In Remembrance...

Coffee of the Day - Spiced Hazelnut

Today is a bittersweet post.... one year ago today a young man walked into Chardon High School and killed 3 of his fellow students. several others were injured, but so many more in our small community were forever impacted. Ryan was a senior at the time.

(entire student body of Chardon High School, taken on March 16, 2012.

our son Ryan, is on the 50 yd line at the uppermost 'V' of the heart)

I could tell you story after story of the heroes that day. I could tell you so many other stories of how lives were touched by the love that was poured out upon our students and village. One that stands out so strongly for me is the mother of one of the young men killed who immediately offered forgiveness to the man who pulled the trigger. How many of us would do the same if ever in her shoes? I certainly can't say that I would.

I have a sign that still stands in my front yard that reads, 'we will never forget.' It has been up far longer than what would be considered 'acceptable' to keep it posted. red ribbons still hang around the trees in our yard, somehow still crisp and vibrant, even through the multitudes of rain and snow.

But the card I made goes to one young man who has been a friend of our family for many many years. he played t-ball and then baseball with  my sons. our families have had cookouts together, gone to church together, watched Super Bowl games together, even learned how to ride 4-wheel motor bikes together. He is a senior this year. On that day last year, he was sitting in the cafeteria when the shooter entered. both of his friends on either side of him were shot and killed. I'm shaking as I type this..... I can not even fathom what he went through that day and all of the days since. David keeps in touch with his parents since I can not so easily.

As this anniversary approached, I knew immediately who I NEEDED to make a card for, and all of my sons did not hesitate to sign when they were home this weekend..... our hearts break for what this young man has been through and still goes through. he needs to know that he is not alone. tragedy may strike, but he has not been forgotten. he is loved, just as you are loved - truly, deeply.

card details:
image by A Day for Daisies, papers by Basic Grey Aspen Frost, dies by My Favorite Things and Spellbinders, buttons are vintage. stars are painted with shimmerz, clouds are outlined with stardust stickles. glimmer mist was sprayed on main image, but I was using a new bottle that jammed & blobbed all over.... sorry.

Challenges:
ADFD - use a die cut
Paper Shelter - animal
WAW - anything goes with encouraging sentiment
Anything Goes - make it manly
City Crafter - wings of an angel (things with wings)
Craft Room - something for a man
Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - thinking of you
Digi Darla - masculine
Pink Elephant - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
All That Stickles - stardust stickles