In Loving Memory of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan Houghton

We’ve been thinking about the family a lot as my mom just passed away yesterday. We see many pictures with her holding her grandson. It’s been hard. We love Luke. He was a good reader and stayed up late at night reading books. He also needed his sleep too, so I would imagine he slept late when he could. Remembering Luke on his birthday. We love you, Luke!

Dear Ryan,

I’m thinking about you on your birthday and what your life meant to us. You were a very special and bright kid and I knew that you would be a strong force when you grew up.

I think what I’ve learned is that you never know when will be the last time you’ll see someone you love. Therefore never turn down an opportunity to play, have fun, or give a hug and tell someone that you love them. I regret the times when you wanted to play but I didn’t have the energy.

Sometimes it’s hard when I’m working and my daughter wants to sit on my lap, but I can nearly always make room for her and still get my work done. Sometimes she’ll sit there for an hour or more. Other times when she wants to wrestle, I’ll do it even when I’m tired. Once we start wrestling, I’m not tired any more. In the end, we’re all happier.

Missing you on your birthday. Love your uncle John.

Ryan,

Happy Birthday today! Thinking about you on your special day. I remember what an assertive person you were. Good at arguing with me. I could barely win! I said, wow, he’s got a sharp wit! Rest in peace, my beloved nephew.

Love,

Uncle John

Today is David’s birthday.  He was a great older brother and always protected me.  I remember when I was 6 or so and was playing at a new friend’s house up the street (he was 8, picture left).  There was some confusion about where I should be, home versus at the friend’s house, and he got into an argument with my friend’s mom.  “That’s my property,” he said while pointing to me, “and he’s coming with me.”  He won the argument and off we went.  I didn’t mind that he claimed me as his property because he was trying to say I was his family member and he was trying to look after me.  My mom must have sent him to come and get me.  Thinking about David on his birthday…

It’s been two years since the accident.  I was just thinking about my brother and his family.  He was so full of life and the family so full of happiness.  What a shock to see them go so quickly.  Intellectually I understand it, but emotionally, I still haven’t fully come to terms with it.  I think about the boys and how short their lives were.  I thought about myself when I was 10, what I was thinking and what I was like.  That’s the same age Ryan was when he died.  It’s even hard to write those words, and after seeing them on the screen, I come to realize a little more deeply what happened.  He’s gone ahead of us.  What a brave boy.

Above – Photo of the family from 2006, presumably during construction on their house in Mexico.

I remember Luke and his stories, all full of knowledge and the tone in which he would tell them.  I remember DeDe and her infectious laugh.  David had a different kind of laugh.  He would used to get the kids to eat their food by grabbing it off their plate and eating it.  I do the same thing with my daughter, and it works to an extent.

A post from my sister Cathryn, dedicated to DeDe, today on her birthday.

Remembering you, as always, on your birthday today. Your laugh, your smile, your humor, your compassion, and caring for others, and how I miss my dear friend, sister, comrade in mothering, growing up and growing old together. Love Cathryn

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A post from Cathryn Houghton, Ryan Houghton’s aunt.

Remembering you as always in celebration of your life here with us. With much love from your Aunt Cathryn.

I write this short post while I wait in the airport for my flight.  I’ve been thinking a lot about the family lately and particularly about the boys and about Luke.  Today Luke would have been 14.  He would be just getting ready for High School in Fall.

Luke and I used to like to wrestle.  He was always looking for some way of beating me.  I used to enjoy talking to him at the dinner table and verbally sparing with him in jest.

I remember scuba camping with him when he was young.  When he was “let loose” he was always running around the camp site, looking for something fun and mischievous to do.  I really miss Luke.