Andrew Gene Collins

To your wonderful mom

♥MOTHER♥

God took the fragrance of a flower,
The majesty of a tree,
The gentleness of morning dew,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The beauty of a twilight hour,
The soul of a starry night
The laughter of the rippling brook,
The grace of a bird in flight,
Then God fashioned from these things
A creation like no other,
And when His masterpiece was through,
He called it simply...MOTHER

"It's the end of another year and so many thoughts go
swirling through our minds.  For many, it has been a
difficult year - job loss, loss of friends, loss of a home,
loss of health, and possibly one of the most lasting
losses of all - the loss of a child.  For some there will
be no celebration at the end of the year - only a lot
of tears for those dreams that were stolen away so
unexpectedly.
How does a person move on?  How can a person move
into the New Year with joy when so much sorrow
surrounds the heart?  It's not easy, but it helps to
remind yourself often that you are never, ever alone in
your pain.  There are times when we feel alone, but the
truth is that we are surrounded by hope and it is there
for us whenever we call out for help.
Look at nature in any season and be reminded of the
One who is in charge.   Look at the majesty of the
starry sky at night and know that you are counted among
the stars.  Listen to the sounds of the wind rustling through
the trees and hear the whisper of God letting you know He
is by your side.  Look for the rainbow painting the sky
and be assured that you have not been forgotten.  Remind
yourself often that hope is stronger than your pain! "-C. Hinton

"For every tear you cry, there is a seed of hope being watered."

--Clara Hinton

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me."  --Psalm 61:a 

---------------
Clara Hinton

MY NEW YEAR WISH TO YOU

.

May peace fill all the empty spaces around you

and within, may contentment answer all your wishes.

.

May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.

And may the coming year

show you that every day is a first day,

a new year.

Andrew, have a happy Christmas!  I bet the songs of the angels are incredible.  Hope all our angels are celebrating Jesus' birthday together.  Send your family a special gift of the heart full of hugs and kisses.  Shelli, Mom to Angel Chance

My thoughts and prayers are with you always, especially during

the festive season. I am wishing you a gentle day

filled with beautiful memories of Andrew.

MAY YOUR HOLIDAY BE FULL OF LOVE AND BLESSINGS~♥~

KNOW YOU ARE THOUGHT OF ALL YEAR THROUGH~SENDING MY LOVE AND MANY HUGS TO YOU, MY PRECIOUS FRIEND~

THE FAMILY OF DAVID GIRAUD♫♫

 Dearest Debi,

Thank you, so much of writing the beautiful words in Ryan's condolences. I am so sorry that you have had to go through all this pain and heartache. I have been thinking about this being our first year without Ryan. I would like to just stay in bed and see no one on that day, but I have a daughter that I'm close to and two beautiful granchildren. I know this has been really hard on her and it wouldn't be fair to her not to be with her and her family on Christmas.I know that Ryan would want me to.

Everyone tells my that the first year is the worst, it is a year of firsts. I go to the cemetery every day and cry, sometimes I scream when I'm in my car.( There are neighbors close to the cemetery). I want to get Ryan some ornaments, I hope I haven't waited to long.

Your words of encouragement mean alot. Thank You so much for thinking of me and my family. You are so kind, and sweet to reach out to us when you are grieving yourself. Your son is so handsome, I'm sure that he and Ryan will be waiting for us when our time comes. What a joyful day that will be! Andrew, you and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs to all of you!

                                                        Kathy

Dearest Debi,

Thank you for the beautiful words you wrote in my son, Ryan's condolences.Your words have helped me alot, I'm so very sorry for your loss and all the heartache your going through. Andrew sounds alot like Ryan, I hope they have met and are friends. I'm so deeply touched that you have shared your story to help others. It helps to know that someone really cares and understands,exactly what your going through. Your website for Andrew is beautiful, you did a great job! I could feel all the love you have for him, and what a wonderful young man he was. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you comfort and peace. Lots of bear hugs, and love!!

I just want to thank you for the beautiful message you left me. I am new here, just made my sons page a couple days ago. And when I saw your message, I was shocked to see how fast someone saw it.....lol

Your page is the first page I have seen, and you did a beautiful job with it. Your son was very lucky to have a Mom like you in his life. With all the pictures you have, and all the wonderful things you say, you can see you have a beautiful family.

I hate to find parents out there who too have lost thier child, but I am also relieved to know there is someone who understands my pain........

I will keep you and your family in my prayers, and I pray God blesses you all......

I would really like you to know about my Homer, I do have a myspace page that has alot on there and I would love for you to see it. www.myspace.com/bridon

Much love to you,

Donna

DEAR DEBI,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, AND FOR VISITING OUR DAVID'S SITE. YOUR ANDREW IS SUCH A HANDSOME YOUNG MAN, WHAT A WONDERFUL SMILE~YOU MUST BE SO VERY PROUD. WE ARE TRAVELING SUCH A HARD JOURNEY, BUT WE ARE NOT ALONE, ARE WE? OUR DAVID CHOSE TO END HIS LIFE, HE WAS DEPRESSED AND IN SO MUCH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PAIN. WE FOUND OUT OVER A YEAR AND A HALF, WHEN WE RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF HIS AUTOPSY, THAT HE HAD SEVERE LIVER DAMAGE, AND WAS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER, HE HAD ALSO BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CROHNS DISEASE, JUST A WEEK BEFORE. HE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON, A GOOD SON, AND BROTHER. HE LEFT NO NOTE, SO WE ARE LEFT TO WONDER??? I TALKED WITH THE CORONER, THAT'S HOW I FOUND OUT HE HAD CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER, HE TOLD ME OUR DAVID WAS IN EXTREME PAIN, AND THAT HE BELIEVED DAVID MOST LIKELY KNEW HE WAS DYING. EVEN SO, HE NEVER TOLD US, HE WAS ALL ALONE AND IN TREMENDOUS PAIN, IT BREAKS MY HEART OVER AND OVER AGAIN, THAT HE DIED ALONE. MY HUSBAND AND OUR YOUNGEST SON FOUND HIM, NOW THEY HAVE TO LIVE THE REST OF THEIR LIVES WITH THAT IMAGE IN THEIR MINDS. WE MISS HIM SO VERY MUCH, AS I KNOW YOU DO YOUR ANDREW. OUR DAVID LOVED MUSIC, HE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO PLAY GUITAR ( DID HAVE A FEW LESSONS ) AND THE DRUMS. HE RECORDED SOME OF HIS SONGS, AND WE HAVE THEM ON HIS OTHER MEMORIAL SITE: http://david-giraud-1973-2006.memory-of.com  YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR PRAYERS. I KNOW IN MY HEART, THAT WE WILL SEE OUR WONDERFUL BOYS AGAIN, THAT IS WHAT KEEPS ME GOING! GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!! OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO YOU!!

WITH LOVE,

CATHY GIRAUD ( DAVID'S MOM )

I just wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate the kind words you wrote on Rachel's site. The tribute you have made for your beautiful Andrew brought tearrs to my eyes. I, too, felt so much anger after Rachel passed away, and I, like you, know that in God's infinite wisdom lies all truth and goodness-even when it hurts to the very core of our beings. Thank you for putting words to my exact feelings and for sharing your precious son with me.

Deb,

   You visited my daughters site about 8 months ago. I am finally now responding. Today was my first day going into Andrews site. I called my mother and read her every poem, as we cried and cried. It feels to me like I finally found someone else who understands how I feel as the mom of a deceased child. It has been a year and a half since Tiffany died. The pain is still there, strong as ever. It doesn't get easier or better. You do start to remember the funny times and loving times. But I also remember the morning I woke up and found my baby girl on the floor. You don't forget. You go on, but its different. I love my four other children, and people say I keep them in a bubble. Death is permanent. This year Tiffany would be going into third grade. I miss her so much. People dont understand unless they have been through it. Please feel free to keep in touch. Always know that God has our Angels, and there safe and they love us. And nobody can ever take away our memories. My thoughts are with you and your family.

I am so sorry for your pain-People may say "oh ,I know what you are going through" They can only imagine--You have to go through it to know the pain that pulls at your heart every day.Our son , Josh also passed from head trauma---We know our boys are in Heaven-We know they are happy--no pain -no heartache-Only happiness-we just can not help missing them so much. The selfish part of us want them back with us.You did such a beautiful job on Andrews site--Such a handsome young man-- I am Plese visit Josh'ssure he's playing baseball in Heaven--Andrew and Josh are probably fishing--We can only imagine the beauties of Heaven-In God's time we will see for ourselves and we will see our boys again--So looking forward to that day-

Please feel free to visit Josh's site  --Bernard--

Dear Debi,

The strangest thing happened.  I had been here an Andrew's website when I got that little "ding" that I had an email.  It was telling me that there was a new Condolence added to Matt's memorial site by visitor Debi Collins.  You can just imagine my surprise.  I found your son's site through the site of another child, I think it may have been Troy Mitchell.  I had been sitting here reading all about your Andrew. Looking at his beautiful photos.  The story that I could identify with so very much.  I understood so well.  I was sitting here crying reading the pain that you went through for your precious boy exactly in the same way I went through it for mine.  And then I get notified that you had written to me on Matt's site.  You were visiting Matthew while I was visiting Andrew. I don't believe for one second that is a coincidence, Debi.  I believe our boys were behind that.  Aren't they incredible?

Thank you so much for your kind words, for your support.  No one understands like you do. Like a parent that has experience a nightmare like this. (nor do we want them to) And believe me, I don't think it is any different for you with Andrew being your stepson.  You raised him and your love for him is just as strong and I have no doubt that his love for you is equally as strong. 

Right now I am still at that really angry stage.  I know that Matthew is okay.  In fact, I know that he is more than okay.  But it doesn't take away my anger.  I have the trial coming up for the drunk driver that killed him in September.  The guy has been behind bars for close to a year and half now, in jail, but I want him in prison.  Matt forgives I know, I don't.  The only thing I find I can do now is to speak publicly about DUI in hopes of preventing another parent from living this preventable nightmare.  And speaking to law enforcement and thanking them for what they do and reminding them why they are out there doing what they are doing because it can get frustrating for them.  I see so many moms here that are so forgiving and so...I don't know...grateful in some ways.  I don't fault them at all, Debi, I think it is great.  And I know everyone is different. I can't even ever imagine that.  How do you do that when your child is taken away in a blink?  Even when we had the time to hold their hand like you and I did, still, they were taken away in a blink.  They left us and said goodbye whole and happy and the next thing we knew, the next time we saw them, they couldn't even breathe on their own. 

I hate that we have this in common, Debi, but it's nice to have someone that understands.  Our boys, they knew. 

Hugs,

Connie

cbeard3@bellsouth.net

Matthew-Beard.last-memories.com

thank you so much for signing and leaving a condolonce on my page.  You KNOW there is NO condolence that will ever take the pain away, even time is not kind, grief takes on a different face and each day is a new challenge.  I miss Richard every single day but people like you help MORE THEN YOU KNOW.  My freinds are at a loss for words, his freinds are STILL shocked and others still do not know.  The smile he held was always on his face but the inner pain caused him to take his own life and that is the most difficult pain for any parent to deal with, to know that they were NOT ENOUGH to keep their child here.

I have decided that Richard's story would be more effective put to use to help others.  Please go to his myspace memorial page and you will see what I mean  http://www.myspace.com/voicesoftheforgotten

Again, thank you SO much for your kind words regarding my son...I do hope that Richard and Andrew might have met, if not HERE at least in HEAVEN

I read what you wrote on my brothers page I just wanted to thank you for your kind words to my mom and family. I am sorry for your loss we all know what you went through and I wish no one ever had to. My brother was ejected from the vehicle as well but he was killed on impact. Sometimes I wish I had a few more days with him to hold him and talk to him but in other ways I am glad he did not suffer. This is an incident where  you need as many friends as you can get and again thank you and I am so sorry for your loss as well..

Amber Schaeper

Big Sister

http://chance-wilcox.last-memories.com/

We just read the loving words that you left on Jessalyn's page. There is nothing more comforting to know than one she is walking on streets of gold and to know that there are other people (strangers) who can comfort our family in such a time of need. Thank you for your words. We have just looked at your son's page and it gives us great peact to know that Jessalyn is walking with another Angel from God, Andrew. We are sorry for your lost and will continue to keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers! Even though our families may never meet in person we look foward to meeting your family, andrew and Jessalyn at the Gates one day. God Bless

Dear Debbie, I wanted to take the time to sit down and write you and let you know that your not alone in this world of pain and we're here for you . My Son Garrett was taken away from us in a car accident Feb. 14 th 2007.  We never knew of the pain of losing a child until then. We were forced to feel the pain. No one ever thinks it could happen to them they keep the thoughts pushed to the back of their minds not to even want to relate to it but some how it appears to someone to have to face. He left without seeing his daughter born. Gabriella was born on Sept 16, 2007. She is now 6 months. I wished he was here to be with her. Our battle with the pain will never end but hopefuly their memories will ease the pain some how. Andrew is so handsome ... Your love for him shows in the words you speak of him, may your love for him carry you through. I'm just an e-mail away .. You can contact my on Garrett's website.

                                            Sincerly

                                            Windy

Andrew, sending love to your and your family for a blessed Easter..^i^ Karen

You will never know the extent of which your were needed at just the time I read them. As I sat and read your story, tears streaming down my face...I realized that I wasn't alone....that is a tremendous feeling for someone that feels alone even in a crowd of people. I have a wonderful close knit family and we are always there for each other but as you know each loss is different....a sister, a daughter, a mother....so there are those moments when you feel as no one understands the pain in your heart. I read Andrew's page and what a beautiful tribute to an awesome young man...from that page you can tell who Andrew was and what he held dear in this life....I'm sure that some of your strength comes from knowing your sister, Gayle......is watching over your baby boy until you can resume that role again. Your words are so heartfelt, so eloquent....you should truly write...continue what you are doing by touching peoples lives through your loss....you have truly touched my heart and restored something that was missing...so for that I will forever be grateful to you and Andrew.....

                                                               Stacy Edinger(Deana's sissy)