This story isn't a commentary on the death penalty.  It's not in any way intended to lighten the worth and life of the grandmother. It's not intended to eliminate personal responsibility for one's actions, but rather to illustrate the eternal purpose of parental responsibilities, and unfortunately in most cases the consequences when the responsibility is ignored.  Mom's, your influence, and Love are mandatory in this World in which we find ourselves.                                               The Tragedy Of A Lost Youth Some time ago, a young man was lead by two officers into the execution chamber of a State Prison.  He was a humble penitent youth. Several months before, he had "stomped" his Grandmother to death in the city of Dallas. His only remuneration was 12 one-dollar bills. He was apprehended, tried, sentenced, and executed swiftly. The night of the execution, a big burly policeman from Dallas was present. "This is the one execution I can watch with delight," he commented. "This punk is receiving just what he deserves. I will watch the electricity go through him without a regret." Things change and especially to those who know the date of their death. Instead of the arrogant, boastful person the officer had dealt with during the manhunt and the long days of the trial, there appeared a boy that was altogether different. "I would like to thank everyone, who has tried to help me," the lad began in his final statement. "I want everyone to forgive me for what I did. And, Warden, I’d like to pray." The boy knelt on the cold concrete floor and in silence that was almost unearthly, prayed the only way he knew how, "Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name.." He finished; he was strapped in the chair. The switch was thrown, the deed was done. Then all was quiet. The law had been satisfied, however.. The story didn’t end there. The Warden noticed the policeman from Dallas was gone. He found him in the prison yard, his head buried in his hands, crying like a little boy.  His only comment was, "When that lad came through the door tonight, I knew he had changed.  When he said what he did, and knelt and prayed, all hatred and bitterness left my heart. I loved him as if he were my own son. I wanted to go over to him, put my arm around his shoulders and tell him everything would be all right." Everyone lost that night in West Texas. Society lost the needed talents and energies of a youth.  The Warden lost an inmate; the witnesses lost that certain something that makes this life worthwhile. The policeman lost a "son" and the "son" lost his life. The greatest tragedy was not the switch that was thrown.  It was the society that we have made that helps produce the end results. A place in the electric chair always begins with a child in a high chair. And the saying is still true.."Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old,  he will not part from it."