ROANOKE, VA – This Christmas, things are different for one family—instead of a tree filled with holiday cheer, theirs stands as a memorial to a life lost too soon.
“So red lights are for Isaac. Red is his favorite color,” Isaac Cunningham’s mom Kierston Cole said.
Kierston Cole’s heart aches for her 15-year-old son, Isaac Cunningham, who was shot and killed walking home from school earlier this year - and the holidays are bringing a new wave of grief.
“Every day you wake up, you have a funeral. You go to bed, you have a funeral,” Kierston said.
She thought she might be able to get some closure for Christmas - but the court hearing for the suspect accused of killing Isaac keeps getting pushed back. Now, it’s not until mid-January.
“For me, it just makes me feel like it’s never-ending,” she said.
She had hoped to get back just the shoes he wore the day he was killed, but with the hearing continued, that hope is gone.
“June to December. Nothing. Not even sharing evidence. I can’t even have his shoes. And that’s hurtful,” she said.
Without Isaac, Kierston feels like she’s trying to decorate a tree with broken ornaments.
“We’re not the same people who we were prior to it happening,” she said.
But she’s putting on a brave face, and trying to keep things normal for Isaac’s little brothers.
An Elf on the Shelf, named Isaac, is visiting their house this Christmas - with a note to the boys, saying even though Christmas is different, Isaac is watching over them.
“It’s been just keeping them occupied and keeping us smiling,” she said.
She’s finding ways to manage her grief - like inviting Isaac’s friends over to make Christmas ornaments, for their tree entirely dedicated to Isaac.
“To have his friends still come and be a part of your life, and even his life even now, what does that mean to you?” 10 News Anchor Abbie Coleman asked.
“It means the world to me, it shows me how impactful he was,” Kierston said.
As a grieving mother - she doesn’t want the conversation surrounding Isaac to die with him.
“What would be the best way for people to keep Isaac’ss memory in a respectful way for you this holiday season?” Coleman asked.
“This holiday season and just anytime us mothers, we want to talk about our children, we want you to ask questions,” Kierston said.
And while Isaac’s family is finding their new normal - they’re making sure his stocking is still hung, and he has presents under the tree.
“I’m still buying like he’s here... It’s hard,” she said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with grief this holiday season, we have resources and tips to help here.
