Thank you all so so much for your thoughts yesterday on Chris' 21st birthday.. we rang bells for Salvation Army with other family members during the day, which has become our tradition. Also kids from Chris' high school SADD group rang bells too, almost 50 of them!
Then in the afternoon we gathered at his grave to say a little something and release our balloons into the air.. and, since it was a special year, we gathered at a local sports restaurant to have a bite to eat and raise one glass in toast to Chris' 21st bday... it was nice to be together as a family...
I read the poem I wrote for his bday and shared it with the family:
Twenty-one Years
Twenty-one years ago today
Your dad rung me on the phone to say
Karen, you’re an aunt!
I was overjoyed and blown away!
In Buffalo, that mighty town
You were born on December 1
A light shone on our family
Never, ever to be undone
You were such a cute young kid
With clear blue eyes and blonde, blonde hair
Just like your mom so many said
With your outgoing ways and special flare
A cute nose just like your dad
And “Bascom humor” you possessed
Always followed by that silly giggle
Infectious to all, so filled with zest
Your love of sports and games
Is legendary here
Though being a Red Sox fan
Always seemed to bring a tear
Through it all you lived your life
To it’s fullest every day
With cherished friends and family
You blessed along the way
You always were so cheerful
Your smile lit up our world
The time we spent together
Fun and laughs unfurled
The memories we share of you
Are all we have these days
And they must carry us along
Until again we meet your gaze
Twenty-one years ago today
Our lives were changed forever
I cherish every moment of you
And all the times we were together
On this day which marks your birth
We gather all together
To celebrate the life you lived
You’re in our hearts forever
Happy Heavenly 21st Birthday Chris!
I cannot thank YOU all enough for all your caring and the many messages you left for me/us yesterday.. you are all so important to me and so kind..
luv to you all, Karen