KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Sunday, Oct. 8, Rosilyn Temple hosted a birthday party complete with balloons, friends, family and of course, a cake.
"PeeWee celebrated his birthday every year. He did it big, so momma's doing big as she can in her own way," Temple told the people gathered in her front yard.
But the man whose birthday everyone was there to celebrate is no longer here.
"Today is his birthday. He would have been 32-years-old," Temple said.
She's talking about her son, Antonio Thompson, who was killed in November of 2011. His murder remains unsolved.
Two years after Thompson's death, Temple founded the Kansas City chapter of Mothers in Charge. One of the group's main activities is responding to crime scenes to comfort victims' families.
"We're at 113 homicides here in Kansas City. One this morning," Temple reminded the crowd.
Yet another deadly weekend kept the city on track to top last year's homicide number. At this time in 2016, there were 94.
Although Temple's son wasn't there to celebrate his birthday, she credits him with helping her find a new purpose in life, to save other lives.
"God has ordained a purpose for my son. PeeWee lives through me," she said.
Before going inside to cut the cake, friends, family and members of Mothers in Charge joined Temple in releasing 32 red balloons for her beloved son who loved celebrating his birthday.
"We love you PeeWee. We miss you. Happy birthday," they shouted, as the balloons floated away.
