"In Memory Of Our Bright Stars"

Member: Bob & Lynda
England

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Darren Humphrey (19 years 8 months)
12/15/78 - 08/31/98

Born 15th December 1978, died 31st August 1998, aged 19 years 8 months
He lived in Watford, Hertfordshire, England
He died by hanging whilst on holiday in France with two friends

Darren was a kind, loving person, he was considerate and helpful, he got on with people of all ages. He is a much loved and missed son, brother, uncle and friend. We as parents didn't spot any problems, afterwards his friends told us he had been down a few times in front of them from about April 1998 (when he gave up the last of his "A" level studies), but Darren didn't confide in them with what was troubling him. He didn't leave a note, so we have the big question "WHY?", it appears to be failure at academic level, but was it? We just don't know.

REFLECTION

Another day for you to wonder, another day for you to mourn
It wasn't my intention to go before the coming dawn
My pain was deep within my heart and troubled head
It wasn't my intention to go without words said

My frame of mind seemed normal, or so I heard them say
It wasn't my intention not to see another day
I did not mean to make you suffer or cause you so much pain
It wasn't my intention not to ever see you again

Despair and confusion left my aching mind unsure
It wasn't my intention to suddenly close life's door
If only I could give you reasons and brush your tears away
It wasn't my intention to leave you and not stay

I did not mean for you to grieve, now left alone to cry
It wasn't my intention to leave you, forever asking why
As the burdens of life's worries slowly ebb from my heart
It wasn't my intention to tear your soul apart.

Y. Docherty

Bob, Lynda, Michelle (sister) and Chloe (niece)

Member: Lillian

~~In Loving Memory of~~
J. Darren Cox (32)
12/21/65 - 6/25/98

Member: Glennis Hunter
New Zealand

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Kristin Lee Hunter (nearly 29)
3/31/69 - 2/8/98

In Loving Memory of my eldest daughter

Kristin Lee Hunter
31.3.69 - 8.2.98

Our shining star has gone away
On a chosen journey at her end of day.
We miss you dear daughter, sister and friend
The pain and the sorrow, when does it end?
The candles burn through endless nights.
We miss you darling - our star so bright.
Life ended too soon, but your chosen path.
I wonder, did you think of the aftermath?
I love you and miss you, my dear, precious daughter,
Oh how I long for the sound of your laughter.
A laughter that tinkled and blue eyes that sparkled,
Wild curls, pert nose and face slightly freckled.
For the first time in months I've looked to the sky
With a different view. Now you're free to fly.
Fly on - ever upwards into the light,
Beautiful lady. Our star so bright.
Fly on to achieve on a different plane.
I know now my darling, I'll see you again.
Forever shine brilliantly my Precious Star
My love is with you where ever you are.

Cherished secrets and memories remain in my heart
until we meet again
Your Mum

Member: Cindy
Arkansas, USA

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Jason Jeffress age (17)
1/26/82 - 9/28/99

My dear Jason,
I miss you more than I could ever say with words. On the way to the hospital I prayed that you would be okay. When the Dr. came out and said that you didn't make it, part of me died that day with you. I hope and pray that you have now found the peace and happiness that you have been searching for the past few years. There is not a second of the day or night that goes by that I am not missing you. You will always be my sonshine.
I love you.
Moma

Member: David
Pennsylvania, USA

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Kenneth (23)
10/10/60 - 08/06/84

I have already told his story in the "Library", and rather than repeat it, would those who would like to read it,

FORGETTING? April 1990

I have had some bereaved parents tell me they reach a point where after a while they are afraid they will not remember what their child looked like. This happened to me, I believe, around the sixth month, and for a very short time I was in a state of panic. I think this may happen after the period of shock wears off, when acceptance of the death and the fact that your child is not coming back starts to take hold. This, for me, was a very difficult time , and occasionally I would have to look at pictures to reassure myself that I would not forget. But that period was transitory, and, now, even after five and one half years I can easily remember what my son looked like. But at the time it happens, I must admit, it is very frightening experience. At that time I had almost uncontrollable, agonizing urge not only to want to see his face in front of me, but, that, too, with the fear of not being able to reach to visualize him and hear his voice, in time passed.

I think we are forever embodied and endowed with the soul and spirit as well as with the physical aspects of our children. These memories will never leave me, even though the missing is a daily part of my life, and will always be a part of me. And I can even keep a mental image of his voice, even though I have no recording or tape of it. I can still remember his sentences, his words, and the inflection of his voice from that last day. I treasure these memories, his words, and am grateful that they stay with me. We do not and will not forget.

"I DO NOT KNOW" July 1987

How do I reach out
to touch your hair
and to find out that you're not there?
How do I long to
see your gentle smile
and hear your laughing voice?
To only clutch the empty air
and to find out that you're really not really there?

How many endless moments
do you suppose
I listen for your footsteps on the stair?
Until I realize
that you're not really there.

How do I count each futile month and year,
wait out the vacant days and angry nights
for you to appear?
At last to tell my unaccepting brain
that you're not really there.

I do not know.

"A MIRAGE" March 1993

How long have you been standing
there in the shadows?
So close to me, that if I
Reach out I can touch your hand.
A surge of happiness envelops me
Because you are my presence again.

Now I see you sitting at a window
With a cascade of moonbeams
Stroking your hair.
Your face is pale, but
A faint smile covers it.
I want to rise and approach you-
Reach out and touch you,
But I am transfixed in my chair
And mesmerized
By the aura that surrounds you.

One brief moment of majestic
Ecstasy is mine.
A lifetime rolled into a scant millisecond.
Was it real, were you there or
But a mirage, a dream,
Only to scold my selfish, aching heart
For asking for too much?

Member: Irene
Florida, USA

~~In Loving Memory of~~
MJ--(Martin Joseph)- (21)
4/25/78 - 6/14/99

MJ was my one and only son. He was sensitive, creative, loving and compassionate. He was not only my son, but also my friend. We had very much in common. I feel that half of my heart died when he did. I miss him more than words can explain--he was definitely one in a million! Peace and Love to you all.

Member: David Block
Michigan, USA

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Jason Paul Block - (18)
12/28/80 - 6/17/99

Jason

You ask us why we love you Jason?
We love you because you're always
there when we need a friend,
We love you because you could
always lend a smile,
We love you because you were always so huggable,
We love you because you were always the same.
"Don't look at the way things look,"
that's what Jason would say.
"Don't look at what they are this morning,
just watch how they change today."
"Don't look at the way you look,"
that's what Jason would say.
"Don't look in the mirror and see what you see,
just look at the picture and see what you'll be."
We love you because you kept on loving us.
We love you because you always made us happy.
"A kid is just a kid,"
that's what he would want to say.
Thank you Jason, for being so wonderful.
But the creator is not done with what he's begun.
He will finish a little each day.

We love you, Jason
Jason Paul Block
12-28-80
6-17-99

Member: Carol LaBonte
Kentucky, USA

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Ricky Bingham (Forever 18)
6/4/79 - Died 6/6/97

To Ricky
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.
We think of you in silence,
We often speak your name;
All we have now are memories,
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake,
With which we will never part;
God has you in his keep,
We have you in our heart.
It broke our heart to lose you.
But you didn't go alone,
For a part of us went with you...
The day God took you home.

~Author Unknown~

Member: Brian
Indiana, USA

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Seth (19)
12/06/78 - 02/23/98

From: Brian Eckert

For: Seth Isaac Eckert

Dear Seth,

Born December 6, 1978 / Died February 23, 1998

Our time with you will be stored in our hearts until we meet again on "The Other Side"! All the "what if's, "should of's, and "could of"s can't bring you back, but know that we thought we did the best we could! You were always a do-er, not a talker...damnit!
I couldn't have asked for a better son, until the end!
We will love you forever!

Mom, Dad, Celia, and Joe

Member: Anita

~~In Loving Memory of~~
Danny (14 years, 10 months)
4/12/82 - 2/24/97

Some thoughts about our son:
Dan was always his own person. He loved and felt feelings deeply. He fought desperately for his own space, for his own path, for his own ways of being. Yet he didn't want to be special or different. Dan just wanted to feel like he fit in with his peers, his friends, his family. He was tenderhearted, loving, and kind. He was highly intelligent and imaginative. Danny touched many people's lives and they loved him. They valued his friendship, his thoughts and creativity. The tragedy was he couldn't accept himself. Whatever foibles or imperfections he perceived in himself, he found ultimately intolerable, and sought his freedom in not being. We'll love and miss you forever, our son.