As I look up to the skies above

As I look up to the skies above
The stars stretch endlessly
But somehow all those rays of light
Seem dimmer now to me.

As I watch the morning sun appear
The shadows still don't fade
As if the brightest light of all
Was somehow swept away.

Though I see the branches swaying
And watch their dancing leaves
The echoes carried on the wind
Don't sound the same to me.

As I listen to the morning birds
Sing softly from afar
It seems to be a mournful tune
That echoes in my heart.

Another day has come again
As time moves surely on
But nothing now seems quite the same
To know that you are gone.

The days and weeks and months ahead
Will never be the same
Because a treasure beyond words
Can never be replaced.

The loss cannot be measured now
The void cannot be filled
And though someday the grief may fade
Your mark will live on still.

For even with my heavy heart
I know that I've been blessed
To have been one who's life you touched
With warmth so infinite.

We Will Meet Again

1 Year Later - You Are Missed More Than Ever!

Lonely Without You Sis

Days are so lonely Chrissy
since you went away
Nights are much darker
I know that's how they'll stay.

The sun is not as warm now
when it shines on me
and the cold seems so much colder
than what it used to be.

Smiles do not light my face
like they used to do before
the greatest times are in the past
they cannot be no more.

My thoughts often take a stroll
away down memory lane
and as I walk around a bend
I see your angel face again.

Rolling tides of yesterday
wash wonderful memories of you ashore
and as I gently sift through each one
my aching heart feels very sore.

Life changed all too quickly
when your glowing light went out
lonely, stranger, so much duller
is what it's now about.

"Happy" is not like it used to be
"Sad" feels much worse too
"Pain" is so much stronger
when I stop and think of you.

Our family chain has been broken
now it is true
but I miss that shining piece of chain
that linked me so much to you.

Life goes on I know it does
You'll help me through
but life will never be as nice
as life was when I had you.

I Miss You So Much Chrissy!!
Love Always,
Your big brother

Halle's Honor Speech for School

On average 13,000 people are killed per year due to alcohol related accidents.  In Minnesota one year there were 131 deaths and in Wisconsin 251 deaths.  These are not just numbers, these are not just statistics, these are 13,000 people who once had great lives surrounded by people who loved them and who now mourn for them.  My aunt Christine Flaherty is someone worth honoring and remembering in a big way.  Christine is not just some number, she was like a second mother to me and it kills me to know that she someday may only be a statistic in a book.  Chrissy’s laughter was infectious; her smile warm, inviting and her heart was the best beyond a question of a doubt.  It would be an honor to be half the person Chrissy was. more....