Post from Linda Anderson, DeDe Houghton’s mom. Click on image for larger size.
As 2011 comes to an end, I have been trying to decide how to write my Christmas letter! So much has happened in this year, starting last January I said my farewell to my baby sister Nancy as she gave up her fight with this earthly life, a week later my job ended and I found myself retired with much time on my hands. I was starting to look at my future and what I should do with the rest of my life, or at least the rest of the year. In February my dear friend and first boss in Nevada County Maggie Smith passed from this life, again leaving a question about life’s purposes and circumstances. I was considering a possible move, to get closer to family and David talked to me about a possible change to moving to their property in Baja Mexico at least a few months out of the year, a place they loved and they assured me that they would fly down and spend probably more time with me then they did living 4 hours away. Circumstances again played in my delay from making that decision. Mitch, Cheri, Grant and Bailey still live within an hour and a half from me and I wondered how I could move away and leave them for longer times. Mitch is still working for Steritech and is doing very well and has expanded his area to Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada as well as the northern California region. Cheri continues with her job and home they stay busy with the many activities Grant and Bailey are involved in. Bailey enjoys softball and is on the summer and winter leagues. Grant is a sophmore and very involved with highschool, and enjoys spending time with his friends and is looking forward to getting his driver’s license next spring.
On July 7th, life dealt a blow that has changed our lives forever when we lost our David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan in a tragic airplane crash. Daily I ask myself why and have to call upon my faith and trust in God to find a peace that allows me to continue to count my blessing and cherish the love that they shared with me! I miss them and they are constantly in my thoughts. As Christmas comes I find myself thinking more about Gods love and I am so thankful for all of the angels he has sent to love and comfort me. Their many friends shared their love in each picture and each gesture they did when they put together the celebration of the four lives and they continue to remember and support in their sharing. I have been blessed with many new friends and the renewal of old friendships. I find that music and songs bring peace and help me focus on this love, the friends and family that are here to support and care so lovingly. Their lives were so full of adventure and wonderful moments, they touched so many where ever they were. Friends they had many and enemies none! This boys knew of love and peace and are a big part of my Christmas picture this year. My wishes are for us all to continue to build memories, live life to the fullest and share your love because we never know when that is what we will have left. Thank you to all of you my angels and we all wish you Peace and love this holiday season and in the New year.
We’ll miss them even more as we struggle through the holidays, trying to find peace in the love for them that we all share. I have to say that finding the picture of the boys in this card, (taken on the front of a boat, where else?), where the message IS “peace” and “love” NOW makes me smile. I smile where a few short months ago a picture of them reduced me to tears. I’m happy that Linda could find “the perfect” way to express what these grand-kids have brought to HER LIFE — the four of them over the past several years — and now, what two of them have left to HER LIFE. Their happy faces, happy memories, and happy message TO US. This picture has to help mend our broken hearts, and at this special time of year —— as we remember.
I miss them every day. I have not checked this site in a while it’s nice to see your recent post about the holidays. I drive past the Watsonville airport on my way to my SCUBA job in Monterey every Saturday and Sunday. I think about them every time. I usually tell them I love them and miss them as I drive by. Tonight I got out 4 Christmas ornaments (one for each of them) to place on the tree planted at the memorial. After work I’m going to hang them on the tree. I’m still sad and a part of all those who loved them is gone but will never be forgotten. I want to say Happy Hollidays to all,but those words just don’t fit. So may peace be with you all.
Thinking of all of you during this Christmas / Holiday season when families gather and loved ones who are no longer with us on earth are deeply missed. Remembering the joy that Dave, Dede, Luke and Ryan brought to our world helps to ease the sadness. I still wear the red bracelet in remembrance of them; a reminder to me to live life fully, in joy and generosity and service to others; not to take any moment for granted. They continue to inspire me! Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers ~ peace and blessings!
Your are all in my thoughts. I don’t know if it makes your heart feel any better, even for a moment, but the death of David and his family was a catalyst for me to be even more generous, loving, vibrant in my life. I’d rather they not be gone, of course, but I do feel David’s energy coming through me as I give more and go for it more in my life. The world is still receiving his gifts, just through other’s hands.
I remember meeting David at the circus in scotts valley in 2001 or so. He introduced me to Dede for the first time and she had one of the boys, still a babe, in arms. He was beaming with pride and love to share his family with me, though there wasn’t any selfishness in his energy. It was just pure-Davidness: look how great life is! how are you! joy! i love you! Dede was just sweet and beautiful and reminded me of princess diana.
I walked away and felt so touched by his happiness and thought “wow, he has it all. good for david!”
The most distant memory i have is of one of cathryn’s birthday parties at college 5 and bringing home a goldfish as a the party favor. It was really fun and exotic to play up at the college – the reveaux family was up there, too, around that time. it was either playing up there with you guys or the reveaux’s that we came across a hippie couple making love in the grass field behind kresge. tee hee. i’m not sure we knew what they were doing. there’s probably a parking lot now in that field.
please hug your folks and sister and yourself for me.
xoxoox
Hi Linds, I had a few more vivid memories of Dede, David, Luke an Ryan that I wanted to share with you. Here they are, in no particular order…
Dede saying, ” Be a good listener, Ryan” in her sweet voice as she left him for a play date with Zack at our house. Then when she picked him up, it was always “where are your shoes? Go find your socks please.” the socks were always scattered around our house or maybe wet, out in the yard!
David saying, “Zack is welcome at our house anytime!” with his warm, broad smile.
Luke saying, ” can we go now? ” because as mentioned above he often had to wait while we hunted for Ryan’s socks!
Ryan saying,”Zacky …do you want to play a talking game?”
Well I still hear them saying those things in my mind and remember them with much love. Their beautiful spirits still weave in and out among us.
Here it is the 20th of December and I am spending the evening here at the blog, re-reading the special messages so many have left here over the last year and a half. Messages have stopped and maybe no one is reading the blog these days, but I feel a closeness just being here and sharing. A few weeks ago as I was driving to my son Mitch’s to take my Christmas card picture with Bailey and Grant I was thinking about the many pictures I have from so many years (16 in all). I was thinking how when I started this annual tradition it would be something I could leave for my four precious grandchildren to remember me by and hopefully think and remember the times we shared. I never thought two would be gone and be real angels watching over me from above. As I was driving I looked at the clouds in the sky, which I have always enjoyed and find peace while watching. All of a sudden as clear as could be was a staircase oin the clouds. I was so astounded I blinked and looked again, then I gave thanks for the message I received that they are only a few steps away from me and a reminder that one day I will walk those stairs and be with them all again. A week later as I was in Sacramento again I was once again looking into the sky (yes I was driving and yes I was paying attention just peeking) and well if I had been pulled over and received a ticket for gazing distraction, I would have accepted the ticket and moved on continue my peeking. On that day there right in my view was the most beautiful cloud in the shape of a huge heart. Up in the left top curve was a perfect letter “k”, it took me a few minutes but I finally decided it was a message reminding me of their love and the “k” could be them telling me they are ok! Christmas again without them here, and opening to the memories I hold so dear is painful and sad and yet when I look around me it is easy to believe that these messages I am receiving are from them and the comfort I find is so magnificient it is hard to put to words. Much has changed in all of our lives, children (well I guess us too) are getting older, we get caught up in our earthly lives, many are fearing 12/21/12 and some are finding humor in the fearful believers. Each of us wondering what the New Year will bring! Well for me I guess living in “this” moment and making the most of it is my comfort blanket that warms my body and my spirit. As each of you read this and are pondering your thoughts of David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan, just remember they are near and sharing each day with each of us no matter where we are or what we are doing. God and his wonderful gifts connect us and keep us connected if we just tune in. May you each be filled with Peace, Love, Joy and the loving Spirit of Christmas and each new day! Thinking of you all! Loving hugs! Linda, Mom and Nana forever