Scraping My Heart is a raw and courageous presentation of emotions by a mother surviving the experience of having to bury one's own child. It depicts the long harsh road to recovering and healing, yet it is gently wrapped in poetry and spirituality. It is a wonderful guide for survivors and clinicians alike. -Gerald G. Van Sluytman, M.S.W. Psycho therapist / Director of Social Services Scraping My Heart is a page-turner, which moves us beyond the familiar grim headliner of another black male slaughtered in America. Tate finds within herself hope and recovery through raw and honest reflection in the life account of the senseless murder of her son. Her loss of dreams are to some degree restored as she shares with us David's poetry, which gives voice to the streets, which ultimately took his life. -Reverend Karyn L. Carter, M. Div. Executive Director of Families and Friends of Murdered Children and Victims of Violence, Inc. Scraping My Heart is a poignant testimony of a mother who walks us through the depths of her pain to the other side where there is love, compassion and wisdom. In this very moving personal narrative, Tate not only introduces us to her wonderful son, David, who was murdered, but equally as important, she lets us into the reservoir of emotion and triumphal journey to forgiveness. Honest and unfiltered, this book is a work of sheer bravery and compassion. -Opal Palmer Adisa, Author of It Begins With Tears.