An empty place at the table...

[blinc]

This time of year seems to bring back memories of friends and family that have passed on. The good times... the laughter and jokes, the sharing of secrets, of hopes, dreams and warm conversation.

Too many times lately, I've caught myself being sad about not having friends around that had come to mean so much to me. September and November were especially hard months, since they seemed to hold almost all the anniversaries of loss.

Each of them, in their own way, would be sad to know that their passing was causing such sadness. So this year, I thought I'd try to remember the one special thing about them that touched my heart, while I was gifted with their friendship and love. Would you like to share some of the good memories of your friends and loved ones? Maybe it will help...

For you guys, to honor your memory with good thoughts instead of dwelling in the pain of losing you:

Chris - uncontainable joy of living. Such energy and laughter all rolled into one person was a pure joy to be around. Your curly red hair and sparkling green eyes still shine in my thoughts.

Freddie - the kindest, gentlest person I've ever met. A gentle soul, unmatched by any.

Janet - fearless. Fearless in everything, always wanting to experience something new and knowing not how to put limits on life. Courage is what you gave me... not to be afraid of trying new things!

Mark, Don, Jamie and Ronnie - the four of you in one ski-lodge was more then people knew how to handle. Your pranks and jokes never let anyone who met you go unmarked with laughter. Those devilish twinkles in your eyes are well remembered and I smile when I think of how you'd give yourselves away... barely able to contain all that mischeviousness.

Sue - honesty and forthrightness were marks of a personality I did so admire. Upfront with people, without trying to hurt. The biggest mother hen I've ever met. Never too busy to offer a helping hand or a warm hug.


This year, I remember you with joy in my heart. Joy for all of the love, laughter and warm friendship you so enriched my life with.

Thank you. :)

[Austruck]

For you, Grammy: For patiently teaching me how to hold that yarn correctly while I was learning to crochet, and for finally sharing your secret recipe for potato salad so I can make it for my own kids now, and for buying me that Bible when I was 16. (sniffle)

[Karenluvs6]

Christian unconditional love. For saving me from all the physical pain. For being there no matter what I had said about him. For loving me no matter what. For carrying my glasses home so many times, in a million pieces. For waiting for me after school because you knew they were waiting for me too. For remembering the knock code on the wall that divided our houses...(and our bedroom closets) For everything!

Bobby My Heart. For allowing me the experience of 'first, true love'. For trying so hard. For humoring me for so long. I think I will always love you!

Michelle Sisterhood. For being a true friend. For never ever lying to me about anything. For hurting my feelings so many times. For letting me drag you to those Motley Crue concerts, so I didn't have to go alone. For helping to tell someone. For getting me through the worst time in my life. For babysitting with me.
For being you.

Joey Rock N Roll. For liking me for me. For not leaving without me. For introducing me to Chris and Frankie. For being so patient. For not telling everybody.

Sean My life. For six beautiful children. For ten long years. For a life time of memories. For trying. For seeing my inner beauty. For saying the words. For so many friends. For teaching me to love myself.
For you.

George Big Brother. For telling everyone I was your little sister. For being there for me through thick n thin. For not letting me fall. For not beating up my sister. For showing me how to climb the library roof. For not dying in that wreck.

Eddie Cousin. For teaching me to play D&D. For letting me tag along to Dave's. For rushing me to hospital after tackling me on concrete and tearing my arm from one end to the other. For letting me have my crush on you. For not treating me like I was ten.

Lisa Friend. For letting me sleep over every weekend. For not judging me. For not pestering me to tell you what was wrong. For letting me keep my secret.

My Father Me. For holding us together. For at least trying. For saying you were sorry.


This year, I remember you all with love, happiness, laughter and sentiment. I love you...and I miss you.

[kezzer]

For my grandfather, for taking me along on all the camping trips. Playing yahtzee and Sorry! and all the other fun games we played. And I know that if you were here still today you wouldn't have shunned me for my mistakes.

For Keith, our friend, even though we didn't know you very long, you still were such a great guy. And you sure knew how to build one heck of an iguana cage!

For my father's parents,even though you're not gone from this life, you seem to have gone from my life. I wish that you would stop being so stubborn and take the time to get to know your great grandchildren. It hurts me so believing that you feel the mistakes I made are worth abandoning your blood. I hope someday before it's too late you'll realize how much life and love you've missed from two great kids and a part of the fourth generation of your family.

[Lisa]

Grandma - I miss you. You always were determined to do it on your own - arthritis, cancer and all. :) I'll see you in heaven!

Shane - Kinda miss you too, sometimes. Being married to you for 5 years was hard - but I still loved ya. Wyatt looks just like you! You'd be proud of the kids. They're beautiful.

Max - my best friend! :) Miss you too!

Curtis - My brother-in-law I never met. You are still loved, 33 years later. We have a boy named after you.

Cody - My nephew. Remember "Love you forever"

Mr. Mize - You taught me so much. You cared enough to listen to a crazy rambling kid. See you in heaven too!

[Debby]

For my father who died in August....for teaching me about God, and for loving me no matter how bad I screwed up, and for your generosity and unconditional love...and for being so patient with me when you taught me to ride a bike, and later to drive a car. And for never ever giving up on me...I miss you.