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.

My Favorite Halloween Story

To give just a tad bit of history, about the time of this picture  I did a short summertime stint not working and being home with the kids and did massive amounts of work in the kitchen.  I learned how to can, freeze, make jelly and jam, and loved the baking until Ole asked me to 'knock it off' as he was gaining as much as I was.  I promptly got my feelings hurt and didn't bake anything that I hadn't bought in the store (no more homemade bread or rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, NOTHING).  But I never made any sort of Christmas Candy and believed others when they described how difficult and time consuming and boring it was.  I, like Grandma Betty, always had trouble with my weight, so she never made it and so I never learned.

About the time school started, I went back to work at Ms. Malia's there in Myrtle Point.  Among my loyal customers was Mr. Caudle who, along with his dear wife Burl, were friends as well.   Mrs. Caudle (who Jeremy lovingly called "Little Caudle"; another story) baked Christmas candy each year and sent it over for the kids to enjoy.  And enjoy it they did.  S'te was a bit young (but now I'm thinking it must've been a bit later as I do believe she was about 3)  so she didn't realize that this was a real treat quite like Jeremy did. 

Anyhow, to get back to my story, Jeremy (God Bless his heart, where ever it is) was about 8 (I think), so that would have made S'te about 3, (remember this is in late October and their birthdays were in late May and early June) when Wayne (Mr. Caudle to the kids) came in and asked what kind of candy Jeremy and S'te would like for Halloween.  I forgot to ask that evening but the next afternoon they stopped in after school and Mrs. Caudle was there to ask them what they wanted.  Jeremy thought for quite awhile before piping up and announcing that he had made his decision.  Now, you have to picture this,  Jeremy was always just loving being the center of attention and a bit on the dramatic side, milked this 'decision' for all it was worth while S'te just grinned and chatted away with everyone, she was such a cutie with those big blue eyes!!!  So anyhow, Jeremy finally came to his decision and announced in a huge voice that he wanted some of Little Caudle's special profanity for Halloween.  Everyone just stopped.  Now, Mrs. Caudle was every bit the lady.  She didn't have any profanity, nor would she have used it if she did.  After a good bit of questioning - a light finally started glimmering in my head.  So I asked him to describe it.  He did and Mrs. Caudle  made Christmas Candy a couple of month early that year.  Jeremy wanted profanity and Mrs. Caudle made him a huge batch of it for him and S'te to share.

Can you guess what Jeremy's profanity was?  His description was white, fluffy, with nuts, and it melts in your mouth.

I'll bet you've come up with it.  Jeremy just loved 'Little Caudle's'



DIVINITY!!

So, how's that for a great funny story?  To this day, every time I see Jeremy's profanity, I have a special little smile that hits my heart.  :-)

Happy 37th Birthday

On this day 37 years ago I became the proud Mommy of you! As I do every year, I have spent this morning happily nostalgic with the many, many fond and silly memories we made together... You were one of the greatest highlights of my life....
All these people and many, many more are wishing you were here today to celebrate!

Your sister, S'te

Aunt Sharen, Grandma Judy, and of course, MeGrandpa Doland and Your Nieces and Nephews

May God be with you, wherever you are!