My Son Was Murdered 
We were at home in Vienna, Austria, in September, 1992, when our phone rang at 9:15 P.M. one Sunday night. The caller introduced himself as a police officer from our hometown of Concord, California.
"Mrs. Collard, I need the phone numbers and addresses of your closest relatives in this area. I believe a Timothy Collard has been involved in an accident here, and we're checking it out. We'll call you ...
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forgiveness, Forgiveness, divine, God, goodness of, murder, Prayer, answers to
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Mychele (Davidson) White
Thank you Dianne for writing this and keeping Tim's memory alive! God is good and He will continue to work out His perfect will even in our imperfect will and ways. I went to grade school and high school with Tim Collard and can personally vouch for Tim's amazing heart - full of compassion for others. He was one of the most tender and nurturing people I will ever know. He wanted everyone around him to experience the same joy he carried each day with him; in grade school it was annoying, in high school it was unique and inspiring, and in my adult life, spreading the Joy is what I continue to strive to do in my own life. Tim is one I thank for that. I can still hear his laugh and feel his hugs. Tim's death became a cornerstone in my life, and continues to teach me that even the most loving person can be taken from us, but we have a greater purpose as Christians and I choose to believe that his death will be the reason for others choosing Christ. Miss you, Tim.
Lola Cross
My youngest son, Troy Evan Patton was murdered by his abusive wife on January 28, 2006. She shot him in the head at close range with a shot gun. After almost a year of continuations, she pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder and was sentenced to 30 years with no chance of parole. Do a google search on Janene Patton for info. I dwelled in a deep dark hole of despair for several months. In order to deal with my unbearable grief, I began to write about my son and about the struggle of trying to get through the grief. I first wrote on my website at http://www.boomspeed.com/lolarry/ and then wrote a book. "She Blew Him Straight To Heaven", which can be purchased on Amazon, is all about Troy's life, his murder, and the subsequent 'hell on earth' my family was thrown into. My grief almost destroyed me and those that I love. I have not reached a point of forgiveness, yet. Maybe some day. You are an inspiration. Sincerely, Lola Cross Havana, IL lolarry@grics.net
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