August 14th - 25 Years

S'te worked hard all summer putting the commemoration for the 25th Anniversary of the last time we talked or was with Jeremy.  After their breakneck trip down and her family reunion was over she went into high gear on  all the last minute modifications and plans and details for Jeremy's Memorial.  Balloons were released all over the United States ~ and according to posts ~ in several other countries in the world.

Jeremy's Balloon Release
(click for a slideshow of the hundreds of balloons released in Memory)

I spent a very, very emotional day trying to cope with the whole idea of really truly coming to terms with the idea and the FACT that I was actually telling Jeremy good-bye and Rest in Peace.   He was such a joy to me, so very active and smart, so protective and so very proud of his little sister!  Even now it is so hard to grasp that in all likelihood I will never see or touch him again.

About 50 of our friends and relatives came to the Myrtle Crest baseball field to Memorialize his life. I was amazed by some of the people that came - and just as amazed by those who didn't.  I was so glad to see old friends - Jeremy's friends, those who played ball with him, some who went to school with him, and many, many relatives came to show their love during this wonderful send off.  We all had blue t-shirts with his picture on them - an awesome sea of blue - if you will!

S'te prepared an amazing, awesome, wonderful, and heartwarming send off for Jeremy.  The balloons that she and those wonderful helpers spend the morning inflating and tying were released in turn. . .

14 blue balloons - released by S'te and I - for the 14 years he was with us

25 red balloons - released by his nieces and nephews - for the 25 years that he has been missing

100 white balloons - released by family - for all the love he was not here to enjoy

800+ green balloons - to memorialize, not only Jeremy's missing status, but for the over 800,000 children on the missing childrens lists at any one time.

and

finally, the pink balloon that I'd been seeing around the house for a week.  It showed up at the ballfield with HOPE marked on it.  S'te released it with the HOPE that an answer would someday be found as to why my baby boy, her brother, had to be taken from us - and what evil was done.  

I honestly have to admit that most of the day was in a fog.  I cannot remember all the kind words that were said or all the wonderful people that did come - I just know there was an awesome amount of love in that field.

I know that Jeremy, my Mom, Uncle GL, and the other loved ones that have gone before us were all smiling down on us as we paid this final tribute.

Thank you S'te for such a lovely tribute. I love you.

Happy Days!

After flying across the US - we (Brayana and I) got everything ready for her parents and siblings to arrive.  I'll tell you what~ She was one happy camper knowing that her time alone with 'grumpy old people' was finally going to come to an end :)  It was quite an experience for her being an only child for so long!  After getting back - she successfully passed her Driver's Permit test and and the wonderful gentleman (mmmm) gave ME a book to read!  I was cleaning out the van the other day -and came across the book ~ I guess I forgot to pass that on! LOL

Rod, S'te, and family made the mad dash from Bremerton on Friday - from what I heard - it was after several 'false starts' and this time they made sure to gas up before leaving Lane County!  When there isn't a gas station open for a 100 mile stretch - it makes forward planning a necessity! Brayana jumped up at the sound of the van arriving - for a joyous round of hellos!  Even after the long drive and late arrival - they all were up and excitedly getting their custom tie-dyed (by S'te) shirts (and of course a dress for Tetee!) on for their excursion to the Dulley family reunion!  This is S'te's grandmother's family on her father's side! LOL 

Don't they look wonderful!  I am so proud of them all!

On the Road AGAIN!

On Sunday we attended met up with most of the family again to attend Church with Mom.  The Pastor had us all stand as he honored her many years as a wonderful mother, friend,  and a lifelong Christian woman.  I felt very proud to be able to stand with the rest of the family as he gave her this honor! 

What a pretty girl!

Melody, me, and Mom - after church and as Bray and I prepared to leave!

 Bray started out with the idea of taking a picture of a McDee's in each state that we crossed.  Here is the first of many she took - and then they just got away from her!  There were almost as many McDee's as there was corn! :[)

A really neat farnhouse surrounded by corn, corn, and more corn!

We spent our 1st night in Peoria, Illinois, our second night in Ogalalla, Nebraska, tried for our 3rd night in Salt Lake City... When we got there - a storm was brewing and it smelled so nasty that we decided to try to go a bit further - our bit further ended up being Elko, Nevada.  We saw lots and lots and lots of corn.  and HOT, it was 107 at 5:30 or so in Omaha,  100 or so in Salt Lake City!  It was just to hot to take our time and sightsee - so we just kept on going!  The Great Salt Flats had us both wondering what we were driving thru  - we saw lightening out on the lake when it was just hot and smelly in Salt Lake City - so we had to do some looking around!

And we made it back to Oregon!   All in one piece!

We went a lot of miles in a very short period of time!