Family is always there, through thick and thin, and will often support you when no one else will. But even in the closest of families can division grow; and in the worst scenarios, hate can fill the hearts of those who are expected to show nothing short of unconditional love.
In the following story, a family’s bond is broken and left unspoken of for decades. In the end, a son has to make a choice. Does he forgive someone who betrayed him, or does he continue down a lonely path for the rest of his life?
The Perfect Family
The Owens Family was a dynamic one, with the father working as a hospital administrator and coach, the mother working in a choir, and the two close brothers supporting one another. Unfortunately, the family’s inner relationships weren’t as wholesome as they appeared on the outside…
Hidden Misery
Gaile and her husband Ron had a hidden tension with each other. According to Gaile, she suffered under the hands of Ron, on the receiving end of multiple types of abuse. She also claimed that he was unfaithful to her.
Trapped In A Nightmare
She stated that she wanted to file a divorce multiple times in hopes that she could escape from this nightmare, but her husband threatened to take the children. And she didn’t want to lose the kids that meant everything to her. She was in a tight spot, and couldn’t find a way out…
Unbearable Abuse
Gaile says that day after day, she was constantly beaten by Ron to the point where she would suffer excruciating pain just by walking. She also said that he sexually abused her, taking advantage of her body any time he could…
Anger And Frustration
The anger and sorrow that welled up within her for years reached a dangerous level – to the point where she considered murdering her husband…but at the time it was just a fantasy.
Crime From Rage
Then, entertaining the idea more than just thinking about it, the vengeful wife searched for someone who was willing to commit the deed. After patiently looking around for days, she found someone to help…
She Found Her Killer
Gaile decided to hire Sidney Porterfield, a mechanic who had a crime record that was “filled with a lot of content.” This would be the man who stained his hands with the blood of Ron Owens…
Return To A Forever Changed House
That night, the children returned from the church expecting to see their father happily opening his arms, preparing to embrace them. Instead, they came to see nobody waiting to return their love to them. The house was dead silent…
Lost Love
Stephen, the older of the two brothers, started looking around in hopes of finding his father simply asleep on the couch, or too busy in the shower to wait at the door for them. But when he turned the corner into the living room, the sight he witnessed would scar him for life…
Found In Bloodshed
He found his father collapsed on the living room carpet, struggling to breathe as he clenched his bleeding chest. When Stephen viewed the sight of his father near his deathbed, Gaile then entered the room. She called the paramedics, pretending to try to save him…
Death Of A Loved One
In the morning after, Ron was pronounced dead, devastating Stephen and Brian. They lost the man they called their hero. Five days later, Gaile was arrested, and her secret spilled out in front of the two boys she loved more than anyone…
Revelation
Stephen was infuriated when he found out who caused his father’s death. The one who taught him to be a good person by regularly taking him to church had committed the worst atrocity imaginable. He concluded that during his mother’s trial, he wouldn’t so much as look in her direction…
Gaile’s Trial
About a year after Ron Owens’s murder, the trial finally arrived. The amount of time it took for Stephen to prepare for his testimony made him build up his anger and resentment to higher levels. At the end of the trial, Gaile was found guilty, and was sentenced to death via electric chair…
Moving On
Stephen decided that his next step after this tragic incident was to start a new life without parents. Twenty years have passed, in which he graduated college, and married Lisa, whom he now has two kids with. Then, they moved to Nashville, where Stephen got a teaching job and tried to put the past behind him. Time was dragging on, and Gaile’s execution was approaching just beyond the horizon…
A Very Lucky Coincidence?
Stephen tried to enjoy his life, but he missed having parents. Then, God set the tracks that led to a miracle. In the school that Stephen worked at, a co-worker approached him and recognized him. The co-worker told Stephen that Gaile regularly attended Bible study groups at the prison for several years, and was well-respected in the prison…
A Fateful Appointment
Eventually, Stephen wanted to see his mother again. He scheduled an appointment at the prison to see Gaile again after two decades. He wasn’t sure what to expect when he would see her again; he just knew that his heart was beating rapidly in anticipation. After what felt like hours, he pulled the door open leading to where he would see his mother.
Reunion
When Stephen saw his mother’s face again, nothing but nostalgia went through him. Gaile weeped and apologized to Stephen, then they talked for about three hours. Near the end of the appointment, she told Stephen again that she was sorry, and asked for his forgiveness. After all of this, what was Stephen going to say?
Four Life-Changing Words
With his eyes full of tears, Stephen embraced her in his arms and gave her the words she wanted to hear more than anything: “I forgive you, mom!” After Stephen said that, he changed. The anger that had stressed him out all those years evaporated. Once he was able to process his emotions, Stephen knew he had to help his mother.
Death Is Approaching
Gaile’s execution was only five months away. At that point, Stephen wanted to help the only parent he had left at all costs. He faced the media once again after 24 years, and read a prepared statement. “Please,” he said, “do not leave me with the responsibility of looking into my son’s eyes and explaining that their grandmother was executed. Please do not allow a death penalty to be the legacy of my family. I am asking for your mercy.”
God’s Mercy
A press conference called by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen commenced soon after Stephen’s message with a response. They decided not to go forward with the execution and Gaile was eventually set free on good behavior. She spent time with her family after that, and in the end, the family left the past in the past.
