The Dark Knight Rises

Hey Dave,

The newest Batman movie just came out.  Some of the family had not even seen the first one..me included so we got together at Aunt Karens house and we had movie night.  She fixed dinner and the rest of us brought snacks and drinks and we watched "Batman Begins".  I believe that is the movie that you loved the best.  The next night we all got together again and went out to the movies to see "The Dark Knight Rises", the 3rd movie in the series.  Yes, we skipped the 2nd one but we got the idea what was going on from the first one.  We brought the leftover snacks from the night before too!!  Everyone had a good time.  Here is a picture of all of us.  I forgot to bring my camera (not really, my purse was to full of candy for anything else to fit) so I had to use my phone. It isn't a very good picture, but you get the idea.

Here is Unce Ted and his popcorn (Adrien sneaking some)

  The movie was good but I wish that you were here to enjoy it with us.  We are together because of you and I  hope that we will stay this way because of you. 

 Love and miss you more than there are words. 

Mom

Friends at Angel Stadium

When we went to Angel stadium to see your brick and the game, Shawn and Ashley were there. We had our picture taken with them.  It was so nice to see them again.

Angel Stadium

Here is the brick at Angel Stadium that Autumn bought Dad and I the first year you left us.

You changed me

Davey

You changed me.

You changed who I am,

You changed who I will be

I am forever changed because of you.

You’ve taught me that love has no boundaries

You've taught me that there is more to life than what I know

You’ve taught me to really truly count my blessings.

You’ve taught me the strength of a bond between a mother and a child.

Life is unpredictable

Life is about the love you share, and the people you share it with

Life isn’t easy and there is pain beyond measure

But my life must continue, even though your life is gone.

 I must continue, so that I can change the lives of others

the way you have forever changed me.

I love you,

Mom

30 Years

Hi Davey,
Today Dad and I celebrated our 30th anniversary.  Hard to believe it has been that long.  When we had our 25th, Dad bought me a 4 day cruise.  It was awesome and I told him that the next time we went on a cruise that I wanted ALL of us to go.  I knew how much you, Brittany and Autumn would have enjoyed it.  Then little Raegan came along and I included her as well in my plans.  I even was looking for a Disney cruise for us to go on.  I wanted to go for our 30th anniversary but as time went on, it didn't look like that was going to happen so I was planning it for our 35th.  My plans will never come true with ALL of us.  I can't even think about going on another cruise because I so wanted to share that experience with you.  All the food, the dancing, shows and even gambling.  You would have had a wonderful time.  Maybe in time I can convince myself that we should go, but for now I will just dream of how it would have been.

Dad and I wanted to do something special for today so we found this really nice Mexican restaurant in Newport Beach, Ca. called Javier's.  Allot of people talked about  how awesome that it was so we made a date and even got reservations.  Dad ordered us strawberry margarita's-a pitcher.  The waiter warned us that it served about 7 but dad said that was fine.  We would be able to finish it.  It was good, a little weak but it was good.  The food was awesome and where we sat we could see the ocean.  When we got the bill, boy were we surprised.  That pitcher was $70.00!!!  That's right, we ordered a $70.00 pitcher of margarita's.  All we could do was laugh!  Here is a pitcher.  Doesn't look like $70.00 worth huh??

Here is a picture I took of us.  I am still learning how to work my Iphone so it isn't really good.  We are looking pretty old huh?  We were home by 8:15!!  Such party people.

Anyway, I miss you more and more everyday and wish you were here to celebrate with us.  Every holiday or special occasion is not the same without you here.  Everyday is hard but these times are the hardest.  You are suppose to be here as we grow old and pass these milestones.  We watched you pass yours as you grew up and now that we grow old, we planned on sharing these happy times with you.  Now all we can do is dream of what it would be like if you were here. There are no words to tell you the pain that we have in our hearts.  I know that you would not want us sad everyday, but for now that is the way it is.  It will never get easier but maybe it will get different.

We love you Davey,

Mom and Dad

David Andrew Rodriguez

He turned 1 today!!

Dear Davey,

Your beautiful little namesake turned 1 today.  Hard to believe that he is already one. His mom has promised me that she will tell him all about you when he gets older and let him know what a wonderful, caring person that you were.  He will know that you were someone very special because not everyone is named after someone else.  I hope that he will always cherish his name and make us proud of who he is.  Please watch over him and keep him safe. Be that angel that is always on his shoulder and protect him from any harm. 

I love you, Mom                              

The day begins.....

Dear Davey,

The day begins again without you.
Each day comes and goes and I am look for you, search for you.
But you are no where in site.
I know you are in my heart and around me but yet I can't see you, can't touch you, can't hear your voice.
This must be a dream , maybe the day has not begun and I am still asleep and having this horrible night mare.
But then once again night falls , and another day comes without you here to share my day with, to hear how your day was.
How can this be, how can it be that I am left to live a life without you in it?
You had a heart of gold, a very caring person not to mention a very smart young man.
I go through the motions of each day not knowing what to do from one minute to another.
The time passes, the day ends , night falls, another night of hoping you come to me in my dream, are maybe to awaken and this is just a night mare.
But yet another day will begin without you .
My only solace is one day we will meet again when God calls me home .
Until then the days will come and go and I will continue to search for you even if it's just a sign from above that you still here with me , you will always be in my heart and a part of my heart has died when you went home to be God.

Even Bruce looks for you. 

 Today is my birthday.  My only wish would be to hold you one more time and tell you how much I miss you and love you.  I know that you are safe in the arms of Jesus and that gives me comfort.  Run free my angel and know that you are missed beyond words.

Love Mom

Easter 2012

Happy Easter Davey, 
We decorated again this year.  I know you probably see us and think how silly we are but it helps.  I feel like I am at least doing something for you.  I feel bad because the last few years I didn't fill eggs for you.  You never said anything but I am sure you missed finding all those eggs!!!  I can see you finding eggs even if you were 20 something!!!  This year they even had eggs that looked like base balls.

Some of your friends came after we took the decorations down and they did some decorating themselves.  I think you probably liked theirs better!!

Please watch over us all daily.  We like signs remember!!

Love as always...Mom

She turned 2 without you

She turned 2 without you but she sure knows who you are.  You would be so proud of the little girl she has become.  She is beautiful, smart, funny and has your temper at times!!!  Ask anyone who knew you as a little boy and they will tell you that she looks just like you did when you were her age. She even has your cowlick...thanks Dave.   Show her a picture of you and ask her who it is and she will say "Uncle Davey".

I wish you were here to see her grow up, but I know that you are watching over her everyday.  Not everyone can say that have a guardian angel watching over them like she can. When she is older, she will know more about you than she probably ever thought was possible!!!  And maybe even somethings that she might not want to know...your booty shake!!!

 Keep her safe Davey and watch over her when we can't.

Love Mom

Raegan's birthday candle

Yes, we got your candle for Raegan's birthday!!  Thank you

Here is the story: Raegan's 2nd birthday was February 11th.  We were looking forward to having the party, but not looking forward to missing Davey there.  Autumn and Raegan had been over to my house the night before and I had a candle lit.  It had 3 wicks.  When they left I blew out the candle and went to bed.  I was up at least 3 times in the middle of the night and walked past the candle and it was not lit. David came home late in the night and heated up food in the microwave where the candle was and it was not lit.  When I got up the next morning....Raegan's birthday..one wick was lit (see above).  That wick had not been lit all night or the candle would have been burned farther down.  Davey's sign for Raegan wishing her a

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM UNCLE DAVEY"

Would you rather?

 “Would you rather” is a game that you play to see how daring people can be.  Would you rather eat this or that?  Would you rather wear this or that? Would you rather go here or there?

Well, our everyday life isn’t a game.  If we asked the question, would you rather have Davey with us on Earth or in Heaven?  We may all jump at the chance to have him here with us, again.  Why wouldn’t we want him here? For one more laugh, one more hug, one more smile. 

However, I think about how thankful I am to have him in Heaven.  I am thankful that he is safe.  I am thankful he is there with God.  I am thankful he is there watching over and protecting us.  I am thankful for the signs he gives and the jokes he plays on us.    I am thankful to know I am never alone. 

And as he is looking down at us, I hope he would be proud of where we are in our lives.  Proud for the changes we have made and the people we have become.  It is true that you become a different person when you lose someone so special. 

 And so, in the end, the question of “Would you rather?” should best be left to topics like what to eat or wear.  Because in our everyday life, it is not always that easy to answer.

Valentines Day 2012

HEARTS, HEARTS, EVERYWHERE THERE ARE HEARTS

Dear Davey,

There are hearts everywhere now that I look.  I honestly believe they are from you. Who else could they be from?  They are so obvious, to me at least.  The first one I saw, I just thought "weird" and walked away.  Later it happened again and it made me think, so I took a picture.  Then they kept coming...at times when I needed them and then a lot of other times.  The heart above was taken by Dad's cousins wife.  I was on Facebook Christmas Day, missing you of course. This heart was staring me in the face when I opened my page.  Here are the others.  I know you know what they look like, but others don't so I want to post them so everyone can see.



One morning when I was driving your car

Carpet at home-not even wet

At work on my way to lunch



Bathroom rug




A piece of carpet

 

   


Dog pee???? Really Davey!!!



I LOVE THEM ALL...KEEP THEM COMING.

Now here is one for you.  Happy Valentines Day Davey. I Love You.



Mom

Uncle Steve

Hi Davey,
On January 26, 2012 Uncle Steve left this earth to begin his eternal life in Heaven.  Steve was an awesome Dad, son, brother in law and uncle.  He will really be missed here on earth but I am sure that you have already met up with him and are having a great time.  I can just hear him when he saw you....."hey Davey"..the way he always greeted you.  Do they let him make his salsa in heaven?  We sure miss it here and we miss him too.  Why?  Why Steve?  Why you?  I guess that we won't know until we get to heaven ourselves.The picture above was on your 3rd birthday.  Weird that Steve was the only one that took a picture with you that day.  I guess it was so I could post it here but who would have known way back then.  I miss you more and more everyday and wish you were here.  I know that you are safe in God's hands and are happy there.  We are the ones that are suffering.

Until we meet again, my beautiful son,  I love you
Mom

New Years 2012

Hey Davey,

Happy New Year!!!  I am sure the celebration in Heaven is awesome.  I wanted you to see what party people us Chavez's are!!! 

Fun and simple.  We celebrated together....because of you.  I love you and miss you. Mom

Merry Christmas Davey

Merry Christmas Davey,

This Christmas was harder than last Christmas without you.  Everything is harder these days.  Christmas Eve of course we were with the family at Alicia’s house.  Something was missing…you. Even though we hadn’t been there with the family in a while, it was sad not to have you there.  Here is a picture of all your cousins together plus Autumn and Raegan.  If you look really close, you will see Batman in the picture-left side of the picture on the tree. Was that you?  I want to think that you made that happen.

Christmas Day the family met at Forest Lawn for Papa.  We all had not been there together since the day of his funeral. It was very beautiful there and the weather was nice too. 

After we left there we came back to our house to open presents.  Raegan doesn’t yet have the hang of it, but she will.  I am sure by her birthday she will realize what presents are all about.  Of course she scored big time everywhere she went.  It wasn’t the same not having the living room FULL of presents.  Shopping was a chore for me. Everywhere I went I would see something that reminded me of you and then I would need to go home.  Shopping just isn’t the same. Thank goodness for the internet!!! 

Cooking already



Eggs and ranch for breakfast!

 

Her first bike



 I am sure that Christmas in Heaven is awesome and nothing compared to here on Earth.  I miss you Davey so much but I know that you are safe in the arms of Jesus and if you can’t be here with me, then there is no place that I would rather have you be.

Love Mom

Christmas decorating 2011

Here we ALL are again this year decorating your tree.  We have a lot more stuff this year too.  As you can see by the pictures, it was a bit colder than last year.  Last year we were in shorts and Raegan was in just a diaper…it was a lot colder this year.  Everyone rally’s’ together to get it all done and it is nice to see the family there.   Of course I believe you made an appearance too. The big tall bird that always seems to show up????  DAVEY????  I like to think sooo.

I hope you can see the lights from Heaven!!

Shiloh

Together at last?  You always reminded us that it was “you” that found her and that she belonged with you.  Now you are together. She fought a short battle and Autumn made sure that she did it with pride and without pain.  She saw that she was suffering and knew when it was time to set her free.  Knowing that you were there to meet her at the Gates made it so much easier.  She released her from her pain but right into your arms.  Love her and make sure that she knows how much we all loved her.  Remember that she likes to be kissed on the side of her nose…she will “purr” for you. Love her for us until we are altogether again.  Mom



Shiloh Marie
2004-2011



HE IS GONE?

HE IS GONE?

You can shed tears that he is gone

Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone

Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Written by David Harkins

Thanksgiving 2011

Today marks 14 months since I last saw your beautiful face.  Hard to believe I have made it.  Today is Thanksgiving and I do have a lot to be thankful for.  I thank God every day that he picked me to be your mom.   Out of the millions and millions of people, he chose me.  I feel very lucky.   I only had you for 24 years, 1 month and 16 days but I cherish each and every one of them.  Of course I wish there had been so many more, but that was not God’s plan.

 Life goes and so do other people, unless they have lost their child.  There are no words to explain the pain and the loss of not seeing you again.  People are sad that you are not here anymore but it will never affect them the way it does Dad and me.  We are thankful that they can’t understand, but then we want them to, so that they could understand that we are NOT “ok”. Every day we get up and put this mask on that makes people think that all is well.  If they could only see what was behind that mask.  We know that we can’t let our grief control us, but it is hard.  The thought of never seeing you again on this earth is just way too much to comprehend.  God has his purpose and I guess we will just have to wait to see what it is.

I do have to remember the others things I am thankful for because they do matter as well.  I am thankful for your dad.  Without him here for me, I don’t know where I would be.  He holds me up when I don’t think I can go any farther. He gives me the strength to go on.  I am also thankful for Autumn and Raegan.  They are the other piece of the puzzle that helps me go on every day. Autumn is always there when I need her and keeps me going.  I wish you were here to see Raegan.  You would be so proud of her.  She is an awesome little girl.  She will always know her Uncle Davey; probably will know more about you than she would have, if you were still here. She knows who you are when she sees your pictures and when Autumn asks her where Uncle Davey is, her response is “home”.  She is so right.

Well, Dave.  Here are your decorations this year.  A bit better than last year, I might say.  We are learning…unfortunately.  Who would have thought..

I love you beyond words and can’t wait until we are all a family again.  Love Mom

5 years ago

It is so hard to believe that this was just 5 years ago.

Having Davey here on my wedding day meant so much especially since he had just moved to Colorado. Looking back at this day, I can't imagine not having him there.


Who would have walked Nana down the isle?

 Who would have made sure that there was always a party on the dance floor: (No, not mom, althought it looks like she did a good job at it)

 

Who would have towered over the rest of the guys but still make sure not to get the garter?

Having Davey there on this day just 5 years ago means more now than it ever could back then.  We miss you, Davey!