tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14924454030542356002011-09-21T07:51:14.325-04:00Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-79712814206254672102010-12-24T23:51:00.002-05:002010-12-24T23:55:18.448-05:00

Merry Christmas my angel! As you spend another Christmas with our Jesus, we all gather together and try to carry on the traditions the best we can. It will never be the same but we go on, as you would want us to.We make new memories and I treasure both them and all the memories of the past years when you were here with us.I miss you so much and today brings me one day closer to seeing you

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-15760314506927648472010-12-03T23:42:00.003-05:002010-12-03T23:47:13.233-05:00

My Dear Son,I sit here, just minutes away from another anniversary - the 5th since you left us. And no, it is not getting any easier. The pain is just as intense as it was that day 5 years ago.I listen to your songs, look through the albums, read all the messages I have received from people over the last 5 years..........and the support and love help, but they don't take away any of the pain.I

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-75079343218699146512010-10-20T21:39:00.002-04:002010-10-20T21:46:09.058-04:00

My dear son, it's another one of those really bad days. It's the night before another birthday, another day that should be a celebration but instead I am dreading it, not because I'm getting older, but because it is one more day without you.I can never have a birthday with all 3 of my children together. Even when you were in Italy and Iraq, you called, you sent a card, a gift..........and now I

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-18137330983961911272010-10-15T18:56:00.002-04:002010-10-15T19:02:57.626-04:00

Hello Son,Today marks five years that the whole family was last together with you. You and your sister and brother surprised Dad and I with a 25th Anniversary party. I never thought anyone could surprise me but you three pulled it off!!Thinking of how much fun we had and how everyone was together not knowing it would be the last time the family gathered with you. I still remember the words of

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-70748770511324397402010-08-24T06:44:00.003-04:002010-08-24T06:47:35.991-04:00

Dearest Son,It's another one of those very hard days. I think about you all the time but some days are worse than others. During the difficult times we are facing now, it just reminds me more and more of how much our talks helped me. You were so wise for a person so young in age and always knew the right things to say to me to help heal the pain.One day at a time.........God gives us grace for

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-70369339424564188542010-07-03T08:51:00.003-04:002010-07-03T08:56:48.755-04:00

Dear Son,Thanking you once again for your unselfish service to our country. I was thinking back, this week, to your first leave from Italy. You came home just in time to celebrate the 4th of July with us. As we sat at the state fairgrounds, watching the fireworks, I can still feel that pride I felt that day as I looked at you. Though life has been a real roller coaster these last few months, I

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-60866206914517534662010-05-08T23:59:00.002-04:002010-05-09T00:05:29.334-04:00

Dear Chris,I still remember my first Mother's Day in 1983 - what a special day that was!! And now 27 years later, this holiday is very bittersweet. I have two beautiful children here on earth but I am still missing my firstborn so very much.I have the Mother's Day card you gave me in 2001, right before you left for Ft. Benning, sitting on my shelf, and it makes me cry every time I read it.

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-23556838508442730022010-04-04T09:06:00.002-04:002010-04-04T09:10:37.109-04:00

Happy Easter Son!!!Here we go again....another holiday without you!!! It is "supposed to" get easier but it just keeps getting more difficult. This year, especially, with so much going on that is not good, it is hard to stay focused and be jubilant.But this day is THE most holy day of our faith and I need to keep myself focused on that.I know you will be watching your little nephews and

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-52655353067115867192010-03-31T13:22:00.003-04:002010-03-31T13:28:12.970-04:00

Dear Chris,Never have I felt as desperate as today to have one of your big warm hugs! Up until now, I've been able to survive on my faith but that is getting harder and harder to do.I can't talk to anyone about what is going on - and I feel so lonely. The last bit of what we have of you is being ripped away from us. I know I will get through this - I always do - but right now I feel like there

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-5711864679856358822010-02-27T22:03:00.002-05:002010-02-27T22:20:02.789-05:00

Dear Son,This week marked the first birthday of another nephew who will never know you personally but will always know you in their heart. Little Mikey is still too young to understand but he will one day hear some wonderful stores of his Uncle Chris just like Christopher does.Little Christopher still amazes me - how smart he is for his young years. Yesterday as we sat and ate lunch together,

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-67272513152292647282010-01-23T22:28:00.003-05:002010-01-23T22:36:26.540-05:00

Dear Chris,Just a couple of hours away from your twenty seventh birthday. Just about at this time, twenty seven years ago, I was preparing to go to the hospital. I remember all the details, as if they were yesterday. God blessed me beyond anything I could imagine!!! My firstborn, my precious child, a joy that could not be explained in words. And now I sit and remember....all I have left are those

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-46009478433611612602009-12-26T10:04:00.002-05:002009-12-26T10:11:43.184-05:00

Dear Chris,It was hard - another Christmas without you. How you loved Christmas! All week long, as I tried to busy myself and not "think", memories filled my mind at an even faster pace than usual. Over and over, I kept picturing your last moments - what were you thinking, how were you feeling. I can't bear the thought that you suffered so much those last minutes of your life. And I wasn't

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-73321991987494786342009-12-04T00:05:00.004-05:002009-12-04T00:10:28.039-05:00

My precious son, Chris,I can't believe you left us four years ago today for your eternal resting place. I relive that day so many times...over and over again. And still, there are times it doesn't seem real.I had the privilege of being your mother for almost 23 years; I was truly blessed. You were one of a kind and touched my life in so many beautiful ways.My heart still aches, the tears still

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-91833509643652281592009-12-01T08:59:00.003-05:002009-12-01T09:03:59.960-05:00

Dear Chris,I woke up today, remembering this morning four years ago - December 1, 2005. I had to leave very early that morning for an overnight business trip and I didn't want to go.The day before you had come home from work early as sick as I had ever seen you. As I walked in your room that morning to kiss you goodbye, I was so torn. How could I leave? But I knew I couldn't do anything but

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-60112137656880015452009-11-29T13:00:00.003-05:002009-11-29T13:04:14.033-05:00

Hi Son,I know you've watched your cousins, Damian and Brandon, play their hearts out all football season. They dedicated this season to your memory and had your initials on their wrists for each game. I know you are proud of them.And now....they are heading to the finals of the DE state championship....on Friday, the fourth anniversary of your death. They've wanted this all season and I know

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-34291172381718779132009-11-25T22:23:00.004-05:002009-11-25T22:31:38.347-05:00

Dear Chris,We're about an hour and a half away from another holiday without you. And as if it wasn't hard enough to spend another holiday without you, drama begins again. I don't understand why people have to make holidays even tougher for me.As much as I try to continue with traditions, I am not sure it is worth it anymore. I'm just really down.Do you remember, "I wish you enough." I'm

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-42482960925691566352009-11-11T12:03:00.004-05:002009-11-11T12:09:05.211-05:00

Happy Veterans' Day my dear son!!This is a bittersweet day. I sit and remember the sacrifices you made for your country and how proud you were to serve. Then I remember, too, how God put that smile back on my face 3 years ago this day - with the birth of your namesake.I was so proud of you for serving and I am still am. The tears have been flowing all day as the memories flow through my mind.I

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-83360165367474675892009-10-23T21:49:00.003-04:002009-10-23T21:56:22.677-04:00

Dear Son,I celebrated another birthday without you this week but your family made sure it was a special one and I had a really good day. I thought about you a lot and I always remember how much you loved birthdays and holidays. I also know how you would want us to continue our traditions........so we do.But it never fails.........every time I think I can take a step forward, it seems I go back

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-41863208386758251552009-10-10T23:00:00.003-04:002009-10-10T23:06:59.739-04:00

Dear Chris,I sometimes look at the world around me and wonder why some people just don't "get it". There is so much emphasis on "self" and we, as a country, are now reaping what we've sowed. I can't understand why so many who label themselves Christians are walking through this life in such an ungodly way. Though I want for everyone I know and love to spend eternity with us, I am beginning to

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-65206151678984086342009-09-28T23:48:00.002-04:002009-09-28T23:54:22.105-04:00

Dear Chris,I'm going through a rough time right now and at times like this I miss you more than ever. I never expected you to solve my problems but there was just something about your smile and your reassurances that made things better.I have been going through so many "flashbacks" lately - not sure why. And even some of the anger issues are trying to resurface but so far I'm keeping them at

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-82922583527661420332009-09-20T14:42:00.002-04:002009-09-20T14:45:39.442-04:00

Hi Son,It's another one of those days...I call them my "Chris Days". I wake up on these days and nothing goes right all day long. I "see" you everywhere, can't stop thinking about you and wish you were here to comfort me. On days like today, I just want to crawl back in the bed, hide under the covers and hope when I wake all my pain will be gone.I miss you so much!!!Love ya,Mom

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-33743748193834049262009-09-06T15:57:00.003-04:002009-09-06T16:02:50.685-04:00

Dear Chris,I've often heard it said that babies are God's way of showing us that life goes on. In the same hospital where you left us, a new life entered the world this weekend.Though I haven't met him in person yet, I've seen pictures of him....and little Colton is a beautiful blessing for James and Alissa. I know you are proud of James and I believe he will make a great Daddy.These little

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-73257054550338965992009-08-25T21:05:00.002-04:002009-08-25T21:13:32.630-04:00

Dear Son,You still have a way of comforting me even though you're not here with me now. As I sat tonight and reflected over the last couple of weeks, I "saw" you and "heard" you saying, "Mom, it's going to be okay." And you are right, everything is going to be okay.First one a.c. unit, then the next, then a hot water heater, then a Jeep, the tragedy occuring with some family members and now the

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-44840504434890151692009-08-17T08:40:00.007-04:002009-08-17T09:17:15.134-04:00

Dear Chris,I know memories aren't the same as having you here with me but they can brighten up what sometimes is a dreary day.The last couple of days, as I watched your nephews splashing around in the bathtub, a lot of pleasant memories flooded my mind. I found myself laughing and actually feeling good inside. You know where I'm going with these thoughts. There is one specific incident that came

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-44601643553063412782009-07-31T22:29:00.003-04:002009-07-31T22:43:23.429-04:00

Dear Chris,Today I received an email.....one with a video that I have seen before....and it made me bawl like a baby again. So often people tell me how they admire my strength, my courage......and then I look at this video and I feel so small compared to this wonderful mother. I cannot even begin to imagine what she was feeling. I know what it means to lose a child and I know all the heartbeak

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-7345425967474743352009-07-27T14:00:00.003-04:002009-07-27T14:11:02.046-04:00

Hi Son,As some of us gathered at Uncle Frank and Aunt Michelle's mountain place this weekend, it brought back so many memories of my last visit there. It was five years ago......the whole family together for the 50th anniversary surprise. And you were with us then.......and how I wish you were with us this weekend. I was picturing little Christopher following you around and you making "goo goo"

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-82292687849990364372009-07-17T14:37:00.002-04:002009-07-17T15:35:58.722-04:00

Dear Chris,Yesterday, my devotion was on self pity; I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since then. "Self pity is a slimy, bottomless pit. Once you fall in, you tend to go deeper and deeper into the mire. As you slide down those slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness is profound."The answer, of course, is to look up and see the light of His presence.

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-72560894627523584552009-07-13T14:55:00.003-04:002009-07-13T15:00:43.789-04:00

Dear Chris,I'm still in that funky mood. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get away from it. Tears flow for no reason. I pray for peace but I can't seem to grasp onto to it. It's at times like this that I miss you more than ever. I'm not going to ask why......I refuse to go there.....I know, deep down, the answer to that question. I may not always want to accept it, but I do know the

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-75120860200365932312009-07-11T11:32:00.003-04:002009-07-11T11:45:27.750-04:00

Good Morning Son,There's an eerie stillness in the "neighborhood" today; Mike and Amber and the boys are away at the beach. My normal busy weekend has turned into a very quiet event and I don't handle quietness very well.It's at times like these that I "think" too much, relive that night, relive so many uneasy feelings. I start to fall in a direction that I don't like going. I cope better when

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-69202015890236091752009-07-09T09:40:00.003-04:002009-07-09T09:59:58.273-04:00

Dear Chris,I sit, each morning, and reflect on my growing prayer list. God gave me the wonderful gift of intercession, as he did you while you were on this earth. Many times, though, I feel like I want to do something "tangible" for people in need; I feel like when I say, "I will pray for you.", that it isn't enough. Shame on me for that.....what a privilege it is to pray on behalf of those in

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1492445403054235600.post-25313153161352441932009-07-08T22:55:00.000-04:002009-07-08T23:08:21.666-04:00

Getting my feet wet in the blogging world. I've thought for months about starting a blog for my business but felt prompted to start with a personal blog first. I'm not sure where God is leading me with this because I will most likely be exposing a lot of private feelings......but I follow His lead. I've written all my letters to Chris in a private journal since his death. This will be a lot

Deb Perohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17635212255193606510noreply@blogger.com1