Mary Johnson was a single mother. Her son, Laramiun Byrd, was the most important thing in her life. But something happened on February 12, 1993 that changed her life forever.
20-year-old Laramiun got into an argument at a party with 16-year-old Oshea Israel. The argument quickly escalated and Oshea pulled out a gun and fatally shot Laramiun.
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Mary was devastated and angry at the world. She couldn’t get over her loss. Her heart was filled with hatred towards her son’s killer.
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Oshea Israel was sentenced to 25 years in jail for the murder of Laramiun. He was deeply distraught. He wanted to become a better person. During his time in jail Oshea worked, read books, and talked about his past.
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After sometime passed, Mary wanted to meet the man who fatally shot her son. She went to prison to visit Oshea.
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Mary was scared when she got to the prison, but couldn’t turn back. When Oshea came into the meeting room they shook hands. Mary told him, “I don’t know you and you don’t know me. You didn’t know my son and he didn’t know you, so we need to lay down a foundation and get to know one another.” They talked for two hours. Oshea admitted what he’d done. Mary could see how sorry he was and for the first time she was genuinely able to say that she forgave him. As she gave him a hug she could felt the anger leaving her body. From that day forward she didn’t feel any hatred or animosity. It was over.
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After 17 long years, Oshea was released from prison. He had nowhere to go, his family had long abandoned him. Mary wanted to help Oshea find an apartment.
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Mary spoke with her landlord. The apartment next door to hers was available. Without a second thought, she said YES to the idea!
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Mary and Oshea are next door neighbors in the Northside community of Minneapolis. Mary calls Oshea her “spiritual son” and he refers to her as a “second mom.”
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