ISAIAH SHELTON DOBINE

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Isaiah was born on May 16, 2003,  weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces. I was in labor for what felt like forever! After all those hours of hard labor, his heart rate started to drop, my focus was turned towards the doctor who could not hide the look of concern on her face. She told me it was time to prepare for a C-section. I immediately thought there is no way I was going to have gone through all this labor to then have a C-section! I was ready to see my baby! So, I dug down deep, and with everything I had, I gave it one last try. Within minutes, my beautiful Isaiah was born! 

He came into this world screaming! He had the biggest mouth I had ever seen on a baby. I couldn't not help but say with both joy and pain that he looked just like his father. I cried tears of joy as I held his sweet innocent body in my arms. I never knew that this kind of love was even possible. With all my heart, I was in love! For the next 6 long months, Isaiah and I cried together, due to his colic. It was so hard on us both. As I sit here reflecting on these memories and looking through old photos, I can't help but be happy. Happy to see his chubby cheeks, his gummy smile and his soft blond curls. 

As Isaiah grew older, we grew closer. We did everything together. He, to this day, is my best friend. I have no doubt in my mind and my heart that he feels the same way about me. Isaiah was by far the most well behaved child I had ever seen. I promise you, everything from potty training to being respectful came natural to him. When I look back now, the years just seem to have gone by so quickly.

It wasn't long before Isaiah became the man in my life. I heard time and time again that it was not right for a single white woman to raise a young black boy, but I shortly proved them wrong. Isaiah took every single work and lesson I taught him and applied it to his daily life. I feel I didn't get much right in my personal life, but as his mom, I did the one thing that was most important, and Isaiah grew knowing the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior. He had an amazing relationship with the Lord and it shined through him daily. He just walked around brightening peoples day. From the bank to the grocery store, he just showed joy. He would hold the door for every lady and greeted every person he saw with a huge smile, and he always left with a loud “Have a blessed day!” 

As Isaiah got older we found that he had a different kind of heart. He had different desires than kids his age, even different than most adults.  We would pray every morning that we would BE A LIGHT in this dark world, and he was just that!

When Isaiah entered into 3rd grade, things began to get difficult for him at school. Due to his beliefs and personality, he underwent a lot of bullying. Isaiah was not afraid to express his love for the Lord and to express his compassion for others. I am learning that when children are not taught at home that people are different and are to be loved and treated equally no matter the situation, the kids do not know how to act. It truly begins with us as parents. Sometimes kids are uncomfortable around individuals who seem different and they lash out or make fun of them to ease the awkward encounters. Isaiah inherited a personality trait from his father that really helped him through these years. He and his father never gave up on anything and didn't care about other people's opinions. Isaiah would often chase down a bully and ask them why they treated him that way. He would then tell them that he forgave them, and if that wasn't enough, he would then come home and pray for them! The only part of this equation he inherited from me was the prayer part. I learned so much from my son, and I know those kids and teachers at school did too.

The bullying eventually got out of control. He was continually called many derogatory names and was beat up in school. I cannot express to you the anger, rage and hurt I felt when my son came home with his shirt torn, marks on him and his hair a mess. What hurt the most was him looking at me with tears falling from his eyes, expressing his confusion as to why his race was even an issue to these kids at school. Because of the anti-bullying law, Isaiah was able to transfer to any school of his choice. 

Isaiah decided on a school -- and it was on the corner near the new school that my son lost his life. It's mind blowing that in the blink of an eye, my whole world could be turned upside down. People will argue that I was an irresponsible mother for allowing my almost 12 year old son to cross the street alone. However, I knew my son, and I would not have put him in danger. Isaiah was an honor roll student. He was an excellent example to his peers and siblings. My son did not run and goof off while walking to school or home. He didn't run around or get into trouble. When he left for school, he would say goodbye and would call me within four minutes to let me know he was at school safely.

I started this foundation to encourage families and the community to get involved and help save our children. We have to come together to make changes. With God, anything is possible! Please pray for us and the foundation while we continue our journey.