May 7, 1990 - March 24, 1998
Frank's Article, written in May 1999
This year's Pittsburgh Marathon, on May 7th, gave a great reminder to me about how precious life can really be. It would have been my nephew, Christopher's 10th birthday.
He had restrictive cardiomyopathy from birth & had his heart transplant on Oct 8, 1997 (he was the boy with the piggyback transplant & had 2 hearts). After being admitted to Children's Hospital on Jan 19, 1998, we were told that he had PTLD as a result of the donor heart being positive for the Epstein-Barr Virus, which he previously had tested negative for. He fought a long, hard, horrible battle, but in the end his poor little body
just wore out.
His whole life was one big battle. His only dream was to race his little sister, Rachel. To run real fast only once. He was able to do that, beating her in a race up the driveway.
When his two hearts beat out their last distinctive rhythm for the last time, our whole family felt a great loss. But, we also knew that he was in a better place, no longer suffering. His last stay in the hospital showed me that life means more than just getting up and going to work. He has inspired a great many people, by showing and sharing a strength that that one can only hope to someday reach.
We all have our hero's, people that we admire, people that we want to emulate. This little boy, who fought so hard his whole life, is who I want to be like when I grow up.
To recognize his 10th birthday, we all went to watch my sister & brother-in-law run in the Pittsburgh Marathon as a relay team called "Christopher's Courage". Next year, my brother & I plan on doing the same.
So, when my day is going bad & I'm about to give up, I think of this little boy, knowing it could be so much worse. Inspiration comes from so many different places. I guess mine has little angel wings and is playing with Legos.
Thank you so much for sharing this, you don't know what this means to me!
I know this is a hard week for you. Please know that you, your husband, and children are in my thoughts and prayers as you recall your wonderful memories of Christopher.
As much as we dearly wish them back in our arms, it isn't possible. One day God will explain to us why they had to leave at such an early age... when memories were not yet complete...when dreams were not yet realized... for them and for us... and why we must walk this painful journey.
Only with FAITH and TRUST in HIM... can we heal.
Know that my heart aches for you.... my prayers are with you... and I am hugging you close.
With love,
Cuppy
May God bless you with His strength and comfort during this difficult time.
An 18th birthday is so special, and I know this is a very hard time for you.
May you feel Christopher's loving spirit with you always...
Love and hugs,
Saralyn
Robbie Smith Memorial
7 May 1990 - 24 Mar 1998
" The Lego Kid"
It's your birthday
I am without you
How I want to wish you a happy birthday
But I feel so lonely and blue
I should feel happy
At the celebration of your birth
Christopher were a gift from God
My most precious gift of all the earth
Yes I will wish you a happy birthday
Wish I could celebrate it with you
I know God's angels will celebrate with you
Happy birthday Christopher, Happy Birthday
By Doyle Alldredge, 23 April 2007
Happy Birthday our precious son
How we wish that you were here
I know you’re with us in a special way
On this your special day
Our time together passed so fast
We thought your life would forever last
So young for a child to die
We still ask the question of why
Sometimes I hear a song during the day
And thoughts of you come my way
We will forever cherish the memories of you
Treasured moments through and through
If I could visit heaven, I'd come see you
To make this birthday special for you
Christopher we wish you a happy birthday
Sending our love up heaven’s way
By Doyle Alldredge, © 2006 (Revised 2007)
My Son Chris, shall we go outside to play?
We will build a tree house on this day.
Each time we visit it I will see in your face
This is quite a heavenly place.
My Son Chris, shall we go to the park and play
We will swing and slide on this day.
Each time we visit it I will see in your face
This is such a heavenly place.
My Son Chris, shall we buy Lego's today?
We'll race cars and even build a castle on this day.
Each time we play I can see in your face
This is such a heavenly place.
My son Chris, where have you gone now to play?
We'll find something fun to do on this day.
I am searching far and wide to see your face
Wherever you are, it's a heavenly place.
You can guide me home on that day,
No more pain in my heart when I see your face,
For we will all be in that Heavenly Place.
Written for Chris by Paul D. McCutcheon
Dad's Angels
and letting all of us other moms know him through you. Many thoughts and prayers." Hugs Sheri
And often a silent tear
But always a precious memory
Of the days when you were here
If tears could build a staircase
And heartaches make a lane
We'd walk the path to Heaven
And bring you home again
We hold you close, within our hearts
And there you will remain
To walk with us throughout our lives
Until we meet again
Our family chain is broken now
And nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again
~ Author Unknown
She also sent me this page: "One Day More"
This poem makes me think of you and our boys
i know that they are celebrating and are with us
on these days that hurt so much with out them.
"If We Could Have One Day More"
Christopher I Know You Feel Our Pain, and I Know You are with us,
But So Many Days and Years have Passed us by Without your love, without your smile,
And The Treasure Of Memories That We Have, in our hearts and minds Are All That We Have.
Sending You So Much Love For Your Birthday!
I Know This Poem Has been Seen Many Times But It Fits So well
Right now i had to add it to my prayer
That you know you are so loved and missed so greatly each day for a very different reason,
We Find Our Days Of What if, And Maybe we could have
Just one more moment, one more hour one more day!
Just Know That Love is sent your way!
Some things I'd like to say
but first of all to let you know
I know that you are missing me on my birthday
I'm writing this from Heaven
where I dwell with God above
where there's no more tears or sadness
There is just eternal love
I am here with all My Angel friends
celebrating and knowing you will feel our love.
Please do not be unhappy
just because I'm out of sight
remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night
That day I had to leave you
when my life on Earth was through
God picked me up and hugged me
and He said "I welcome you
It's good to have you back again
you were missed while you were gone
as for your dearest family
they'll be here later on
I need you here so badly as part of My big plan
there's so much that we have to do to help our mortal man."
Then God gave me a list of things
He wished for me to do
and foremost on that list of mine
is to watch and care for you
And I will be beside you everyday and week and year
and when you're sad I'm standing there
to wipe away your tears
And when you lie in bed at night
the days chores put to flight
God and I are closest to you
in the middle of the night
When you think of my life on Earth
and all those loving years
because you're only human
they are bound to bring you tears
But do not be afraid to cry
it does relieve the pain
remember there would be no flowers
unless there was some rain
I wish that I could tell you
of all that God has planned
but if I were to tell you you wouldn't understand
But one thing is for certain
though my life on Earth is o're
I am closer to you now than I ever was before
And to my very many friends
trust God knows what is best
I'm still not far away from you
I'm just beyond the crest
There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb
but together we can do it
taking one day at a time
It was always my philosophy
and I'd like it for you too
that as you give unto the world
So the World will give to you
If you can help somebody who is in sorrow or in pain
then you can say to God at night
my day was not in vain
And now I am contented
that my life it was worthwhile
knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile
So if you meet somebody who is down and feeling low
just lend a hand to pick him up
as on your way you go
When you are walking down the street
and you've got me on your mind
I'm walking in your footsteps
only half a step behind
And when you feel the gentle breeze or the wind upon your face
that's me giving you a great big hug
or just a soft embrace
And when its time for you to go
from that body to be free
remember you're not going
you are coming here to me
And I will always love you
from that land way up above
I will be in touch again soon
P.S. God sends his love!
(for Maria -as though spoken from her)
on Chris's 16th birthday, last year
Lord have you caught every tear that I cry?
Lord have you seen the empty place inside?
Though the world around me would like it to hide.
Lord do You have him safe in your loving arms?
Let me know he is protected from all earthly harms.
And Lord while you're listening to this mother's plea,
I pray your blessing of peace upon my family.
For the hole that is left in what is our home
Leaves me often feeling so sad and alone.
Remind me dear Lord of the blessings living there
Ron, Rachel and Mark - your answers to prayer.
And Heavenly Father let the healing begin
So that all will feel peace as they enter in.
Never forgetting our hero, our blessing, our Chris
16 years he would be, hard to ever imagine this.
,br> That I am still standing here, wondering why
Wondering why my sweet baby boy had to die.
Though I know I won't get that answer in this earthly place.
I know you will reveal your glory when I see your Holy Face.
When the years will melt away and time will matter not.
For this life on earth is not all that we have got.
We have a place in heaven, right next to your throne.
And there waits our Christopher, when at last we come home.
Knowing this time on earth is just a grain of sand on a beach.
In comparison to the glory that awaits us, as heaven we reach.
I pray to you dear Lord make my life filled with peace.
Until one day at last, the sadness all will cease.
And may the memory of my baby boy
my pride, my life, bring me moments of sweet joy.
I ask you Lord at last, now make my life serene.
As I remember my darling Christopher - in heaven now 16.
Written 3/24/2006 by Tammy Tobac
Tanner Jason Tobac's mommy
Tanner Jason Tobac
A willow that weeps through the years,
Named aptly for heartache and sorrow,
Each leaf represents one more tear.
With grace those leaves blow on soft winds,
To remind of our child gone away;
Yet it reaches its branches toward Heaven,
With the promise we'll see them someday.
It stands in the midst of the storm tossed winds,
A tree with quiet beauty and grace,
Like our hearts it survives through the worst of it all,
And will 'til we see our child's face.
In the garden of trees stands a willow tree,
A willow that weeps through the years;
Just like our child, it's in God's hands,
And like us, sheds countless tears.
but it made me think of a 7 yr old little boy with that sweet missing tooth kind of smile.
Christopher Faller!!!
~*~ 18 ~*~
He is growing into a fine young man and the Lord is pleased with him and the kind heart he has is surely being used in heaven to touch others there..
My Marjorie has taken good care to see that he has learned many good things to share with you one day.. He has grown to be a very handsome man
after God's own heart.. He is full of joy and is walking in the gardens of heaven tending them beautifully.. His smile is more full of compassion
and delight in His heavenly home..
The river of Life is filled with flowing, gentle waters that comfort the soul. He sits with Jesus by the river and basks in the glimmer
of the sparkle of the light on the water reflecting Jesus' love for him..
He is so happy to be with the Master and with all the others angels waiting for their parents..
We will have a grand party with them soon..
The Lord has given me so much of heaven in my yard with all the trees and plants put out for Marjorie's memory..I hope you enjoy the day with much remembrance..
You gave him life and God is so proud of how much you loved him and cared for him. He would want you to do something fun for him..
He would want you to dance and sing a song out loud to him.. He is dancing now and his laugh fills heaven with joy..
You are so precious and you are so loved..
Norma Jean mom to Marjorie Mae
be more joyful than sad. He is waiting for you
and has you in his heart forever and wants you to know that he is not far away..
BLESSED BIRTHDAY, DEAR CHRISTOPHER.!!
My Marjorie no doubt was celebrating with you
and teasing you to no end about your Lego building in heaven.
I bet he has made some incredible ones for you someday to see with him..
Lord, keep you and your family as you celebrate your brave young man.
A soldier in heaven as well as a gentleman in high standing..
You can be proud of him and who he is...
Love to you and God keep you today and give you strength.
Blessings to you as a really awesome MOM..
Hugs, prayers and many loving thoughts are sent..
Love, Norma Jean ~*~ mom to Marjorie Mae
In Loving Memory of Marjorie Mae Bowen
Mommy I know your hurting, and I know the reasons why.
But I am in a loving place.....so Mommy please don't cry.
God came and took me home way up in the sky.
I really didn't understand so I had to ask him why.
He said you are my angel and it's time for your goodbyes.
Then he gave me little angel wings so I could learn to fly.
Mommy I am always with you. I am always by your side.
So when you feel that little breeze you know I'm flying by.
Mommy I know your hurting and I know the reasons why.
I hope you forgive yourself for things you didn't do.
No one could have stopped it. Not even you.
God knows what really happened and there is always a reason why.
So please don't blame yourself .....it will only make you cry.
Mommy I know your hurting and I know the reasons why.
I'm waiting for that moment we will all be together way up in the sky.
So when you are missing me and really feeling blue.
Look up in the Heavens ......
there you will see me Smiling down on you.
~ Author unknown
I just want you to know that you are in my thought's and prayers today on Christopher's Birthday.
May your day be filled with peace and love and beautiful memories of your precious son Christopher.
Hugs to you.
My dear friend Joyce sent me this poem above in honor of Christopher's birthday.
You can visit her page for her Joey at Joey's Page
I took pen and paper into hand to tell you how I feel,
How much I love and miss you…and how I’ll never heal…
From the awful pain and grief that is always in my heart…
Because you left too early and it tore my life apart.
But how does a mother put words upon a page,
that reflects her true emotions…her anguish and her rage…
The only way that she can live the remainder of her time,
Is to try to capture the memories that float across her mind.
So as I sit and ponder things that happened in our past,
I try to ease my aching heart with good memories that last.
But I find my mind goes wandering along the span of years,
And the grief comes back to haunt me in a waterfall of tears.
Because this is your birthday month, I wanted to say things right.
I wanted to say, “Happy Birthday” even though you’re out of sight.
I hope you know how much I wish that you were here with me,
so we could hold each other close, the way it used to be.
But I know and I trust that you’re in more loving arms than mine,
And that everyday in heaven is like a birthday celebration divine.
So until we meet again where joys will never cease,
I’ll try to remember our good times and that will give me peace.
By Faye McCord, TCF Jackson, MS,
in loving memory of my son, Lane McCord (1/26/65 - 9/13/98)
Faye sent me the poem above as a birthday gift for my Angel Christopher!
This truly touched my heart.
me and my family are all around Christopher's statue,
and Marlene even included my bestest buddy Rosemary and her Angel Louise.
We Celebrate The 18th Year of Your Birth
There's a Party in Heaven
You would have turned 18 but It was not meant to be
You heard an angel's voice and had to make a choice
The lure and brilliance of the light that drew you near
Your heart just knew that this was something not to fear
You worried for your mom and dad, how could you leave them there
But the angel said "fear not" for they would be in God's sweet care
You reached out for the angel's hand and knew the time had come
For now you'd earned your golden crown and the journey here was done
With So Much Love For You Sweet Little Darling
Our Little Beaver
We remember you on your special day
The day you were born to earth
With Jesus and all of the heavenly angels
and we celebrate the life you lived
We thank you Sweet Christopher
For being born to this earth
And bringing your angel smile and teaching us to love
and wait for the day that mommy and daddy come to be with you
Let me in too little Beaver,
make sure Laura is with you when I get there.
I love you because I see your sweet little face
with those rosy cheeks and that big beautiful smile of yours.
One day we shall meet
God hold you and keep you little angel so sweet
Hugs coming from earth all the way to Heaven
Precious Teen Angel
With my love
Lauras mommy
until you meet again,
Love
Ann, Laurasmom
In Loving Memory of Laura Ann Kimble
I liked it all so much that I just revised it somewhat for Christopher's 18th birthday and added her newest gifts as well....
A Tribute Of My Undying Love For My Son, Shaun
If Roses Grow In Heaven
If Roses grow in Heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my Son's arms
and tell him they're from me.
Tell him I love himand miss him,
and when he turns to smile,
place a kiss upon his cheek
and hold him for awhile.
Because remembering him is easy,
I do it every day,
but there's an ache within my heart
that will never go away.
~ Author Unknown.
She also made a very special quilt page for Christopher,
please click on the link below her gift to visit Christopher's Quilt Page ~
Thank you so much for your words from the heart!
" To My Mother"
To my mother the one person I can always count on.
Who gave me all she could in my life to make it wonderful.
Who held me when I was scared, cried with me when I was in pain
Never giving up hope that we would beat the odds. She made my life full.
Always right beside me, her love never ending.
Then I was called to God
She cried in her own pain, yet she never let me go.
I am in her thoughts & prayers everyday of her life.
But through the years I have watched how she has turned
That pain into love for other angel mom's.
She works hard making special gifts for others
So they can remember their angels.
Always working never asking for anything in return.
Today is a day I know that will be hard for her.
It is my birthday, my 13th birthday a day.
I would go from a boy to a teen.
Another milestone we would have shared.
I need her to know I am proud of her for all she does.
I am okay and free from pain and suffering.
I am always with her just at her side.
She can not see me or hear me
But she knows I'm there.
My mom is the best.
I am so blessed to have her.
Remember mom we will be together one day.
It will be a day for rejoicing
As one special angel enters those golden gates.
That angel will be you, my mom.
The mom I love and cherish.
Always and forever
I love you mom
Christopher
©2003 Theresa McLeid,
All Rights Reserved
I have been working on a new website for Jason's Birthday. I have a couple of pages finished
and am ready to share with you along with the gift I made for you on behalf of Jason's birthday.
I do hope you like it...and please sign the guestbook it's NEW too...
Love and Light...Susie
Jason ~ Birthday 32
Your words say so much of what is in my heart!
When I Am Missing Christopher
(I Close My Eyes)
When I am missing Christopher,
All I need is to close my eyes..
It's then his heart connects to mine
Heaven sends me a loving surprise.
I miss holding him near me each day.
Cause that just isn't within my power.
Oh but I know when I close my eyes,
he'll tell me he's near me every hour.
It matters not the time of day or night,
I close my eyes to feel him near.
Our lives weren't to be this way ...
But it is now what I hold so dear.
I tell you this tonight with tearful eyes.
Cause again much to my surprise;
I can feel his presence near me.
And his love filling the Heavenly skies
For my precious son lives in Heaven.
He watches with the Father's Son.
And when I am missing Christopher,
I close my eyes and we're again one.
Author
Kaye Des'Ormeaux,
Copyright 2003
Dedicated to Maria,
In Loving Memory of Christopher
Angel Josh's mom. Thank you, sweetie, you know
I just love this!
who I am sure was waiting to welcome him to his new home...
My friend Pammi made the special birthday images of Christopher and his Pap-pap below ~
To visit Joyce's web site, please click on the banner below ~
Tammy also wrote this poem below for Christopher's 10th birthday. It is so special
that I still want to include it here.
Christopher's 10th Birthday
Happy Birthday Sweet Christopher.
This the day you were born,
will be bittersweet
for us here who mourn.
Hugs from sister Rachel
and baby brother Mark too.
Siblings here wishing
Happy Birthday to you!
Build Lego block castles
and run cords through the clouds,
as you wait for your family.
Your Mom and Dad so proud.
Fear not our LegoBeaver,
We will never forget you.
Your spirit lives on vividly
through the things Mom and Dad do.
Like doors at our preschool,
the beaver lodge at the zoo,
a glorious angel statue,
all tributes to you.
We know that you are safe
in our Father's arms above.
So upward to heaven
we send you our love.
So blow out those 10 candles
on your fluffy cake of white.
We send you hugs and kisses
Till we greet you in His Light.
Written by Tammy Tobac, Angel Tanner's Mom,
With love for Maria, Ron, Rachel and Mark
as you miss your Christopher on his 10th birthday.
Tammy's special angel Tanner
for Christopher's birthday by my friend, Barb.
Thank you for the lovely surprise!
Window in Heaven
God called a special angel to sit upon His knee;
He hugged the boy and gently asked, “My son, what do you see?”
The child turned, his smile grew wide, as spread before his eyes
An endless throng of angels, in unison, yelled “Surprise!”
“Happy Birthday, child”, God whispered, “from me and all of Heaven;
You’ve blessed us with your presence here since you were only seven.”
The boy was overcome with all the love his friends were voicing;
It wasn’t just a party; it was more like a rejoicing.
He held God’s hand and mingled through the ever-growing crowd,
And the Happy Birthday chorus had ne’er been sung so loud.
But later, when the celebrations started to subdue
God took the child aside and said, “I have a gift for you”.
They wandered through a garden to a room that shone like gold;
A window with a chair was all the child could there behold.
God sat upon the chair and placed the boy upon his knee;
He hugged the boy and gently asked, “My son, what do you see?”
Peering through the window, to a distance light with haze,
The smile grew wide; familiar faces fell upon his gaze.
“God, you won’t believe it !”, his eyes were bulged in stare,
“I see my mom and dad and all my family over there!”
A tear embraced God’s cheek and a twinkle crossed his eye;
“What are they doing, my child, and can you tell me why?”
Shaped much like a Lego, the cake looked oh so fine,
“I think they’re having a birthday, and I think it’s mine !!”
For minutes the boy sat staring at the love before his eyes.
His little heart was aching as he hoped they’d realize
That in every moment passed since his journey from that place
He has felt their arms of love through the beauty of God’s grace.
God then did a wondrous thing, He opened the window wide;
The child touched His arm, as He reached it far outside.
As God embraced each shoulder, the child gave a squeeze
And said, “Make it an extra long birthday one, God ….. please ”
As they walked back through the garden t’ward closing of the day
His hand in God’s, his heart at peace, the child began to say,
“When next you see my family”, but he paused to quell a tear,
“Please say how much I love them, and I’m really safe up here”
God knelt and hugged the boy real tight, “You bet I will, my son,
And now I must complete a promise that is yet undone.
I promised your parents this morning, who asked that I be sure
To hug you close and say from them, ‘Happy Birthday, Christopher’”
aka DIG, a friend of Barb's. Completely shocked me,
as I had never before even spoken with this man.
You totally amaze me, Dave! Thank you
so much for this beautiful gift for me and for Christopher.
LIGHT A CANDLE
And I will light a candle for you
to shadow all the darkness and bless the times we knew
Like a beacon in the night the flame will burn bright
and guide us on our way
Oh today I light a candle for you.
Seasons come and go and I'm weary from the change
Keep on moving on -- you know it's not the same
And when I'm walking all alone
Do you hear me call your name?
Do you hear me sing the songs we used to sing?
And I will light a candle for you...
You filled my life with wonder -- touched me with surprise
Always saw that something special deep within your eyes
And through the good times and the bad
We carried on with pride
I hold on to the love and life we knew
And I will light a candle for you...
Oh today I light a candle for you.
Dedicated from me to my little angel Christopher.
I love you, little buddy!
Please leave a birthday message for Christopher in his Dreambook below.Thank you!
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