Bryan's 24th Birthday Celebration held March 14, 2004

March 17, 1980 - January 9, 2004

On Sunday, March 14, 2004, we held a birthday celebration at Bryan's gravesite at Westminster Church ... we selected this day so that more people would be available to attend even though his actual birthday is the 17th. Readings were done by Kathy, Mike, Amberly and Cris and was officiated by Rev. Bob Norris who lead us in prayer. Even though it was pouring down rain, windy and cold, dozens of Bryan's friends and family showed up to share in this celebration of Bryan's life. After the readings and prayers, we released 24 green and white balloons in honor of his St. Patrick's day birthday along with 2 blue ones symbolic of his blue eyes.

In addition to the balloons we released, Sherry had brought three mylar balloons: two HUGE blue butterflies and one Happy Birthday one. It was our original intention to leave these at the grave, but the wind was whipping them around so violently that we ended up taking them home with us. Amazingly, during my reading of The Cord, several people noticed that the two butterfly balloons stopped flapping around and literally came to me and stuck to my side during the entire reading. When I finished, the balloons released from my side and began flapping wildly in the wind again. I was so emotional during my reading that I didn't notice, but at the party at home after we left the church, more than one person came to me and told me they were amazed by this. Several said they wished they had had a camera because it was so unbelievable! The butterfly balloons were about 2 feet tall each and were bouncing out of control for the entire time except when I was reading my poem to him.

Here are the readings that were read:

The Cord
Read by Kathy, Bryan's Mom

We are connected,
My child and I, by an invisible cord,
Not seen by the eye.
It's not like the cord
That connects us 'til birth.
This cord can't be seen
By any on Earth.
This cord does its work
Right from the start.
It binds us together,
Attached to my heart.
I know that it's there, though no one can see
The invisible cord
From Bryan to me.
The strength of this cord is hard to describe.
It can't be destroyed,
It can't be denied.
It's stronger than any cord
Man could create.
It withstands the test
It can hold any weight.
And though you are gone,
Though you're not here with me,
The cord is still there,
But no one can see.
It pulls at my heart, it opens the door,
This cord is my lifeline as never before.
I am thankful that God
Connects us this way,
A mother and child,
Death can't take away.

Remember Me
Read by Mike, Bryan's Dad

To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty - remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts,
and your memories of the times we loved, the times we cried,
the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will have never gone.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
Read by Cris, Bryan's Brother

When tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn't get to say.
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an Angel came and called my name,
and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind,
all those I dearly love.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile

But then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven
and now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand
and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart

Happy Birthday Beans!
Written by and Read by Amberly, Bryan's Sister

Beans ~ I miss you, I miss you
Over & over again
It’s so hard not to think
About what might have been…

I know that you’ve not left,
I know you’re still here,
But I can’t help wishing
Wishing you were near…

The signs you give are amazing
Ignore them we cannot -
We always know it’s you
Without even a second thought…

Beans we all LOVE you so much,
So we will celebrate,
Not just today
But every year around this date…

Embracing memories
that will live on
We celebrate your life
And your spirit so strong…

I know we’re not
that far apart
You will always
Live on inside my heart…

What I miss most
Is your smiling face
Your beautiful eyes,
Your warm embrace…

I invite your spiritual presence
To walk with me
Through my physical life,
Whatever that might be…

Until we can walk together
Down Heavens Lane
When our souls re-unite
On a spiritual plane…

Happy Birthday Beans
Dear Brother of Mine -
You’re amazing and Glorious
~ SIMPLY DIVINE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN!

WE LOVE YOU!

After the ceremony at the church, we all came back to the house for refreshments and fun. One of Bryan's friends whom we had never met, Kim, came and brought her guitar. She played and sang for everyone and was a wonderful addition to the party. Since she didn't know about Bryan's passing until a week before his birthday and had never met any of us, we felt honored that she would come to share in his birthday memorial. All in all, it was a wonderful day and we are sure Bryan was with us in spirit.

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