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Where do I start, since that fateful day the one thing
that has sustained me is the gift of Saturday, August 24th. I can't remember
the last time before that, that I actually spent any quality time with
Bobby. With all the craziness of the day I was some how blessed with a
few moments alone with Bobby. I am so grateful for that time. I keep thinking
about when he was about to be born and we didn't know if it was a boy
or a girl. I kept wondering how was I going to love another little boy
the way I loved Jason. But all it took was one look at that big baby with
all that hair in the nursery and I knew it wouldn't be a problem. That
brown curly hair, those beautiful brown eyes, that big sweet smile. Bobby
was so many things as a little boy; adventurous, mischievous, happy, loving...
It is nice to know he carried all those qualities through into adulthood,
however short it was! The first time we were together I held Bobby in
my arms. The last time we were together I sat on his lap. I guess that's
what you call THE CIRCLE OF LIFE. My message to Bobby is to keep your
arms strong. There is a poem/story called FOOTPRINTS. It is when God is
walking with someone so there are two sets of footprints. When there are
bad times there is only one set of footprints. The person asked God "Why
weren't you there for me in the bad times?" God's reply was, he was
carrying the person. In the years to come we your family and friends will
be calling on you to carry us. Bobby you are our newest angel. As I have
said before, I have loved you since the day you were born and I will love
you until the day I die and after that. Until we meet again, my love goes
with you.
-Aunt Frannie XOXO
I AM YOUR CHILD
Barry Manilow
WORDS: Marty Panzer/MUSIC: Barry Manilow
I am your child.
Wherever you go, you take me, too.
Whatever I know, I learn from you.
Whatever I do, you taught me to do.
I am your child.
And I am your chance.
Whatever will come, will come from me.
Tomorrow is won, by winning me.
Whatever I am, you taught me to be.
I am your hope,
I am your chance,
I am your child
Love, Aunt Dee
I have thought for a long time on what I should write about.
I have so many things that I want to say about Bobby. I guess that I just
want people to know that the Bobby they knew was always as loving and
true to the one's he loved, even as little boy. He always had such a loving
nature. He loved to get his hugs and kisses from all of his extended family.
I just wanted to tell a story of a memory that I have of Bobby when he
lived with us when he was a little boy. He couldn't have been more than
three or four. I was watching him play outside in the back yard and he
seemed to be talking to something in his hand. I called out to him to
see what he was talking to. He came to the door and to my fright he showed
me a locust that was in his hand. Now a locust has to be one of the ugliest
bugs that New York has to offer. But, Bobby didn't see that. He saw it
as his friend. He laid down beside it on our picnic bench and stroked
it so lovingly. He even was talking to it. All that I could think of was
how could he love such a disgusting thing. From what I heard at his funeral,
I think Bobby never judged anything or anyone. I think he was able to
love everything and everyone for what they were and are. I heard it in
story after story. I also think that he was so special to everyone who
knew him because of that. And Bobby was a great son, brother, nephew and
friend. I feel so fortunate to have had him in my family. I have memories
with him that I will never forget. That's why it is so hard to write about
something. They are all equally special to me. I have asked why did this
have to happen to Bobby, or what if, so much that it is driving me crazy.
I know that we all have been doing it. I am going to try to put my energy
into remembering all of the fun times that I got to share with him. I
also feel so blessed to have been able to hug and kiss him goodbye the
day before he left us. I will feel that hug forever. Carry Bobby with
you in your hear. Never stop talking about him. I have to say that the
most frightening thing for me when I lost my son was, I thought he would
be forgotten. I know that could never by the case with Bobby. We all have
to many memories to ever forget. Celebrate his life and do not dwell on
his death. Peace to you Bobby. You are still my little man.Peace to everyone.
Love, Aunt Chrissy
A memory, a picture, a story or a letter. How do you even
begin to pick a final something to describe the way you feel about someone
who means the world to you. Funny though, I want to pick a good story
or a funny memory that I share with Bobby, my first thought is, oh there
are so many, how do you just choose one. Then I stop and I think, but
I will have no more new ones and realize that I don't have too many. Growing
up the only thing I ever wanted to be was an Aunt. And that I am and very
happy about each and everyone, including all those babies I never got
to meet and hold. But my Jason and my Bobby, what a taste and good start
they gave me at teaching what it is like to be an Aunt!! They know how
much they mean to me. There are not enough words to describe Bobby, from
that cute little boy, who the day he was born, looked like he had just
walked out of the barber shop (what a hair doo). As a toddler, to say
the very least, they must of had him in mind when they picked that word.
The music man, as he sat in the back of my car and pounded away on his
car seat to my blaring music loving every minute of it. To a youngster
still loving his family and never minding how much you hugged him, guess
thats why he was such a great hugger! Then to a young man, who did not
mind coming to visit knowing it was all kids here and still playing with
them the whole time he was here. A young man who we've come to find out
was wiser beyond his years and had touched so many more people than we
could ever image anyone touching. Even though he is gone such a short
time and was only 19 I will always think of him as a little boy. That
face, that smile, that laugh, that heart!!!!!!!!!!!! I have a piece of
my heart that is missing and will remain gone until I can get my next
hug from him. I'M waiting Bobby till I can get it from you, so as I always
tell you and Jason on the phone, "SAVE ME A GOOD HUG, YOUR AUNT KATHY
REALLY MISSES IT". I love you and can't wait to see you when I get
there. Watch over us all, I will carry you with me wherever I go XXXOOOXXXOOO
LOVING AND MISSING YOU ALWAYS,
Aunt Kathy
Everyone,
Sometimes life throws us a curveball. I cannot always write what I feel
but I can always find something or someone to identify with, hope the
attachment helps you who feel the way I do. Never forget always in my
heart always on my mind and on my arm Bobby, Rob, I miss you and LOVE
you. Never good-bye, I will see you later. Peace to those who need it
Love to those who want it.
Peace and Love Uncle Tim
(The attachment that Uncle Tim is refering to is the song "I
Grieve" which is in the poem
section)
Bobby,
I did not know you as well as the rest of the family and that is truly
my loss. Even though our conversations were not near long enough, it was
easy to tell what kind of young man you became. We had talked about more
practical things like what the next step is on the journey of life but
who knew that it would not be as long as we all had hoped. It is obvious
that as much as we loved you there were many others that loved you just
as much. There was a sea of good young people that came to see a dear
friend off. It was wonderful to see how your friends came together to
console your family and extended family. We all shared stories that I
am sure you would have preferred to been keep quiet. You have touched
all of us in your own special way and we are all richer for that gift.
I am very thankful for the time we had the week before and the night before
you left. Even if the conversation was just a little more information
than you needed, it was still fun. Things that I will always keep with
me are; the basketball you played with your cousins and helping them do
things they had not tried to do or even lifting them up to slam dunk the
ball, your grin and red face, when you got caught doing something and
you would try so hard to play like you were innocent of what you were
being accused. The time in FL when your family came to visit and to see
you and your brother just doing things together are all images that I
will cherish. I thank you for what you gave me and us even though we may
not have known the gift you were giving at that time. You are a kind and
generous soul that we all Love and will miss very much. Enjoy your new
freedom, tell everyone we all miss them as well as you. You will be forever
in our heart and minds. May God keep you safe and bless you.
Peace and Happiness,
Love you,
Uncle Marty