MISS you Jim!!! - from Jim's cousin Tami

I will never forget the surreal phone call one year ago. I still have a hard time believing that it was true. One year ago..... How can such a sweet, kind caring person be taken away from this world. What cold, callous HEARTLESS being could take him away? They do not deserve to take another breath. Jim you are TERRIBLY missed. I look at all the pictures that I have of him on a regular basis. I will NEVER forget that silly spring horse that he loved so much and the sounds it made as he rode it everywhere....or his Big Wheel. I will never forget the sweet smile and those eyes. That curley blonde hair he had as a baby.......SOOOOO cute. Going out for pizza.....just cheese please. Getting joy from simple things..... Jim we were not close in our "adulthood" but that did not take away from the heartwarming memories/feelings we all shared. I cannot imagine the sorrow your mom and sister feel daily. If I lived closer I would HUG them tight and tell them that we will all meet in heaven! I feel he is looking out for us! Thank you Jim for being you.....it was an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to be related to a "gentle" man such as YOU!I LOVE YOU!!!Cousin Tami

April 10, 2009 - the last day of "a year ago"

Recently it hit me that soon I would no longer be able to say, "a year ago I talked to Jim; a year ago I saw Jim..." No more a year ago anything about Jim as a live person, as tomorrow it will be, "A year ago Jim was viciously murdered by some unknown person(s)." Harsh words, I know. Harsh thoughts, too. But it is what it is and I am so saddened.

This past year when I've found myself at my lowest, someone always comes along to say just the right thing to bring me back up. It is truly amazing - the support system that both Julie and I have. I really appreciate all of Jim's friends, my personal friends, Julie's personal friends and my wonderful family for their constant love, support, prayers and kind words. It helps me and Julie more then anyone will ever know.

I have invited a bunch of Jim's friends to the house tomorrow to celebrate Jim's life. I hope it will be healing for Julie and me - my heart says it is the right thing to do. We will place the stepping stones back out in Jim's memorial garden and tell great stories about Jim. I know we will laugh and most assuredly we will cry, but it will be nice to visit with those who grew up with Jim and loved him so much.

Please remember Jim tomorrow and always.

Love, Joanne (Jim's MOM)