Thinking of you

Jim, We're all thinking of you alot as the 1st anniverary approaches. Sure wish I could get one of your great hugs right now. Love you forever, MOM

How did it happen that 11 month has slipped by in the blink of an eye? Seems like yesterday. Although I know that I am coping much better, I can still feel the pain I felt immediately upon hearing the news and that hole in my heart is still there.....it always will be. I find myself getting rather tense thinking about April 11, 2009, it's certainly not a day that I want to be alone. I have been contacting many of Jim's friends and hopefully we can all be together that day. There will be 'Jim stories' to share and the return of the beautiful stepping stones to Jim's garden. I do look forward to seeing the plants emerge in the garden, their smiling, warm faces welcoming in the new Spring. I wish dearly that Jim could be here to see it, too; but then, I think he will be.

Love, Joanne
(Jim's Forever MOM)

My Sweet Valentine

I would have sent you your favorites: rice krispie treats and chocolate chip cookies, to celebrate Valentines Day. You would have eaten it all in one day. I miss that.

I love you, Jim
MOM

10 Months - No Closer

With the one year mark quickly approaching, it seems we are no closer to finding out why this happened. 10 months seems like a very long time, yet I can remember so much of the details about those first few days and weeks that it seems like yesterday. A lot has happened in 10 months and it seems unreal that Jim has missed so much and has been so greatly missed at the same time.

My mom and I are heading to Miami shortly to meet with the detectives on the case yet again. I don't know how much more we will learn but having a face to face meeting with them will at least ease our minds knowing that we are doing what we can.

Although it has been 10 months, we still continue to search for answers and well continue to do so until we know who did this, why, and that the person(s) responsible is paying for what they have taken from us.

I love you Jim!
Julie

Pictures from Las Vegas

Making more garden stones for Jim's garden....





Walking out to find the perfect spot


Releasing 28 balloons, each with messages for Jim


Sharing stories of Jim

Happy Birthday Jim from Las Vegas

28 in spirit, Jim was all around us today as we celebrated his birthday with about 15 of his friends from Las Vegas.

We caravaned up to Red Rock Canyon and found a perfect spot to hike back towards the mountains. As we hiked we decided to stop at the top of an upcoming hill and when we got there found a perfect table of sorts made out of rocks... it was if it was waiting for us. We set up Jim's pictures alongside his ashes and then passed out the 28 balloons we had brought with us. The balloons, all blue, each had a tag where we wished Jim a happy birthday, gave the website, and had room for everyone to write their own personal messages to Jim. We released the balloons and watched them as the floated towards the clear blue sky. Afterwards we brought out mini cupcakes with 28 candles and lit them, everyone able to blow out their own for Jim. We spent some time looking at many, many pictures of Jim and then knew it was time to spread Jim's ashes. We passed around the container with his ashes and each spoke of some of our memories of Jim and what he meant to us. It was so wonderful to hear what everyone had to say and only confirmed our feelings of what an amazing person Jim was... always there for everybody, never judging. As the sun went down my mom and I stepped away from the group and found the perfect spot on a hill where we let off the two last balloons and scattered Jim's ashes to the sky. As we were standing there watching the balloons float off, I looked down and found the perfect, heart shaped rock right at our feet and brought it with us. We joined the group, passed around Jim's favorite drink, Miller Lite, and toasted to Jim by all taking a drink. After many hugs and goodbyes we all headed on our way.

Several of us met for a birthday dinner to celebrate Jim's 28 year. While we expected this day to be tough, it was a perfect way to celebrate his birthday. It was hard to let part of him go but at the same time gave us peace... not complete closure but a step forward.

Much Love,
Julie and Joanne (Jim's MOM)

We will add some pictures from today in the near future.

The New Year

At 12:00 a.m. this morning, I was happy to toast to the New Year. I was after all, sick of 2008. Only a few minutes into 2009, I burst into tears for the millionth time this past week. Suddenly I realized that I was officially leaving the year that was Jim's last. Time is marching on. I miss you Jim so very much. I love you. I wish you could be a part of the march.

Love, MOM