JANUARY 1, 2009

MEMORIES OF DAVID:
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF A NEW YEAR. I SIT HERE THINKING,
PUSHING MY MIND TO REMEMBER EVERY LITTLE DETAIL OF DAVID'S
LIFE. SOME COME QUICK, THEY ARE SO VIVID, AS IF THEY HAPPENED
JUST YESTERDAY, SOME, NOT SO MUCH. THE DAY I FOUND OUT I WAS
PREGNANT WITH DAVID: I WAS WORKING IN DETROIT MICHIGAN, AT
A NEW CAR DEALERSHIP, I WAS ABOUT 23, I HAD SUSPECTED I WAS
PREGNANT, BUT YET TO GO TO THE DOCTOR'S. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT
TO SEE THE DOCTOR ON MY LUNCH HOUR. I WORKED IN BACK, IN THE
PARTS DEPARTMENT, WHERE ALL THE MECHANIC'S ARE. THEY ALL NEW
WHAT I WAS UP TO~THEY KIND OF MADE FUN OF ME, CUZ, I WAS
WALKING AROUND WITH THIS BIG SMILE ON MY FACE. I THINK, IN MY
HEART, I KNEW ALREADY, I JUST KNEW!! I WENT TO THE DOCTORS
APPOINTMENT, AND WHEN I RETURNED, THE SMILE HAD GROWN, TAKING
UP MOST OF MY FACE :-) ALL THE MECHANIC'S AND OTHER EMPLOYEE'S
TOOK ONE LOOK AT ME, AND EVERYONE BEGAN TO CLAP AND SHOUT~IT WAS GLORIOUS!! MY HEART WAS OVER-JOYED, AND I COULDN'T WAIT
TO GET HOME AND TELL DAVID'S DADDY!!!
THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO TAKE DAVID TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM: I
JUST FIXED MYSELF A CUP OF INSTANT COFFEE, IT WAS VERY HOT,
SOMEONE WAS KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, SO I SET IT ON THE T.V
(BEING SURE IT WAS OUT OF DAVID'S REACH, HE WAS ABOUT 16 MONTHS)
AND ANSWERED THE DOOR, IT WAS MY SISTER, DOLORES(SHE LIVED
JUST ACROSS THE HALL) THE NEXT THING WE KNEW, DAVID WAS
SCREAMING. AS I RUSHED BACK INTO THE LIVINGROOM, I COULD SEE THE
FRONT OF HIS SHIRT WAS ALL WET, HE WAS GRABING HIS T-SHIRT,
I THEN NOTICED THE COFFEE CUP SITTING ON ITS SIDE, HE HAD BEEN ABLE TO REACH IT, JUST THE VERY CORNER, AND IT TIPPED OVER AND
SCOLDED HIS POOR LITTLE CHEST. OMG~MY SISTER, SPRANG INTO ACTION
AND SAID. "GRAB HIM, I'LL TAKE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL!" I'VE NEVER
BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE(WELL, EXCEPT, WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO
DELIEVER DAVID, BUT THAT WAS MIXED WITH EXCITEMENT). MY SISTER
DROVE LIKE A "BAT OUT OF HELL" , BOTH OF US WISHING A POLICE
CAR WOULD COME BY(THEY'RE NEVER AROUND WHEN YOU NEED ONE)
THATS WHAT DOLORES SAID. AFTER THE DOCTORS LOOKED AT HIM,THEY
TOLD ME HE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE A SCAR. I FELT SOOO GUILTY,
HOW COULD I HAVE BEEN SO STUPID??? WELL, AFTER HE HEALED, THANK
GOD, THERE WAS NO SCAR!!
THE FIRST TIME DAVID HAD HIS HEART BROKEN:  HE
AND MELISSA MET WHILE SHE WAS A JUNIOR AT A DIFFERENT HIGH
SCHOOL, DAVID WAS A SENIOR AT DONDERO HIGH SCHOOL, IN ROYAL
OAK, MICHIGAN. THEY WENT TO DAVID'S SENIOR PROM(I HAVE PICTURES
ON HIS HIS MEMORIAL SITE). DAVID GRADUATED, AND THEY CONTINUED
DATING FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. ONE DAY I WAS DOING LAUNDRY, OUR LAUNDRY ROOM WAS ON THE FIRST FLOOR AT THE BACK OF OUR HOUSE,
AND DAVID'S BEDROOM WAS IN THE BASEMENT. I HEARD HIM, HE WAS
ON THE PHONE, AND HE KEPT SAYING, " PLEASE, MELISSA, DON'T DO
THIS" I COULDN'T HELP BUT LISTEN. THEN IT GOT QUIET FOR A WHILE,
AND I JUST STOOD THERE, THINKING MY HEART WAS GOING TO BURST. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I COULD HERE HIM SOBBING. OH GOD, WHAT
SHOULD I DO??? I DECIDED TO GO DOWN, AND SEE IF HE WANTED TO
TALK. I KNOCKED, GENTLY, ON HIS DOOR, WHEN HE SAID, "YEAH?" I
ASKED HIM IF HE WAS OKAY, HE SAID "NO!" SO I ASKED HIM IF HE
WANTED TO TALK? HE SAID~"YES". WE TALKED, HE WAS SO HURT, HE
SAID, HIS LIFE WAS OVER, THAT HE DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO GET UP
IN THE MORNING. I JUST HELD HIM, AND PROMISED HIM, THAT THE
PAIN WOULD GET LESS, AND LESS OVER TIME~I PROMISED HIM!!! IT DID,
HE MOVED ON, SHE MOVED ON AND I DIDN'T SEE HER AGAIN,UNTIL.....
DAVID'S MEMORIAL SERVICE, SO MANY YEARS LATER. SHE'S MARRIED,
AND HAS KIDS. LIFE GOES ON...........
I'VE SPENT THE LAST 3 DAYS, LIGHTING CANDLES ON DAVID'S MEMORIAL
SITES(HE HAS TWO). BEFORE LIGHTING EACH CANDLE, I TRY AND TAKE
THE TIME TO READ THE SOMBER WORDS WRITTEN BY A LOVED ONE, OF A LIFE THAT IS OVER ALL TO SOON~NO MATTER THEIR AGE, THEY ARE,
IN THIS LIFE, GONE TO SOON!! MY HEART ACHES OVER EACH AND EVERY
ONE. READING THE WORDS OF REMEMBRANCE, BY A MOTHER,FATHER,
OR A GRANDPARENT, ETC. SO MANY HURTING HEARTS!!
NOW, I REFLECT OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE YEAR OF 2008~GOING ON 3
YEARS, SENSE WE LAST SAW OUR DAVID'S BEAUTIFUL SMILE~3 YEARS
SENSE WE HELD HIS HAND, OR HEARD HIM LAUGH. EACH SITE, I VISIT,
EXPRESSING THE SAME DESIRE~TO HAVE THEM BACK~ONE MORE DAY, ONE MORE MINUTE, IF ONLY? IF ONLY? OUR MEMORIES LAST A LIFETIME~
OUR LOVE IS ETERNAL~*~WE WILL NEVER FORGET~EVER!!

TODAY IS THE 3RD YEAR THAT WE CELEBRATED THE HOLIDAY'S WITHOUT OUR PRECIOUS DAVID. HIS 2ND FAVORITE HOLIDAY, NEXT TO THANKSGIVING~I MISS HIS HANDSOME SMILE, HIS BEAR HUGS, HIS WONDERFUL LAUGH. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT FOR SOME REASON, THIS YEAR IS HARDER THEN THE LAST TWO. MAYBE BECAUSE, THIS YEAR KEVIN COULDN'T COME HOME, SO I MISS HIM SO MUCH TOO. I KNOW KEVIN WISHES HE COULD BE HERE~I'M SO THANKFUL, THOUGH, THAT HE HAS MELISSA. NOW HE'S NOT ALONE THERE IN ARIZONA, WITHOUT FAMILY AND HIS OLD FRIENDS. IT'S BEEN OVER TWO YEARS SENSE DAVID LEFT, BUT GOSH IT FEELS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY. SOMETIMES MY HEART HURTS SO BAD, I CAN'T BREATHE. I CRY, AND I KNOW IT DOESN'T CHANGE A THING~DAVID WAS SUCH A KIND AND LOVING PERSON, HE HAD GREAT LOVE AND RESPECT FOR HIS DAD AND I. HE WAS THE BEST BIG BROTHER, ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR HIS YOUNGER BROTHERS, ALWAYS!!! THERE ARE TIMES WHEN COMING TO HIS WEB SITE HURTS SO BAD, I STARE AT HIS PICTURES, AND READ ALL THE BEAUTIFUL CANDLES, CONDOLENCES AND JUST CRY AND CRY~~I'VE MET SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE THROUGH THIS, AND DAVID'S OTHER MEMORIAL SITE. MY GRIEF, SADNESS, AND LONGING TO WAKE UP IS NO HARDER FOR ME THEN IT IS FOR THEM, YET THERE THEY ARE, EVERYDAY, LIGHTING CANDLES. THEY SAY THE KINDEST THINGS ABOUT A MAN THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW~

TODAY I SIT HERE, BY MYSELF, AND STILL KNOW I HAVE THINGS TO BE SO VERY THANKFUL FOR~MY HUSBAND, OUR OTHER 3 SON'S, JODI, OUR DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, OUR SWEET KARA, AND KEVINS FIANCE, MELISSA. I KNOW, NO MATTER HOW BAD THINGS ARE, AT TIMES, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO HAS IT HARDER. MY DAD USE TO TELL ME, "IF YOU FEEL BAD THAT YOU HAVE NO SHOES, THINK OF THE PERSON WHO HAS NO FEET/LEGS."  THAT IS SO TRUE, WE ALL HAVE STRUGGLES, REGRETS, SORROW, HEARTACHE, ETC. GOD NEVER PROMISED LIFE (THIS LIFE) WOULD BE WITHOUT THOSE THINGS!! THAT'S WHY I KNOW THERES A BETTER PLACE, A PERFECT PLACE. THIS WORLD IS NO ACCIDENT~NOT BY A LONG SHOT!!!  MY SWEET DAVID, YOU'RE NOT GONE, BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN MY HEART! YOU'RE NOT GONE BECAUSE I CAN STILL CLOSE MY EYES AND SEE YOUR WONDERFUL, HANDSOME SMILE~YOU'RE NOT GONE, BECAUSE I CAN LISTEN TO THE SONGS YOU WROTE, AND RECORDED! DAVID, YOU WERE A PART OF ME THE VERY DAY THE DOCTOR TOLD ME I WAS PREGNANT~A PART OF ME THE FIRST TIME I HELD YOU~A PART OF ME THE FIRST TIME I DRIED YOUR TEARS~A PART OF ME THE FIRST TIME I HELD YOU WHEN YOUR HEART WAS BROKEN, AND ALL I COULD DO WAS TELL YOU, "IN TIME, IT WILL GET BETTER, SON, I PROMISE"............

I LOVE YOU DAVID 

♥SWEET MEMORIES♥

DEAR DAVID,

I WAS FEELING SO SAD YESTERDAY, I DIDN'T EVEN LIGHT CANDLES FOR MY SITE FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN SO FAITHFUL TO LIGHT CANDLES FOR YOU. JUST A FEW THINGS I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU, DAVE. KEVIN IS NOW LIVING IN CHANDLER, ARIZONA~ HE IS TRYING SO VERY HARD TO MAKE YOU PROUD OF HIM. HE LOVES AND MISSES YOU SO VERY MUCH!

NOVEMBER 2008:  LOOK AT KEVIN TODAY~HE IS GETTING HIS LIFE BACK ON TRACK. HE STILL MISSES YOU VERY MUCH, AS WE ALL DO, BUT HE IS NOT LETTING THIS TRAGIDY HOLD HIM BACK. HE HAS MET A VERY SWEET GIRL, MELISSA TOWNLEY, THEY LIVE NOW IN CHANDLER, ARIZONA.  HOPING TO MOVE BACK TO MICHIGAN SOON. I MISS HIM, TOO!! WAY TO GO KEVIN, WE, YOUR MOMS & POPS, ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU, SON~ KEEP IT UP,HANDSOME

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

THE HOLIDAYS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER, ONLY 20 DAYS AWAY~I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL PUT UP THE TREE, AND THE OTHER DECORATIONS. IT'S OUR 3RD HOLIDAY WITHOUT OUR DAVID. DAVID LOVED XMAS, BESIDES THANKSGIVING, IT WAS HIS FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR. HE ALWAYS GAVE US THE MOST AMAZING GIFTS, ESPECIALLY ME, HIS MOM. HE ALWAYS, ALWAYS, SPENT WAY TO MUCH MONEY ON ME, BUT THAT PRECIOUS TWINKLE IN HIS EYE, AS I OPENED THEM UP.....PRICELESS~ THE HOLIDAYS USE TO BE SO VERY SPECIAL~WHEN THE BOYS WERE LITTLE, THEY LOVED TO SING ALL THE CUTE HOLIDAY SONGS. WE WOULD BE RIDING IN THE CAR (THEY DIDN'T HAVE DVD PLAYERS IN THE CARS BACK THEN) WE WOULD ALL JUST START SINGING XMAS CAROLS, DAVID BEING THE OLDEST, WOULD LEAD THE SINGING!!  HE CARRIED THAT OVER INTO HIS ADULT LIFE; LEARNING TO PLAY GUITAR, AND TEACHING HIMSELF, HOW TO PLAY THE DRUMS.  I DON'T THINK HE REALIZED HOW VERY TALENTED HE WAS~HE WAS AWESOME!!!! WHEN HE BOUGHT HIS HOUSE, HE MADE A STUDIO IN HIS BASEMENT. IT WAS SOUND-PROOF, CUZ HE REALLY PLAYED THOSE DRUMS....LOUD.

DAVID'S ONE AND ONLY NIECE, KARA, LEFT YESTERDAY TO GO TO ORLANDO, FLORIDA: TO DISNEY! SHE GOES EVERY YEAR FOR HER BIRTHDAY.SHE WILL BE 8 ON SEPTEMBER 27.   MY OTHER SON, DUSTYN, AND I DROVE THEM TO THE AIRPORT. I WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT WITH KARA AND HER MOMMY, JODI, WHEN JODI SHARED WITH ME HOW KARA IS IN A YOUTH CHOIR, AND SHE'D HAD A PRACTICE CONCERT IN FRONT OF SOME PEOPLE. KARA WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS, SO SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE CLOSED HER EYES FOR A SECOND, AND PICTURED HER UNCLE DAVID, SITTING IN THE FRONT ROW WATCHING HER PERFORM. SHE SAID, DOING THAT GAVE HER THE COURAGE TO GO AHEAD AND SING!!!    SHE WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WHEN OUR DAVID DIED, BUT SHE REMEMBERS HIM SO VIVIDLY. SHE KNEW AT AN EARLY AGE THAT DAVID WAS INTO MUSIC. HE HAD GIVEN ME ONE OF HIS RECORDINGS ON A CD, KARA WAS MAYBE 3.   I WOULD PLAY THIS CD FOR HER AND SHE LOVED TO SING ALONG!!!   SO, WHENEVER I GET TEMPTED, AS I SOMETIMES DO, TO TAKE THIS WEB SITE DOWN ( IT CAN BE SO HARD TO COME TO AT TIMES) I'LL REMEMBER, THAT THIS WEB SITE IS WHERE DAVID'S LITTLE NIECE, KARA, CAN ALWAYS COME TO SEE AND HEAR HER UNCLE DAVID, SENSE WE HAVE HIS SONGS ON THIS MEMORIAL SITE.  MEMORIES LIKE THESE ARE WHAT KEEP ME AND ALL OF OUR FAMILY GOING!!   WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DAVID, MORE THAN YOU KNOW!! SOMEDAY, WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN, NEVER HAVING TO SAY GOODBYE

AS I SIT HERE TRYING SO HARD TO GRASP THE REALITY THAT OUR DAVID IS GONE. HUGS-HUGS IS WHAT I REALLY WANT TO GIVE HIM,HUGS!! OVER 2 YEARS, AND IT STILL FEELS LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY!! I'M GOING THROUGH ALL THE MOTIONS OF LIFE, I'VE GONE THROUGH ALL THE 'PHASES' OF GRIEF. NOW THE LAST PHASE IS TO ACCEPT IT. I KNOW WHERE OUR DAVID IS! I KNOW HE IS NO LONGER TORMENTED BY WHATEVER IT WAS THAT WAS TORMENTING HIM. HE'S NO LONGER IN PAIN, BOTH PHYSICAL AND MENTALLY. OUR DAVID: SO HANDSOME, YET NOT CONCEITED. HE WAS SO VERY INTELLIGENT, BUT HUMBLE. ALWAYS SMILING, JOKING AND HE REALLY LISTENED WHEN YOU TALKED TO HIM. HE REALLY CARED ABOUT WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY. HE WAS OPINIONATED, BUT HE NEVER WOULD PUSH HIS OPINION OFF ON SOMEONE!! HE HAD SUCH RESPECT FOR HIS MOM AND DAD. HIS LOVE WAS AN OPEN BOOK. EVEN AFTER HE MOVED OUT ON HIS OWN~HE CALLED ME ( HIS MOM ) NEARLY EVERYDAY. I WOULD TEASE HIM AND SAY, "PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THINK YOUR A'MOMMAS' BOY." HE WOULD SAY, " SO WHAT, LET THEM, YOUR MY MA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE YOUR SON, I AM A MAMMA'S BOY."    TRYING TO FIND OUR LIVES, NOW THAT HE IS GONE~SO VERY HARD!! WE HAVE TO FIND A NEW NORMAL, BECAUSE LIFE WILL NEVER, EVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM! WHEN HE WAKES UP, THE MOMENT HE OPENS HIS EYES, ON THAT GLORIOUS DAY~WE WILL BE THERE TO HOLD HIM TIGHTLY IN OUR ARMS, TO TELL HIM EVERYTHING WE WANT TO TELL HIM NOW!

ALWAYS AND FOREVER OUR LOVE STILL GROWS,

WHY HE IS GONE, ONLY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS.

IT WAS NOT GOD'S WILL FOR HIM TO DIE THAT DAY,

KNOW ONE CAN CONVINCE ME OF THAT; NO WAY!

THE BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR, ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DEAD,

WE JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE IT, AND GET THE WORD IN OUR HEAD!

PSALM 146:4  "HIS BREATH GOETH FORTH, HE RETURNETH TO HIS EARTH; IN THAT VERY DAY HIS TOUGHTS PERISH."

1 CORINTHIANS 15:51-54  "BEHOLD, I SHEW YOU A MYSTERY; WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP (DIE), BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP: FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND, AND THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE (WHICH ARE ALIVE AT HIS(JESUS CHRIST'S RETURN) SHALL BE CHANGED.  FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE ( THE DEAD) MUST PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL (THE LIVING) MUST PUT ON IMMORTALITY. SO WHEN THIS CORRUPTIBLE SHALL PUT ON INCORRUPTION, AND THIS MORTAL SHALL HAVE PUT ON IMMORTALITY, THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."   ISAIAH 25:8  "HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH IN VICTORY: AND THE LORD GOD WILL WIPE AWAY TEARS FROM OFF ALL FACES; AND THE REBUKE OF HIS PEOPLE SHALL HE TAKE AWAY FROM OFF ALL THE EARTH: FOR THE LORD HATH SPOKEN IT."

I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE GOD, RATHER THEN MEN!!

OUR DEAR DAVID,

   TODAY IS YOUR MOM AND DADS 37TH ANNIVERSARY~I WILL MISS OUT ON THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS YOU WOULD HAVE BROUGHT TO ME, ALONG WITH A WONDERFUL CARD, THAT IS ALWAYS FULL OF LOVE, AND WORDS THAT PRAISE US AS YOUR PARENTS. YOU ALWAYS CHOSE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CARDS!!  I HAVE KEPT ALL THE CARDS THAT YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS HAVE GIVEN ME OVER THE YEARS. I READ THEM EVERY SO OFTEN, THEY MAKE ME SMILE, AND, THEY MAKE ME CRY. YOU WERE ALWAYS SO THOUGHTFUL, YOU NEVER FORGOT OUR BIRTHDAYS, MOTHERS DAY, FATHERS DAY, OUR ANNIVERSARY; I DIDN'T HAVE TO DROP LITTLE 'HINTS' WITH YOU, LIKE I DO WITH YOUR BROTHERS. OUR LIVES ARE SO DIFFERENT NOW WITHOUT YOU. THE FIRST BORN, THE BIG BROTHER, ALWAYS THERE, ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY YOU COULD. WE NEVER ENDED A CONVERSATION, WITHOUT SAYING, " LOVE YOU". I DON'T THINK WE WILL BE DOING ANYTHING SPECIAL, TODAY. YOUR DAD IS STILL NOT WELL, HE WANTS TO DO THINGS, OR SO HE SAYS, BUT HE IS SO DEPRESSED. HE JUST DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT! HIS ENERGY IS GONE. IT WOULD BREAK YOUR HEART TO SEE HIM NOW, DAVE. HE WAS ALWAYS SO STRONG, HE WAS OUR ROCK. SOMETIMES YOU BOYS DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT YOU ALL RESPECTED HIM. I THINK, BECAUSE BEFORE HE ALWAYS COULD FIX ANYTHING.........HE CAN'T FIX THIS!!  MAYBE WE'LL JUST SNUGGLE ON THE COUCH, AND WATCH HIS FAVORITE MOVIE ( I FINALLY FOUND IT ON DVD), REMEMBER-"THE BEST OF TIMES" WITH ROBIN WILLIAMS AND KURT RUSSELL? MAYBE HE CAN SMILE AND LAUGH-IT'S SUCH A FUNNY MOVIE!  I WOULD LIKE THAT!!   WELL, SWEET DAVID I WISH YOU COULD BE HERE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WILL BE ANNIVERSARIES IN HEAVEN, GUESS I'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, BUT I KNOW IF THERE ARE, YOU WILL BRING ME A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET OF HEAVENLY FLOWERS!!!

WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH♥♥

YOUR MOM AND DAD

Dear David, it's been over two years, and every morning, when I wake up my heart breaks all over again. I realize, I'm not waking up from this horrible nightmare. This life we now live is reality, you're really gone. I can't pick up the phone and call you, or email you, like I use to do. How I wish I would have saved all the emails we exchanged. I come to your website, it's a beautiful tribute to you, but I would give anything to just have you back!! I have so many regrets, things I could have done differently!! One thing I don't, and never will regret, is my decision to accept my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Fellowship with The Way Ministry, the love and tender care my fellow believers give me is beyond words, I'm so thankful for their lives. I also will never regret opening this Memorial site for you, Dave. The wonderful people I've met here have blessed my life so much. Although they are dealing with their own grief, never fail to give me words of comfort and encouragement~ Every time I type in your name though, it's so surreal. I look at your page, with all the wonderful graphic's people have sent, it warms my heart, yet, I'd rather just have you!!  I know each and every one of them feel the same about their lost loved one's. We live in a cruel world, but one day, this world will pass away. We will be together again, never, ever having to part. My tears I cry, everyday, won't bring you back, the ache in my heart, won't bring you back, the love that I feel keeps you close!! The wonderful memories, they are with me forever!! You will always be my first born. That will never change. So, my sweet David, you rest, and when you open your eyes on that Glorious day, I will be there to emprace you again! I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!!

Ma

DEAR DAVID,

I HAD A DREAM ABOUT YOU LAST NIGHT, ONLY MY SECOND ONE SENSE YOU FELL ASLEEP.  YOU HAD LONG HAIR, LIKE WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL. REMEMBER HOW MUCH YOUR DAD HATED YOUR LONG HAIR? BUT YOU WERE A GOOD KID, AND I CONVINCED HIM THAT WHEN YOU WERE READY, YOU'D CUT IT, AND YOU DID. YOU ARE SO HANDSOME, LONG HAIR OR SHORT HAIR. MY DREAM IS SORT OF FUZZY, DON'T REMEMBER MUCH, AND BELIEVE ME, I KNOW IT'S JUST A DREAM, BUT I JUST REMEMBER ASKING YOU OVER AND OVER, IF I COULD GIVE YOU A HUG, AND THAT'S WHAT I DID. I KISSED YOUR CHEEK, AND HELD YOU SO TIGHT. I HUGGED YOU, AND HUGGED YOU, THEN I WOKE UP. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU, EVEN THOUGH I KNOW YOU CAN'T READ THIS, I PRETEND THAT YOU CAN. SOMETIMES I JUST THINK AND PRETEND THAT YOU ARE ON A VACATION! SOMEWHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TELEPHONES, CELL PHONES, OR TELEVISION. YOUR HAPPY, YOUR HEALTH IS GOOD AND YOUR NO LONGER TORMENTED, AND SLEEP DEPRIVED.  YOUR LIFE IS PERFECT THERE!!

THERE IS A PLACE LIKE THAT, AND ONE DAY WE ALL WILL BE TOGETHER THERE!! NOT JUST FOR A VACATION, BUT FOR ETERNITY!! UNTIL THAT DAY, DAVID, SLEEP IN PEACE AND WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR EYES, WE ALL WILL BE 'THERE'

I LOVE YOU, DAVID. YOU ARE FOREVER IN MY HEART AND SOUL!!!

MA

May 19, 1973, one of the happiest days of our lives. Our beautiful baby boy was finally here. We named him, David Allen Giraud. David, just because we liked it, and Allen, after his proud daddy. It seems like just yesterday, we brought him home. My second, dream come true, I was a mommy!! I had him natural, went to those Lamaz classes. He weighed 9 pounds, 1/2 once. Big Boy!! He was such a good baby, started sleeping through the night right away, in fact, I was waking him up to nurse. My mom told me to stop doing that and get some sleep, so I did. He sure was hungry in the morning, though!! Had I known that we would only have him for 32 years, I would never, ever have told him no, I would have given him anything he wanted, sounds silly, but that's the truth. He was a joy to us his whole life, we are so very proud to have had him. He played T-ball, football, and basketball, but loved football the most. He was so shy when he was young, but became more and more confident in himself as he grew older. We will miss him until we take our last breath. He is and always will be our precious first born son: David Allen Giraud-1973 to 2006. We will see him again, and will never, ever have to let him go!!!!!!!!!!!

We love you, David, with our heart and soul!! See you when you wake up!

Your Proud Dad and Mom

Dear David,

It's almost 2 years sense you left us! We miss you so very much. It seems like only yesterday, the last time I saw you. I took you to the Hospital for that test. You were in so much pain, you were so very scared, you tried to hide it, but I could tell. Why didn't I stay with you when I dropped you off at your house? You said you were embarrassed because your house was messy, like a fool I let it go. I should have given you a tighter hug, and told you over and over how much I loved you!! If I would have known you would be gone, just 2 weeks later, I still can't believe you are gone! My heart hurts so bad, Dave, so very bad. I would love another chance, I would love to turn back the hands of time. I would love a 'do-over'. I have to keep going, I have to live on........ It's not just me, we all miss you so very much! What could we have done to save you? I have come across so many sad stories of loved ones lost on this Memorial site. Young people, babies, all ages, all different backgrounds, that wanted to live! Why didn't you want to live? I guess we will never know, in this life, and when we see you again, it won't matter. will it? That's our hope, that's what we hang onto each day, we WILL see you again!! Until that day, we will hold you in our hearts forever. We Love You David

MARCH 23, 2008:RESURRECTION SUNDAY!! ANOTHER HOLIDAY WITHOUT DAVID. THIS ONE IS ESPECIALLY HARD. IN 2006, DAVID TOOK HIS LIFE 2 WEEKS AFTER 'EASTER.'  HE WAS SUPPOSE TO COME TO DINNER WITH THE REST OF US, AT HIS BROTHER BRIAN'S HOUSE, BUT HE CALLED THAT MORNING AND SAID HE WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT BECAUSE HE WASN'T FEELING WELL.  I SHOULD HAVE GONE TO HIS HOUSE, AND SPENT 'EASTER' WITH HIM, BUT....I DIDN'T. I KNEW HE HAD BEEN SICK, I SHOULD HAVE SPENT THAT DAY WITH HIM.  HE WAS ALL ALONE.....WE WERE LAUGHING, HAVING A GOOD  DINNER, DAVID WAS ALL ALONE, IN PAIN. OH GOD, DAVID, I'M SO SORRY. I HURT MORE FOR YOU, THEN I DO FOR MYSELF.  YOU WERE THERE, IN PAIN, ALL ALONE...GOD, I'M SO SORRY!!   I WANT TO JUST TURN BACK TIME, HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE.  I AM STRONGER THAN I THINK I AM, THAT'S WHAT THEY TELL ME, ANYWAY!!  I DON'T FEEL STRONG, I WANT TO DIE, I WANT TO JUST GO TO SLEEP, AND WAKE UP WHEN YOU DO, DAVID.  BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, I LOVE YOUR DAD, YOUR BROTHERS, JODI AND KARA. IF IT WERE JUST ME.........THIS 'EASTER' IS GOING TO BE ESPECIALLY HARD, ESPECIALLY HARD......GOD HELP ME

 GOD IS MY HELP.... GOD'S WORD SAYS: 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 " FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND."

I DID HAVE FEAR IN MY LIFE. I WAS AFRAID TO TELL DAVID THAT THERE WERE THINGS IN HIS LIFE THAT I THOUGHT HE SHOULD NOT, OR SHOULD BE DOING. I WAS AFRAID HE WOULD GET ANGRY, SO I LET IT GO. HE DRANK TO MUCH, HE SPENT TO MUCH MONEY ON THINGS HE DIDN'T NEED. HE DIDN'T TAKE BETTER CARE OF HIS HEALTH. FEAR IS NEVER GOOD!!  BUT DAVID, YOU WERE SO STRONG WILLED, I CAN'T CONTINUE TO FEEL GUILT. I TRIED, BUT I LET FEAR HOLD ME BACK, THAT I AM SORRY FOR, DAVE. YOU WERE TO PROUD TO TELL US ABOUT ALL THE NEGATIVE STUFF YOU WERE GOING THROUGH. BLESS YOUR HEART!! YOU WERE SUCH A GOOD PERSON. WORLDLY PRIDE. YOU HAD SO MUCH TO BE VERY PROUD OF IN YOUR LIFE, BUT TO NOT TRUST THAT WE WOULD BE THERE FOR YOU, THAT'S NOT A GOOD KIND OF PRIDE. IT'S ALRIGHT THOUGH, WHEN WE SEE YOU AGAIN, IT WON'T MATTER!! BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO TELL YOU. YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OVER BEING ANGRY WITH ME.....THIS I AM SO SORRY FOR!! I HAVE TO MOVE ON, I HAVE TO BE THERE FOR YOUR DAD, AND YOUR BROTHERS, AND GET RID OF THE STUPID FEAR.  NO FEAR!!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Isaiah 45:18

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else."

Isaiah 49:15 & 16

"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

YOU AND YOUR LONG HAIR, I REMEMBER HOW LONG IT TOOK YOU TO GET READY FOR SCHOOL IN THE MORNING. IT TOOK YOU LONGER TO WORK ON YOUR HAIR, THEN IT DID ME. YOU WERE SO FUNNY, I THINK YOU ALSO USED MORE HAIRSPRAY THEN I DID. REMEMBER THE MORNING WE HAD RUN OUT OF HAIR SPRAY AND YOU MADE ME GO TO THE STORE TO GET YOU SOME, I WAS ANGRY THEN, BUT NOW, IT'S ONE OF MY MEMORIES. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOW THEN, THAT YOU WOULD BE GONE TODAY, I WISH I WOULD NEVER HAD EVER GOTTEN MAD OR ANGRY AT YOU!!!! IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT, I WOULD TAKE YOU PLACE IN A HEART BEAT!! YOU SHOULD BE GETTING MARRIED, HAVING CHILDREN, LIVING!!