John — below is the letter Lucy wrote to Jordan today for what should have been his 26th birthday. She wanted to share it with you as a reminder of why she and so many others are in this fight to end gun violence.

Happy birthday, Jordan. How I wish you were still here to celebrate with us. I know you are with me, watching over me every day, but I would give anything just to hug you and hear your voice once more.

I often think about where we would be and what we would be doing if you hadn’t been taken from us far too soon — before you even entered adulthood. What I’m left with are your memories and imaginations of what could be.

You were just 85 days short of your 18th birthday — right on the verge of finally getting the right to vote. I know you understood how sacred that right was. President Obama had just been re-elected, and you had such hope that you’d get the chance to vote for someone who looked like you and me one day, too.

I always had such big dreams for you. I just knew you would be the one to fight for change in our community.

I think a lot about that as I do this work. But if you were still here, it probably would be you. No, I don’t think you’d have run for office (yet!). But you would be working to change what’s broken in our country.

Maybe you could’ve been an organizer right here in Georgia working to turn our state blue for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. You had that fight and drive in you. And I have no doubt you would have extended that same drive to elect Senators Ossoff and Warnock too.

I wish you could have experienced that. But, the laws you could have worked to change failed us long before you were given the chance to save others.

So, I do this work for you now, to honor your legacy and make sure that young people like you have a bright future and a chance to thrive. To fix the laws that have created this gun violence epidemic, to confront systemic racism, to address the climate crisis, and all that ails America.

You give me the strength every day to keep fighting and pushing for change. I know it has taken far too long, and now, the crises we face are compounding and larger than ever. But, I know God has a higher purpose for us, and I have faith that our moment for change is almost here.

I’ll see you again one day, when the time is right. I’m going to expect lots of hugs and kisses then, okay? Thank you for being my rock and my best friend in this fight. I love you so much.

Forever your mom,

Lucy

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