Hey Andrew,

I've become trigger happy today...can't seem to stay away from you!  I was cleaning out some things in your closet and found a pair of baseball pants of yours. I think they were the ones that you wore for spring ball in 05.  The grass stains and dirt were still there, just as if you had just taken them off.  I guess you must have thrown them in the closet and forgot about them...maybe it was after the last game of the season.  Anyway, I can't wash them...just don't have the heart to do that right now.  In fact, I think I may put them in your curio cabinet just as is...a part of you, a part of that last game, a part of you that we'll never see again.

I love you Andrew.  Thank you for being such a good son and brother to Amy and Kaitlyn.  You'll never know how much they miss you.  I'm just more verbal and creating this tribute for you has been such an important part of my life.  If no one reads these words, other than myself, I'm satisfied that they were written.  That's all that matters to me.  All my love and kisses to Heaven....Deb

Hey Handsome young man,

I've wanted to post this picture since I began this site.  Elizabeth was your last love and I knew that.  She was good for you and made you a better person in any way that she could.  She loved you and we all saw that.  She was so pitiful during your hospital stay...wore one of your shirts the entire time it seems.  I'm not sure what transpired, but she hasn't spoken to us since your funeral.  That saddens me, primarily because I would like to know that she's doing OK and to share your curio cabinet with her.  Regardless of any issues that may have occurred that I'm not aware of, you loved Elizabeth and she loved you.  I'm almost positive that this was taken on your 18th birthday, six and a half months before you left us.  Hope this doesn't offend her but I believe that you would want for me to share this picture.  Lord, how handsome you were!

Love ya lots and always,

Deb

Hey Andrew,

I remember looking @ this picture of you and for the first time, I saw that you were growing into a young man.  During the next few years, the braces came off, you buffed up a bit, and you were truly a handsome sole.  Fly high my baseball angel...be happy and free.

Love,

Debi

Hey Andrew,

I've been searching through tons of pictures and came across this one. I was pregnant with Kaitlyn and you were 4 years old in this shot. I remember that day vividly buddy.  You were absolutely wearing my pregnant soul out, both physically and emotionally.  WHY, WHY, WHY????? You always managed to ask me the strangest questions and I couldn't even "make up" a response that would satisfy you.  I remember a couple sitting on the side of the pool.  They thought you were precious.  You proceeded to tell them that I swallowed a watermelon seed and somehow it grew into a baby girl and she liked for you to put your mouth on my tummy and say "COOKIE MONSTER."  To this day, I will never know where that came from.  You were like that though...very real and spontaneous.  I miss our conversations and the way you used to always give me bear hugs.  You were always a hugger and a kisser...send some down for all that love you Andrew.  Always, always in my heart and sole and never, NEVER, will I let your memory die.

Loving you yesterday, today and for all tomorrow.....

Hey Andrew,

Just wanted to send you a picture of your older sister Amy and her boyfriend Michael.  I wish you could have met him buddy.  He loves the beach, baseball, surfing, fishing....etc!  You would have really liked him; he's a good guy and Amy seems very happy with him.  Kisses to Heaven from us all....

Luv u always and forever........Deb

Hey buddy,

I remember taking this picture of you just days before your accident.  I often wonder what made me suddenly feel the need to take pictures of you in the pool.  It's strange Andrew; almost as if a higher power told me to take pictures of you while I still had the opportunity.  I know that sounds strange, but most mothers will agree that we simply stop taking pictures of our children as they grow older.  We still take them, but not with every spontaneous movement they make..they don't like it and it becomes too much of a Mom hassal!  I am so thankful I grabbed the camera and took those five pictures of you.  I remember standing on the deck looking down, and you were looking up, floating on the boogie board.  You had been working out at the gym and your arms sure were buff.  I wish I could stand on that same deck and take pictures of you for the rest of my life.  I know that I can't but to whomever, wherever, I THANK YOU FOR LEADING ME TO THE CAMERA THAT DAY.  A week later, we were making burial arrangements for you.  Such a painful, emotional time that was.

I love you sweet boy and I miss you with every ounce of my heart and sole.  Play ball buddy and send all of those left behind some of your sweet smiles, hugs and kisses.

Debi

Hey Buddy,

I found this on the internet yesterday and wanted to share it with you.  If you could have written this, my heart tells me that the words below would have come from your huge heart.  Please never feel alone, as I'm sure you don't.  You're probably the most popular guy in Heaven, as you were here on this earth.  I love you so much Andrew; I'm wearing your shirt right now...# 14!

Hugs and kisses from me every minute of every day.

Mom,

Please listen to me, as I take time to write....

I see parents struggling daily.

Their pain is such a flight....

All of us who have gone on, and left the rest of you behind...

We're OK Mom, I promise.

Heaven is beautiful and God is kind.

You used to tell me that one day, God would call you home.

You told me you would make me strong, so I wouldn't feel alone.

But things just happen sometimes Mom....

That do not fit our plans.

I wasn't scared Mom, when God held out his hand.

I didn't want to leave you....I didn't have time to say good-bye...

When the angels said, "come with us," there wasn't time to question why.

I've watched over you daily Mom.  It hurts to see you cry.

I don't want you to be unhappy..just because we didn't get to say good-bye.

Tell the others what I'm telling you.

so many parents need to know....

That earth was just a lay over...we had another place to go.

I know you miss me Mom...your heart is broken in two,

But God really needed me, because my earthly life was through.

I'm always alongside you...

I smile and touch your hair.

I whisper "Mom, I love you,"

You just can't see me there.

I'm the one who gently touches you, On your shoulder when you're sad.

I'm happy now that you've finally found God again, and are no longer mad.

Tell the parents, Mom, for me...

That all of us kids are okay.  God had plans for our lives....

When he called us home that day.

I love you Mom, I always will...

And remember I'm not far away.

We're going to be together....

when God calls out your name,

Love,

Your Son

I miss you so much today buddy.  It's as if time passes and the pain becomes more intense.  Perhaps I was simply numb for such a long time.  Now, I hear your voice, I see your face and each time I see a black Talon on the road, my heart begins to pound and I feel anxious.  If it could be you, if there was any way to bring you back, I would do whatever it would take.  If just one more time, we could prop up the pillows on our king size bed and watch Friends and Everyone Loves Raymond.  Now it's hard for me to watch those shows.  You're not here to laugh with me and I cry over things that should be funny.  Just always know that I thank God everyday for bringing you into my life.  You were truly a keeper!

I love you my handsome young man...rest in peace.

Deb

Merry Christmas in Heaven Andrew. I took Grand-Ma Altman to visit you today and I went back later...alone.  I wonder Andrew, do you see us?  Do you know that everyone of us who knew you and loved you are still in so much pain?  If you do, please send us all a sign that you are OK and that you never felt pain or fear.  Just let our hearts feel the relief that we need in order to move forward until we meet again one day.  I gave Uncle Lee, Aunt Phylliss and Granny a beautiful, framed picture of you for Christmas today.  They all spoke of how handsome you were.  I should have made copies and framed them before now, but some things take time.  I remember taking that picture of you, the one in your "token" shirt, leaning against the bar in our kitchen.  Where did the time go buddy? 

A new year begins soon without you, taking the last time we all saw you further and further away.  That's distrubing in so many ways, yet the reality of it all tells me that you're still here.  You're here in songs that we hear, in a breeze that touches our faces, in the sudden memories of days gone by...we just can't touch you or feel your arms around us with those big bear hugs.

Amy and Kaitlyn had a great Christmas.  They missed you as did your Dad and I.  People tell me that this will pass....will it Andrew?  I am so cautious of the girls now.  I just can't imagine something happening to either of them.

Well buddy, rest in peace, sleep tight and send us kisses.  We will always love you Andrew.............Deb, Dad, Amy and Katie

Hey Andrew, 

Your baby sister celebrated her 15th birthday today.  We went to your favorite place; Texas Road House.  I saw your face everywhere I looked; I remembered birthdays and holidays and just some week-ends when we wanted something good to eat.  You loved that place Andrew.  I wish you could have seen Kaitlyn when the staff came out clapping and singing "Happy Birthday!"  You know your sister Katie; that could have gone either way, but she took it well I suppose.

I look at the girls and I see how much they've lost in not having you around.  I also know how much you loved them and protected both of them from your heart.  I try not to think of the fact that you won't be there for their weddings or for the birth of your neices and/or nephews.  It still seems unreal that you're not coming back Andrew.  I can hear your voice, I can see your face, and I can imagine how things might have changed, had you lived.  It wasn't meant to be and I know that now, but I still feel so sad when I think of days gone by.  Kaitlyn's boyfriend plays varsity football and baseball.  We can't wait for the baseball season to begin, but sitting there at Pine Forest is going to remind me so much of you.  He (her boyfriend) reminds me of you. (Imagine that!)

Andrew, if you were here, I know you would wish Katie a Happy Birthday, lecture her about boys and give her one of your big, strong bear hugs.  Send one down for her buddy.  A big brother is a bad thing to miss out on!

I love you Andrew.  Never, ever will I forget you, nor will I let your memories die.

You will always be my bonus boy. Here's a picture of the "baby sister"...now 15!

Love,

Deb

I have a new memory to share, one that leaves me feeling so much pride, yet still somewhat devastated.  We recently received a letter from another one of Andrew's organ recipients.  A twelve year old boy who had been critically and chronically ill since birth with a kidney abnormality, received one of Andrew's kidneys on July 17th, 2005.  He is now growing, eating his parents out of house and home (while keeping the food down..something new to him), he's able to spend the night away from home now, has taken tennis lessons and no longer needs growth hormones.  He truly has a new life and will now have an opportunity to grow into a healthy young man. Andrew would be so proud and in many ways, our son lives on.  God Blee You All........Deb 

Hey buddy, it's me; your "bonus Mom."  It remains so difficult for me to face the reality of your absence.  It's been 13 months now, yet in my heart, I still wait for you to prop up in bed with me and watch "Everybody loves Raymond"  and "Friends."  You told me often that so many of your own friends thought that you looked like Ross on  "Friends."  Now, when I watch the show, I see it; I really do!  Perhaps it's just a part of me that needs to see you alive again, but you did resemble him Andrew.  (You might have been just a TAD more handsome!)  I know, spoken like a true Mom!

I was so blessed to have had the opportunity to share in your life for 15 years.  You were always into something and never, ever afraid of challenge.  We laughed about you believing that I had "eyes in the back of my head" so often.  The day that you crept slowly into our bedroom and began gently searching through the back of my hair was one that will always remain in my memory as a Kodak moment.  And then there was your proud announcement that you had received "The most Pathetic" award at school.  I was livid until it occurred to me that you most probably confused the word, pathetic, with athletic.  (which I later learned to be the case.)

Watching you grow into a young man was quite different from wathcing your sisters grow up.  They loved you so much Andrew, as they do today.  You had become so protective of Kaitlyn; she's really missing out in not having her big brother here to watch over her.  You're still watching; she just doesn't know it.

I love you Andrew and my heart will always have a special place for the little boy with the big brown eyes that grabbed my heart and sole at the age of three!  Rest in Peace buddy.

Love,

Deb

You were supposed to be my pro shortstop and take me to your games so I could yell "Get me a hit "Pooter".  Love you, Grandma