Dan,

As the days and months go by, and I sit here day after day trying to understand how this could have happened, I also think of what a huge part of my life you and your family were.From as far back as I can remember we were always together.You were more than a friend, you were part of the family and I felt I was a part of yours.From vacations to fishing trips,hunting to just sleeping over,your mom and dad never minded me tagging along and I will always remember that.I can remember always looking forward to the weekly trips to the woods for spring water,and as crazy as it sounds, shoveling in coal for the winter.Now as I stand around talking to people about nothing particular, I realize almost all my stories start or end with, Danny and I, or me and Big Dan.I had never givin any of those stories a second thought before, but now that you"re gone I realize these stories and the memories that they bring back are all thats left of a dear friend.Those who have always loved you always will. You will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Big Dan.

                                                   An Angel's Kiss

                                 We go through life so often,
                               not stopping to enjoy the day.
                             And we take each one for granted,
                                     As we travel on our way.

                                 For in your pain and sorrow,
                              An Angel's Kiss will help you through,
                                      This kiss is very private,
                                   For it is meant for only you.
                                       We never stop to measure,
                                    Anything we just might miss.

                                  But if the wind should blow by softly,
                                       You'll feel an Angel's Kiss.
                                  A kiss that is sent from heaven,
                                        A kiss from up above.

                                    A kiss that is very special,
                                 From someone that you love.
                                     So when, your heart is heavy,
                                    And filled with tears and pain,
                                  And no  one can console you,
                                      Remember once, again...

                                    About the one you grieve for,
                                       Because you sadly miss.
                                      And the gentle breeze you took for granted,
                                             Was just an Angel's Kiss.

Author Unknown

Danny, You were always such a kind and generous soul. I remember when you were little, you were the funniest little kid without even realizing it. We would all laugh and you would look at us like, "What happened?" Truly kind hearted and innocent. I didn't see you as much when we got older. "Life happened." But, I can say, I still always felt those qualities I saw in you as a child. You were a simple man, trying to lead a simple life, working hard and loving your family with ease. You always seemed so content. I envied that. I wish I would have said that to you, so I am telling you now. I Envied You! It was different knowing you were there and would still be there everytime I came back home. You would come to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Ken's and you would prop yourself back in the recliner, (how Uncle Ken does), watch the kids and tv and just be content. I cannot begin to understand how much your family misses you and the void they must have in their hearts. I can only hope I will be loved half as much as I know you are. GOD Bless You and your Family.

If id known your torment could I have changes your mind?  If given the chance could I have stopped you? This I will regret for the rest of my life, not knowing or given the chance!  I want to hug you and tell you everything will be OK!  The path you chose was so final, no cries for help, no second chances.  If that knock on the door never came would you have talked yourself out of you plan?  No matter how many clouds are in the sky the sun always rises!  There is always tomorrow!  I believe in my heart that you had no idea how many people you were hurting, how many lives that will never be the same without you.  My heart can not believe that you thought what you were doing was best for all!  We are lost without you!  It is such a tragedy that someone so kind and gentle could harm himself.  You didn't deserve this, you of all people!  always!

      Grief is a tidal wave that overtakes you,
         smashes down upon you with unimaginable force.
         sweeps you up into darkness,
         where you tumble and crash against unidentifiable surfaces.
          only to be thrown out on an unknown beach, bruised, reshaped....
       Grief will make a new person out of you, if it doesn't kill you in the making.

Stephanie Ericsson

The irony of your choice consumes me with sorrow, you were the one who made everyone feel better, why could'nt you have let us return that favor to you, I know maybe I was not the one that could've changed your plan, but I would have stepped between you and your weapon, whichever one took your life...

Well Dan it  is now time again for trips to the flea market -for my scrubbies,  Benezette -to see the elk, and fishing season - who can get the nicest trout - my "trophie trout" is still in the freezer!  or pickin blackberries at your special spot. Thinking of these things and how it is just not the same without you, makes it no fun anymore. Miss you so much!

So many people are missing you Dan, your true friends are easily seen and your true enemies are obviously evil and transparrent, those who loved you in life love you in death and those who used you neglected you in life now do so with your memory.

Anger does not even describe what I feel for them, I know in my heart that vengence awaits them in unhappiness and unluckiness forever, Rest in Peace dear Brother, you are apart of us who love you!

 

Dan... I am consumed with the loss of you!  Why did you leave?  Why didn't you call me?  Why didn't you ask for help?  Why didn't you know how much we love you?  Why didn't you know that we would never let anything bad happen to you?  I keep asking myself why over and over again and I can't find the answers!   I want to know WHY!!!  I feel like I let you down!  I am so angry, I never thought this would happen to our family.  You had your whole life ahead of you, and your little girls!  I hope somewhere deep down inside you knew how much i love you! 

                 They are not dead who live in
             the hearts they leave behind.
                                          Native American Proverb

You are in my mind, Dan, in my heart and in my memory.I miss you so much,just knowing your not here stabs my heart with pain, a crushing sadness is left in your wake.

I want to tell you Happy Birthday for Saturday, tell you and not your memory.

                               Time does restore to us our quiet joy
                         in the spiritual presence of those we love,
                         so that we learn to remember without pain.
                               And to speak
                          without choking up with tears.
 
                               But all our lives we will be subject
                          to sudden small reminders.
                          which will bring all the old loss back-
                                OVERWHELMINGLY....

Elisabeth Watson
                               

Danny

Oh Danny boy, the pipes the pipes are calling,  From glen to glen and on the mountainside.  The summer's gone and all the leaves are falling,  'Tis you must go, 'tis you must go and I must bide ! But come you back, when summer's in the meadow,  Or when the valley's hush and white with snow !  Then I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow,  Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy, I love you so ! And if you come, when all the flowers are dying  And I am dead, as dead I well may be  You'll come and find the place where I am lying  And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me. And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me  And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be  If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me  I simply sleep in peace until you come to me. Oh Danny Boy, Oh Danny Boy, I love you so!

There's no cloud up in the sky...
But still yet it is raining.
Its the feeling of goodbye,
When your face started fading.
Its so hard to live with out you,
But your not here anymore.
People still talk about you,
And its so hard to ignore.
My heart stops for a second,
As your memory goes through.
Its so hard to believe what happened,
And what we all went through.

                                       God has not taken him from us,
                                     He has hidden him in His heart
                                        that he may be closer to ours.
                                                        
                                             

I keep thinking of things I want to tell you next time I see you then I remember there is no next time, i try and picture all the things that you won't be a part of in the future and it makes them all seem less like anything to look forward to. Dan I miss you deeply, I'm so sorry you are gone, you were loved.

                                              He Is Not Gone

       Ease your grief, he is not gone
       For in your heart he lingers on.
    His smile, his laugh, his special way,
       Will comfort you from day to day.

       You'll feel his presence in the breeze
        That dances gently through the trees
          And its his face that you shall see
        when you're in need of company.

           At anytime you can recall
        the love you shared...you saved it all.
          And really more than anything,
         You'll find peace in remembering.

Elizabeth Dent

When one loses a parent, they lose a part of their past.
When one loses a child, they lose a part their future.
When one loses a sibling, they lose parts of their past, present & future

I remember that day at the river you were floating on your back with riley on your stomach, hanging on, floating  down the river with you.  She was having the time of her life.  I remember for a second being scared, afraid she would fall off, but i new you would never let anything happen to one of your girls!  I knew she was safe.  You were such a good daddy!  That picture is burnt in my memory, i think of it every day!  How could you leave?  They need you here.  I promise you I will keep them safe for you, always!  I miss you so much! 

Dan,

       There are so many times each day that I think of you, sometimes I see something and it reminds me of you, or I think "Dan would like that" Then I remember again, and it's crushing, that you are not alive anymore. I can't comprehend that I will never see you again, it seems almost impossible that you are dead. I would have never in any thought I ever had expect this. We all(Dad,Mom,Jeff,Ken,Steph and me) are so changed by your leaving, to think that at times in my life I thought I was sad, there is no sadness that competes with the loss of you.

                                       There Is A Grief

    There is a grief that ages the face and and hardens the heart 
                   Yet softens the spirit...
      There is a grief that casts a shadow on the eyes
                 Yet broadens the mind...
    A grief that keeps the pain and has no words
               But increases the understanding...
    There is a grief that breaks the heart and wounds the soul,
             That lasts and lasts and can shatter in a minute
                    But will inspire for a lifetime.

Author Unknown