Judy, so nice to hear from you. Hope you get settled in quickly and begin to feel at home.
We have celebrated 2 birthdays now without Keith. He would have turned 23
this year on May 4th. The first year we had dinner with just our immediate family and then headed over to a local highschool where a beautiful mural had been painted just after Keith passed. At the time, Holly was 26, Wade 24 and Keith would have turned 22. Close in age, they had a lot of the same friends and probably 50 of them gathered there as well. We set up a table with mementoes and had a card for everyone to sign. We brought music that Keith enjoyed. Then sent off our balloons. It was quite a turnout with our family and friends too. For all those days when we suffer and worry that our child will be forgotten, left behind as life continues for everyone else, this marking brought such happiness to my heart. They remembered him well with their stories and laughter.
Shortly after that, the memorial wall was painted over. I knew it would happen and thought I had braced myself for that eventuality but ........
August 5, 2008 was the first year anniversary of Keith's passing. We had a big luau at our home. We invited all our friends/family and included our kids' friends too - which, in essence, have become our friends. It was dress up and we BBQ'd a pig. Just as it was getting dark, we had a moment of silence and everyone lit a candle. I can't even describe the moment. I just felt such peace and closeness with my son.
This year we repeated the birthday celebration but at our home, sending off our balloons. Nothing fancing, just sharing our memories. In August, we are changing up the luau to a Woodstock party as it is the 40th anniversary. Keith loved a good party and especially the costumes and so we will make this an annual event.
This year I am working on a memorial dvd that I hope to have finished and will present to everyone. Pictures, music, and comments from his facebook site.
Anyway, this is what we've done so far. I hope you come up with something that will help you pass this time as easy as possible and that it brings you a sense of peace and belonging with your son and his friends that I have experienced.
Wendy, Keith's mom