Yesterday was Lucas’ birthday, which means Lucas is now older, in years spent on this earth, than Derek. It was a sad day on one hand, watching the pain in my wife’s eyes as she wept knowing this fact, but the celebration of Lucas was needed and wonderful. Friends and family joined us as we celebrated his borthday. Although we will still celebrate Derek’s birthday every year, it does bring sadness to know he will never celebrate another one here with his brother and sister. It’s funny, because Lucas joked, “He’d still say he is older dad. He’d say he is 10 1/2.” It’s true. Derek would have said that quite often and let Lucas know that even though they were both 10, he was still older.
This will be a year of firsts, and next year 2nds, etc. But this first year has been hard, We have been blessed with a community that has not turned it’s back, rather opened it’s arms to our family and their hearts as well. We are surrounded daily by people who just want to make sure things are going ok. In 2 weeks we will celebrate another birthday, Peyton’s, and I am sure the tears will flow again. Nothing can prepare you for the sadness. It comes and goes. The key is to remain focused on what we have to do daily to maintain an even keel on the emotional side. There are everyday reminders of Derek all around us. Songs, sights, smells, people reminding us of the little things that made him special. Those are the things that a grieving family needs.
In a week we will have another wonderful Act being done here, in Derek’s name, when Rob Deer, Michael Keith and Lisa and Lanny Schimmel bless the youth of our community with a free hitting camp. We will have so much going on out there that it will be a great time. There are so many people, AGAIN, from our community, volunteering time and money to make this happen. So many people are volunteering to bring food, drink, etc, to make this happen. Again, what a great tribute to our community. All of the proceeds from the t-shirt sales will go to Derek’s Memorial Scholarship Fund to reward some graduating seniors in our communities. What a wonderful way to give back.
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