Laura Perron and scuba friends were wonderful and made red wrist bands for us to wear to remember the David Houghton Family. The band says “Forever Remember David – DeDe – Luke – Ryan.” These were handed out at the funeral service. If you want one, check back here and I’ll post as soon as I figure out a way you can get one.
As for what’s happened, I still often can’t believe it and I feel an incredible sense of loss. It’s hard when I see a recent photo of my brother and I can see his face and what he’s thinking. I keep waiting for him to walk in with his smile and happy greeting, but I’m not going to experience that again.
I found a nice video piece below covering the service from KSBW:
http://www.ksbw.com/video/28575062/detail.html
8/1/11 Update: If you want a wrist band, please email me at john at johnhoughton dot com with your full name and address and I’ll send you one. I have about 10 left. If there is a large group that would like them, maybe we can reorder.
Thank you Laura, for thinking of the wrist bands. I’m not sure when I’ll take mine off.
Sherry
Hi Sherry,
While I still have mine on too, someone suggested that we put them on our BC’s. I love that idea and the next time I go diving I plan to do just that. I don’t know if your a diver, but I’d thought I pass along someone else’s wonderful suggestion!
And Laura, again, thank you so very much for these remberance bands!
Sue
I am still wearing my “Red” bracelet on my left arm near my heart source. Not because a need a reminder of the loss but as a symbol of my love and a special thank you to a special friend for being so thoughtful in getting them to share her love (Laura).
Yesterday another friend (a school teacher) of DeDe’s was in town for the purpose of seeing me and sharing her loss with me. Carrie and her husband Mitch live in Oregon and she was unable to come down for the celebration service, but they came to town yesterday and we had a very nice afternoon. We started our memorial tour by going to visit the shop and experience the memory window and Carrie took a trip down memory lane as she remembered her certification and her dives with DeDe. The we went out to the Hospital memorial site and took pictures of the Magnolia tree and the beautiful plaque placed to memorialize our family. I unknowingly parked in the exact spot the plane crashed and for a moment was taken back and saddened. I had avoided going there but now am happy that I did and it once again reminds me of the love for these wonderful 4. Our next stop was down to the wharf and I showed them the location that the boyscouts and the city are going to put the Bench at Cowell Beach near the cantalope sculptures. (Then I just had to stop and get a Caramel Apple) (thank you Mitch for fetching for me). Our last stop was to Lighthouse Point and I shared with them the day that we scattered the ashes and said our Farewells to DeDe, David and the boys. We shared tears of sadness but also tears of joy at having experienced the wonderful lives and the many memories we have. Carrie said to me that “I will never look at an ocean anywhere ever again and not think of DeDe and our times shared together”. Another day of shared healing for me, which was so welcomed. Thank you Carrie, Mitch and to all of our wonderful Houghton friends and family.