She Wasn’t the One

Diana Garlington tells her tragic story of losing a child to gun violence. Thanksgiving Day was filled with a lot of love, laughter and eating delicious food with family. The following day, November 26th, 2011, would be the very opposite. This day would leave Diana's family and friends broken and devastated. Esscence was an outspoken, 110 pound girl, who was born to a 22 year old single mother. She had 3 siblings, which they lovingly called her Boopsie. Because of her intelligence and questioning demeanor even as as a young child, Esscence had dreamed of one day becoming a lawyer. And that would be just it, a dream. From experiencing some sort of generational curse to motherhood at the tender age of 14; Esscence would begin to live her life on the edge. She would be hit by a car at 11, hurt in a horrific car accident at the age of 13, and tragically lose a nephew, two brothers, and a best friend. That would be just the beginning of her end. She would later become entangled with an older man who would charm her into living a lifestyle that would lead her on a path of abuse, lies, drama, and eventually her death.