His legacy
Dedicated to the loving memory of my firstborn son, Ron-El, Jr., whose life continues to inspire every act of kindness, every handcrafted product, and every reminder that you matter. Every day.
There are people who leave a mark on your life simply by being themselves.
My son, Ron-El, Jr., was one of those people.
He was my firstborn son, my right-hand man, and my whole heart.
Ron-El, Jr. had a quick wit, a sharp sense of humor, and could drop a one-liner like nobody's business. He had a way of sliding them into conversation at just the right moment—always in the right context, always on point, always funny. He had a gift for making people smile, and his laughter was always a good sound for me to hear.
He was a big guy—my gentle giant—with a heart so full of compassion, love, and loyalty that he was always looking out for other people. No matter what life was throwing at him, he was the first to offer a helping hand. If someone needed something and he had it to give, he gave it—even if it meant going without himself. I'd buy him a gift card, only to find out later that he'd spent it on someone else. It used to drive me crazy because he seldom put himself first.
To know Ron-El, Jr. was to love him. He was everything you'd hope for in a brother, a friend, a grandson, a nephew, a parent, an uncle, and most of all, a son.
He was the kind of son every parent dreams of having—the kind who makes his mama proud every single day. I truly could not have asked for a better son. He was all that I prayed for...and then some.
He loved life's simple pleasures: casting a line on a quiet morning, taking a good hike, enjoying a perfectly cooked steak with a good drink, and spending time with the people he loved. Those moments brought him peace.
He also had a style all his own.
Ron-El, Jr. believed in looking his best. He never left the house unless he looked put together and smelled amazing. If he walked by, chances are you'd catch the scent of Armani, Tom Ford, or another favorite high-end cologne before you even saw him. Looking good and smelling good weren't about vanity—they were part of who he was. He took pride in his appearance because it made him feel confident, even on the days confidence didn't come easily.
As the oldest of my sons, he naturally stepped into the role of protector. No one asked him to. He stayed by my side. Even when I told him, "Go live your life," he found his way right back to me. That's just who he was.
He proudly served our country in the United States Army as a Military Police Soldier, working alongside and training military working dogs. It was a role that reflected his courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to serving others.
But like so many people, Ron-El, Jr. carried battles that weren't always visible. He worked hard to feel good about himself in a world that wasn't always kind. Many of the people he encountered never knew the weight he carried because he continued to care for others, make them laugh, and show up with love, even while carrying burdens of his own.
When Ron-El, Jr. left this world, I encountered many sleepless nights trying to figure out how to keep his spirit alive...and my sanity intact. I tried to pray; I cried more tears than I thought were possible. Night after night, I searched for a way to turn unimaginable pain into something that could bring light to someone else.
Out of those sleepless nights, Emerald Ram Beauty was born.
Emerald Ram Beauty exists because of Ron-El, Jr.
He loved to look good. He loved to smell good. More than anything, I wanted him to feel good about himself, and he tried so hard to do so. It is my hope that through Emerald Ram Beauty, others will not only look good and smell good—but feel good in their own skin. If these products encourage someone to pause, care for themselves, find a little confidence, or remember their worth, then a part of Ron-El, Jr.'s legacy continues to live on.
Not because of how his story ended, but because of how he lived—with compassion, humor, love, loyalty, and style. Every product I create carries a piece of his spirit and my hope that every person who uses it will be reminded to care for themselves and for one another.
If there's one thing I hope you'll take away from Ron-El, Jr.'s story, it's this:
Choose kindness.
Offer grace.
Be patient with people.
Please don't be so quick to judge someone whose story you don't know. The smile you see may be hiding a battle you'll never understand. The person who seems "fine" may be fighting with everything they have just to make it through the day.
Please don't be the straw that breaks someone's spirit.
Instead, be the reason someone feels seen.
Be the reason someone feels valued.
Be the reason someone chooses to keep going.
Never be ashamed or embarrassed to say, "I'm not okay."
If you find yourself in a dark place, please don't stay there alone. Reach out. Connect with the people who feel like sunshine. Let them remind you of your worth, your strength, and your light. You deserve light in this sometimes dark and unkind world.
We all do.
A kind word, a smile, a moment of patience, or simply treating someone with dignity may mean more than you'll ever know.
From my heart to yours, thank you for taking the time to know my firstborn son, Ron-El, Jr. Thank you for helping me turn my pain into purpose. His legacy lives on not only through Emerald Ram Beauty, but through every act of kindness we choose to show one another.
And if you remember nothing else, remember this...
You matter. Every day.
Forever my firstborn son.
Forever my right-hand man.
Forever my whole heart.
I will ALWAYS tell your tale, fight for what you stood for, and talk about ALL of the great things you did on this earth. I miss you morning, noon, and night.
Job well done; rest well, my Soldier.
