and danger.

But now her parents were left with the remnants of her absence. They were left with sorrow and rainy days now that their Sunshine was gone.

Sunjai Mariah Bennett better known as Sunshine was murdered on the 10th of June and was now laid to rest on the 1st of July. She was only 3 years old, but man, did it feel like she'd been around for longer. Being born to 16 and 17-year-old parents wasn't ideal, but she had a damn good life. She was loved by any and everyone who'd ever had the pleasure of being graced with her presence. Her bright smile and deep dimples stole the hearts of everyone. She was spoiled rotten by everyone, especially her parents.

She was a beautiful and polite little girl who had so much life to live. She barely been on this earth long enough to even have gone out this way.

For God has a purpose, yes God has a plan, tell me
(What do you do) When you've done all you can
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just...stand (stand) you just stand (stand) stand (stand)
Don't you dare give up (you just)

"I'VE DONE EVERYTHING I COULD LORD. WH-WHY ME GOD? WHY MY BABY JESUS" Halle screeched as she leaned over the casket, holding her baby for the last time. Dayvon couldn't hold his sobs any longer as he fell to his knees in front of his baby. His closest friend, Durk, and Halle's sister Chloe, rushed to comfort the two.

Their cries were the loudest in the church, echoing off the walls and hurting those in attendance at the funeral. They couldn't help but feel guilt.

This lifestyle was so promoted and normalized where they're from, that everyone always turns a blind eye to the violence. But when an innocent child is involved, it's a different story.