When I read the obituaries last night, I began to shake and my stomach went into knots….another parent had joined the CLUB! The club NO ONE wants to be a member of…”The I Lost A Child” club. I just kept reading the obituary over and over and then the memories of Tyler came floodig in…..What I remember most about Tyler were his eyes and his smile. His eyes lit up when you talked to him. They had a “guess what I’m going to do next” twinkle in them. I loved that about him…he reminded me of shorter version of Craig! And that smile…the million dollar smile that you could see for miles!
Even on his way to the principal’s office he would smile, raise his eyebrows and shrug and say….”they just don’t understand me!”
I remember 9 years go when a young boy almost 14 yers old showed up at Eventide Funeral home the night before Craig’s funeral. He hugged me and said ” I am so sorry, Shorty” The empathy, courage and maturity he showed during that time was amazing! You raised a great kid, Howard! Tyler even rode his bike over to our house that summer…just to see how I was doing… that meant so much to me!
Most teachers didn’t understand him….he wasn’t a bad kid..just one who didn’t fit the mould they wanted him to….he had more energy, he was bored easily and wanted answers to his questions..RIGHT NOW! Again, a shorter version of you know who.
Know that Tyler will be thought of often and stories of him will be shared by many in the years to come. His memory will live on through these stories. TYLER HEAL will NEVER be forgotten!
Speak of him often, speak of him honestly (Tyler and Craig were little “shits” sometimes)lol,…and keep talking….this is the start of a tough journey for you and your family!
Our hearts break for you,
Ron and Laurie
