May his memory be a blessing...In Jewish tradition, each time you think of someone who has passed on or say their name, they are blessed and so are you. The memory you have of them turns into a blessing for you and for their soul.

Kevin~Jake~Alex

      I sit on my front step and watch the cars come and go, in and out of their driveway, and I sadly think, "I can't even imagine..."  Then I remember that everything happens for a reason, right?  Good or Bad, there is a reason that things happen.  Right now I can't think of any reason for this to happen to any family, but then I think "I am grateful for those who have been supporting them, praying for them, and keeping his memory alive.....if his memory is to be a blessing, his soul will be blessed beyond our lifetimes."

5 weeks ago, our 16 year old next door neighbor, Kevin, passed away in a car accident.  This child's family, The Messers, (John, Kimmarie, and Alex) have had an outpouring of love and support from family, friends, teachers, coaches, and I'm sure strangers as well.  I have witnessed a sense of love and community far past my expectations. Tragedy struck and all of these people came together. I live in a big city, a city where there are too many high school teams and school districts to count... where you feel like your child may just be a number. 

Until this...a child passes away, and all of a sudden your community becomes one.  You realize just how much of an impact your family and your child have had on so many people throughout the years.  As I sit on my front step, I watch individuals who are feeling so much loss, come and go from this home, a home that is suffering the same great loss but to a much greater depth. Individuals who only want to help them get through the darkest days by bringing the beautiful, bright memories that Kevin brought to so many people. 

 Kevin was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, athlete... He touched so many lives in so many different ways, that everyone wants to reach out and offer support.  This family will never feel alone.  Meals had been planned for the month of July, but because so many families wanted to help, this went through August.  A memorial fund had been set up that far exceeded anyones dreams!  The Messer's have donated, in Kevin's name, equipment to numerous football programs, equipment that cannot always be afforded by the kids or their families.  The outpouring of everyone's need to do something has been brought out in a way that Kevin would be so proud of.  Kevin's friends still are stopping by the house to "hang out" with his family.  They are welcomed into his home because this is what his family needs as well.  The sights and sounds of friends...talking, laughing, joking, and sometimes crying.  The healing slowly starts...
     There are many things that people will miss about Kevin and think about everyday. For me it is mostly sounds...The baseball games in the backyard, balls hit into our yard for Cody to chase, and especially the sound of basketballs!  Here I sit, thinking...and listening...
Everyone will have their own thoughts, feelings, and memories...And because Kevin touched so many lives, his soul will be blessed forever