Another local mom knows the pain Somer Thompson's family is going through. Eva Redmon's daughter was brutally murdered in Louisiana two years ago this month. Although she's still grieving, she's reaching out to others by speaking about her experience.

This is the first time Redmon has ever talked to the media about her daughter's death. And soon, also for the first time -- she will be opening up to a big crowd, in person.

Redmon's story is all about Deanna Christine Waldrup -- a domestic violence victim brutally gunned down almost two years ago.

"This man she had just broken up with shot her and left her --- it's to get her story out, number one, but to tell the story of my family," Redmon said. "How we were able to cope with it and get through it, because it was just by the grace of God we were able to make it."

For a many months after Deanna's death, her mom didn't want to live herself.

"I said, 'God, I can't handle this. I just don't want to live.' I just crawled up in his arms and stayed there for about a year and a half until I said, 'alright Lord, help me, I can't do it by myself.' And he did. He gave me the heart to forgive," Redmon said.

She says she got the courage to move forward. And maybe most important, Redmon learned how to laugh again, even though at first, that made her feel so guilty.

"I just want to get it out there that you can go on -- that there is laughter afterwards," Redmon said. "She was a happy person and she would have not wanted us to continue grieving like this."

While Redmon wants to share her message with many, she hopes to specifically reach other moms experiencing her same agony. She's inviting Diena Thompson to her first speaking engagement, even though she knows words will not likely ease Diena's sorrow. Redmon is eager to share words that helped her endure the loss of her child.

"The way that I left you wasn't part of God's plan. Rejoice in how I'm living my eternity instead."

Eva Redmon will speak about coping with her daughters death on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Sanderson Christian Revival Center in Baker County at 11 a.m. Call 386-965-0127 for more information.