DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILD FOR GRANTED. TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED TO ANYONE.EACH CHANCE YOU HAVE TO HUG YOUR CHILD AND TELL HIM/HER THAT YOU LOVE THEM DO IT. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE THAT CHANCE WITH ASA AGAIN.

For other grieving parents:

 Together we walk the stepping stones

By Barb Williams

Come, take my hand, the road is long.
We must travel by stepping stones.
No, you're not alone. I've been there.
Don't fear the darkness. I'll be with you.
We must take one step at a time.
But remember, we may have to stop awhile.
It's a long way to the other side
And there are many obstacles.

We have many stones to cross.
Some are bigger than others.
Shock, denial, and anger to start.
Then comes guilt, despair, and loneliness.
It's a hard road to travel, but it must be done.
It's the only way to reach the other side.

Come, slip your hand in mind.
What? Oh, yes, it's strong.
I've held so many hands like yours.
Yes, mine was once small and weak like yours.

Once, you see, I had to take someone's hand
In order to take the first step.
Ooop! You've stumbled. Go ahead an cry.
Don't be ashamed. I understand.

Let's wait here awhile so that you can get your breath.
When you're stronger, we'll go on, one step at a time.
There's no need to hurry.

Say, it's nice to hear you laugh.
Yes, I agree, the memories you shared are good.
Look, we're halfway there now.

I can see the other side.
It looks so warm and sunny.
On, have you noticed? We're nearing the last stone
And you're standing alone.
And look, your hand, you've let go of mine.
We've reached the other side.

But wait, look back, someone is standing there.
They are alone and want to cross the stepping stones.
I'd better go. They need my help.
What? Are you sure?
Why, yes, go ahead. I'll wait.

You know the way.
You've been there.
Yes, I agree. It's your turn, my friend . . .
To help someone else cross the stepping stones.

The fairness of life will, in time, offer peace to those who suffer today & suffering to those at peace today. Therefore, commit to memory, the day is coming when the brokenhearted, misplaced, and abandoned will have to decide whether to get up or not. And the strength to get back up is found in continually offering ...our life to something worth getting up for… - Chadrick Black

Please sign Asa's Guestbook as it comforts me to know that you were here. Don't worry about not knowing what to say. It warms my heart that you are thinking of my son today too.

 Asa was 6 years,5 months, and 7 days.

My broken heart-

Don't Think I Do Not Grieve
By Allison Chambers Coxsey

Don't think I do not feel;
because you see no tears.
A river rages deep inside
of grief, and loss, and fears.
Just because I do not cry now,
don't think my heart's not broken.
I keep inside the misery
of words not to be spoken.
Sometimes I smile, or crack a joke,
so you won't see the pain;
or notice how my hands will shake,
or how I've gone insane.
Each time I chance to think of her,
my heart is ripped asunder.
The loss I feel is mine alone.
you will not see my thunder.

I THOUGHT I SAW YOU TODAY WALKING IN THAT SPECIAL WAY THEN REALITY SET IN AND I KNEW IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN BUT FOR THE BRIEFEST MOMENT I WAS ABLE TO PRETEND AND THINK OF ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT REALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUT A BRIEF MOMENT TO PRETEND WAS ALL I WAS ALLOWED AS THE BOY WHO LOOKED LIKE YOU WALKED INTO THE CROWD I WANTED TO FOLLOW HIM GET A GLIMPSE, MAYBE A HUG BUT I KNEW IT WASN'T YOU THE ONE I TRULY LOVE SO I WIPED AWAY MY TEARS AND SLOWLY WALKED AWAY MY BROKEN HEART WAS ACHING BECAUSE I THOUGHT I SAW YOU TODAY. WRITTEN BY NATALIE CAMP SEPT.2007

His last summer clowning around with his brothers

Asa in his suit looking GQ !!

Tears are words that the heart can't say

Dear Mr Hallmark, I am witting to you from heaven, and though it might appear. A rather strange idea, I see everything from here. I just popped in to visit, your stores to find a card. A card of love for my mother, as this day for her is hard. There must be some mistake I thought, Every card you could imagine.  Except I could not fine a card, from a child who lives in heaven. She is still a mother too, no matter were I reside. I had to leave, she understands, but oh the tears she's cried. I thought that if I wrote you, that you would come to know, That though I live in heaven now, I still love my mother so. She talks with me, she dreams with me, we still share laughter too.  Memories are our way of speaking now, could you see what you could do. My mother she carries me in her heart, her tears she hides from sight.  She writes poems to honor me, sometimes far into the night. She plants flowers in my garden, there my living memory dwells.  She writes to other grieving parents, trying to ease their pain as well. So you see Mr Hallmark, though I no longer live on earth. I must find a way to remind her of her woundrous worth. She needs to be honored, and remembered too. Just as the children, on earth will do. Thank you Mr Hallmark, I know you'll do your best. I have done all I can do, to you I'll leave the rest. Find a way to tell her, how much she means to me. Until I can do it for myself, when she joins me in eternity. Author unknown

Asa and Mommy

My sweet Asa

My Vato Loco

My dearest Asa, I miss your big kool-aid smile and big brown eyes. Even in death you were handsome. The nurse there even commented on your beautiful lashes. I miss how you would laugh so hard and slap your leg. I miss you. You are my heart and Ricky and I talk about you all the time. He misses you and always ask to go see your cross and to go to the Cemetery. He gave me a Mother's day card and he had signed your name cause you couldn't be here!! I know you were though. Thank you for all the signs my little Angel. Please don't stop sending them. Love, Mommy

Mommy and Asa

 Not long before he died he had asked me if I knew what God looked like. Then asked if I had ever saw an Angel and if anyone can really see one. My answer now- I am looking at one. _________________________________________

I love you Asa

 Asa was 6 years,5 months, and 7 days. He will be Forever.

King Asa

Asa at 3 months

 

We would watch The Simpsons sometimes after he got home from school. Asa always thought it was funny. He would often watch Curious George before school as we waited for it to be time to leave.

Ricky and Asa