A post by Linda Anderson, DeDe’s mom.
June 15, 2012 is the 1 year anniversary of the last times I shared with David, DeDe, Luke and Ryan. This week has been very difficult emotionally for me as I relive the moments of that last visit. We all shared dinner together the night of the 13th and that was wonderful as many times when I visited DeDe and David were working late and ate on the run, so to be able to all sit and share this time was so nice and ever so precious now as I remember and it being our last dinner together! On Friday DeDe was able to get away for a few hours and so we took Luke and Ryan to the Boardwalk and they got their season passes for the year that day.
They each took a friend with them and the four boys had a great time riding the rides and having so much fun. It gave DeDe and I time together as we watched them and waited between the rides. We shared a oriental chicken salad wrap at the boardwalk and it was delicious! ( I will make that a special meal when ever I can when visiting the boardwalk. ) That night as they decided who would sleep with Nana (they rotated nights but I think Luke was soon growing to old to sleep with Nana), Ryan was the one and he asked me to tell him a story which was one of his favorites ” The Diamond Eye Fish”, which I made up as I told it.
Ryan had a birthday party to go to so Luke and I decided that we would go garage sale shopping (a activity we all always enjoyed together for many years), and Luke found his turntable and some really neat old records (classical). I understand that he played them a week later with Uncle John and Gpa Edward on Father’s Day and they had to name the song and the artist! WE also got a couple of succulent plants for Ryan as he was really getting into plants and Bonsai trees! I had to leave that afternoon for a wedding. I would have loved to have stayed and had I known what a difference in all of our lives was about to happen I would have.
On that visit the boys and I went downtown to the silver store and they picked out a toe ring for me, they both decided on the same one that had waves on it which reminded all of us of the ocean and their fun times in the water. I lost the ring at the wedding and was very upset and looked very hard for it. I was blessed in finding a ring exactly like it after the accident and I bought it and wear it on my little finger on my left hand and as I look at it I remember the fun we had that day and am reminded of the love they had for me and me for them.
I have been so blessed and am so greatful, even with a heavy heart and some sad tears as I remember and feel the loss so heavily. I continue to feel their presence with me and am actively waiting for each touching, I know they feel my love and I believe they are happy where they are but feel a sadness and such strong love for all of us that miss them so very much and are always remembering them. Love I send to Heaven and Love I send to all that are remembering with me these four wonderful Houghtons! Forever Mom * Nana
You are an amazing woman, mom, and Nana, Linda!!
June has been an emotional one for us as well.
Please know you are not alone in missing them immensely!!!
Some interesting thing have come to light since the accident last year.
June 13th, 2006, I was in a car accident with 3 close friends. We were thrown from the back of a pick-up truck and all ended up on the road. I was unconscious for a short while. During that time I had an out of body experience, I did not realize until this last year what had happened! I was looking down on all of us and the forest around us was lit up like daytime. We all survived the accident, some with broken bones and I was lucky to only have stitches. I remembered that night and the unusual experience so well, but did not realize what it was until a friend, whom I have not seen in 10 years, found me via Facebook, (the same day I found out about DeDe’a accident.) My friend was in a horrible motorcycle accident, and had an after life experience. As he described his experience, I realized what I had seen 25 years earlier.
Sounds crazy but life is that way!!
All this has really made me think deeply about life and the after life.
I now know that there is more!!!
I am glad to hear that you feel their presence with you!!
I still miss them so much! The last time I saw DeDe and Ryan, was July 5th, I was so wrapped up in my life that I completely forgot that they had just returned from their trip. I wish I had taken the time to ask her and listen to their fun adventure.
I would never have known how much that family meant to me had they not left us so soon!!
Thank you DeDe and David for all you have, and continue to teach us!!!
Live life to the fullest and love each other the same!!!
Love and hugs to you Linda, Houghton family and all who love and miss them!
i’m sending comforting energy to everyone who loves david, dede, luke and ryan and are really missing them this week. all who grieve and the memory of their lives are not forgotten.
I spent some time today going through the hundreds of pictures that were collected for the service. I am once again humbled by their example, and so appreciative of our time together on earth.
My prayers are with you all, and most especially this week. Anniversary times are difficult times and in time, things become easier I understand.
My Dad died one month ago this Sunday so I share your grief.
Jane