twist of fait accomplis

Ryan, there's been a verdict handed down in his case. Go to the Free Lance-Star website: http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2003/042003/04102003/940073

Joshua E. Ford

I am writing because a few people have asked about knowing more about him as a person. I didn't know him very well yet he gave me one of the greatest gifts of my life - my grandson, Nicholas Joshua Ford, b. August 23, 1991. Nick looks like Josh (the long face) but lately, he is resembling my daughter's features more. He has the same skin tones and is tall and slim as Josh. A very intelligent boy (already reading high school level and is a whiz in math). Josh and my daughter, Melisa were friends in Malden, MA for several years and did become romantically involved for awhile during her tenure at college. Although they did not marry, Josh was involved in Nicholas' life for a short time. We have no idea why he discontinued contact. Nick longed for the day he could meet him. Daily, Nick would ask me to show him where Josh was living on a map (Iowa) and why his daddy didn't contact him (for that I had no answer). Nick had plans for when he was a teenager to try and connect with Josh but that possibility was eliminated by the Sifrit's.

My daughter speaks highly of Josh in many ways. It was such a cruel and monstrous way to die and our hearts ached for his immediate family. Nick knows that Josh was shot/murdered and during a class in DARE program, he trembled as he learned about guns. It is sad that we don't know a lot about Josh to tell Nick, I've tried to pick up bits and pieces from the trial such as his stint in last Gulf War (I then tell Nick things he can be proud of his daddy for). Also, the piece on his volunteering at the Turner Memorial Church as a youth counselor.

Nick also has a half brother, Zachery who, I believe, is living with his mom, Chrissy (remarried) in Hawaii. Chrissy dropped my daughter a lovely note after the memorial services for Josh but unfortunately left no forwarding address. If anyone can contact her with my email, maybe she will drop me a line. I'd love to see a picture of Zachery as would Nick to see if there is any resemblance in the half brothers. Maybe someday Nick and Zachery will meet.

This is a long email but Josh deserves to have people know there was a good person with much interest in life who never, ever should have died in this manner. Nicholas deserved the chance to get to know his dad.

Nana

N-nick?