Compassionate

I think the only reason why I am writing this is just to see something in print about Jeff. I love the pictures of him and I love the title. Originally I started it because I wanted it to function as a facebook type of thing where people could go in and post comments about Jeff or even speak to Jeff on one sight. Maybe an adult version of James Purpuro facebook group entitled in Jeff's memory. But the reality is that adults - at least the ones I know -- aren't too keen on blogs -- maybe they are not too keen on writing/talking to Jeff the way the kids are. And maybe, as I know is the case, people are passed thinking about Jeff..given the lapse in time between when Jeff died and today.

I put together this Ceremony of Remembrance -- it was help in conjunction with Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candlelight event. The idea was for everyone to light candles around the world at 7:00 p.m. on the second Sunday of December which would mean that there would be candles lit twenty-four hours a day for the children who have died.

I put it together for me to give Jeff's death some purpose. When I think of Jeff one of the words that comes to mind is "compassionate". Jeff helped a lot of kids -- and he turned a lot of kids on to lacrosse. He was incredibly compassionate. So I am hoping to focus the rest of my life on being compassionate so that I may keep Jeff's spirit alive.

Thus the Ceremony of Remembrance...and the candlelighting. We pulled it off only because there was a "we". Peggy, Elaine, Mary Ellen, Nell, Janet and John to name but a few made this event happen. About 120 folks came and a number of families of children who had died. Next year I will start the planning earlier.

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This month is an incredibly difficult one for me and I imagine for any parent who has experienced the death of a child. Jeff was supposed to be here to celebrate with us. He was Christmas. What is left?