CLEVELAND - Fourteen-year-old Anthony Gayla of Cleveland knows a lot about loss. His father left the family when he was just 4 months old and his mother, who suffered a lifelong illness, died on April 15, 2014.
His grandmother and guardian, Doreen Relmann, said her daughter Jeanette was born with a birth defect that made it difficult to walk, but she loved to dance. Her favorite song was "99 Red Balloons".
Anthony told his grandparents he wanted to release 99 red balloons to mark the one-year anniversary of his mother's death, and he wanted as many people as possible to be involved.
Wednesday afternoon Anthony, family, friends, fellow students and school administrators from the White County Ninth Grade Academy met at Freedom Park in Cleveland for a special time and the release of a bunch of red balloons.
Anthony said he was appreciative of the show of support.
"It's very kind, very thoughtful and I appreciate it very much," he said. "It makes me very happy to see people do care."
He said for the last couple of years his mother suffered and was in a lot of pain.
"All I can think of right now at least she's out of pain now," he said.
Thursday
October 17th, 2024
9:22PM
