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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Brian's Memorial Weekend

40 comments:

Unknown said...

I've never met you, I never knew Brian, but I teared up watching this video; seeing his family and friends lovingly placing their message laden planks on the walkway was very emotional and touching. Hugs to you Rosaria. I know he will never be gone from your heart, but I pray the pain you are feeling will lessen over time.

Rosaria Williams said...

Thanks, Eva.

yaya said...

What a wonderful thing for Brian's friends and family to do to remember him. To be loved and remembered by so many is the greatest gift a person can receive. My heart goes out to you for your loss Rosaria.

Rosaria Williams said...

Thanks, YaYa.

Anonymous said...

What a marvelous tribute to Brian who was loved by so many.

Patricia said...

Wonderful capturing of a remarkable endeavor! When something this tragic happens, one feels so powerless. There is nothing you can do...to change what has happened...but you CAN build a garden. Beautiful..and may the memories sooth your soul.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. it was beautiful to see...and yeah i had a tear or two as well...much love to you and your family...

Sally Wessely said...

Rosaria,
This tribute speaks volumes about your son. He was an amazing young man. He had amazing friends. I am so touched by their generosity and creativity in honoring him in this way.

I hope you are able to stay in touch with these great people. I know my daughter's friends continue to be great sources of strength to me and to her siblings.

I am brokenhearted for your loss.

Marguerite said...

This was such a beautiful, touching memorial for Brian. He was a very special young man and it's wonderful that he is remembered in such a loving way by so many who knew and loved him. I am thankful that you have so much support. My heart and prayers are with you, dear Rosaria.

dianefaith said...

It's obvious from this video and these pictures that Brian had a sweet life. This memorial was such a good idea because it gave his friends and family something positive to do in the midst of pain. I loved hearing the occasional laughter.
My son lost his best friend back in 1994. Chris is still very much with us, and often when we talk about him, there's laughter, just as with Brian's friends. That's such a fine legacy.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

I watched this beautiful memorial video through tears and with so many thoughts: what a wonderful person Brian must have been to have so many loving and generous friends who worked so hard to create a living memorial to him and, at the same time, what a devastating loss this has been for you and your family. I hope that the presence of so much love and celebration of Brian was a great comfort for you. In some ways, now is an especially hard time -- going back home, resuming life, but with such a heart-breaking, life-changing loss. Life goes on but is forever changed. My thoughts and prayers and with you, Rosaria.

Rubye Jack said...

This was such a touching ceremony. Brian had so many friends who must care a great deal about who he was and it looks like he meant a great deal to many.
I really don't know what words to say, but just need to be here to let you know I care about you Rosaria.

Hilary said...

What a tender, touching and beautiful way to remember Brian. The planks and all those loving messages was just so touching. My heart aches for you and yours. Hugs to you, Rosaria.

quilterliz said...

G'day Rosaria. Thank you for sharing that lovely video.Take care. Liz...

Simon said...

There is much love shown here for Brian, to you and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Diane said...

I cannot watch videos with my slow connection but my thoughts are with you. Diane

rjerdee said...

Oh, what kind and loving friends Brian has...to come together like this to do something constructive in the face of something so not...the music on the video was key to the mood of the Brian's memorial...it expresses a happy young man in his busy endeavors...the sound of Charles Schultz' Charlie Brown stories.
Heartbreaking. Tender. Fresh and new.

LindyLouMac said...

Rosaria, Thankyou so much for sharing this video which bought a lump to my throat, thinking of you and your family.

Suz said...

Rosaria, so glad that I am part of that wonderful garden too
It is a beautiful space
for the work ahead
Love, so much love...
showing a wonderful life lived

Thank you for sharing this with us

hugs

Grandmother Mary said...

I love that final image of Brian running after the birds. He caught them and flies with them now. He obviously touched many lives deeply. I pray that I too may leave such a legacy. Sometimes our children are our teachers. Peace, Dear One.

Wander to the Wayside said...

Wow, that was beautiful, Rosaria. And to have that many people - friends and family - turn up to work on this memorial garden, is truly touching. It speaks volumes about Brian and the people whose lives he touched.

Rob-bear said...

Such a wonderful video, Rosaria. Wonderful that so many would come and remember Brian in their particular ways, a wonderful garden they made the next day, a wonderful collection of images recalling the event.
Blessings and Bear hugs.

Maggie May said...

So touching and a wonderful way to remember such a loved one.
You are being so brave, Rosaria.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

NitWit1 said...

I have marveled at this unique and beautiful memorial to a much loved individual. In and of itself it is a remarkable endeavor that has centralized the grieving and healing of the loss of a loved one. I know it has helped you too

Phoenix said...

Again - I am so deeply sorry for the loss of your son, Rosaria. What a beautiful way to celebrate someone's life.

I hope things get easier with time.

fiftyodd said...

The blog world is a marvellous place for sharing and caring. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.

Unspoken said...

I knew this would make me cry... But I wanted to see your boy. The pictures at the end of moments, just simple moments of life, fleeting by... The friends and family gathering to comfort, remember, and leave meaningful memories... I love the boardwalk. Powerful element in the garden.

I can't imagine how you find your breath right now. I know there are days you grasp for it. I am thinking of you and wishing you love not only felt, but continually expressed to carry you. xxamy

janis said...

oh Rosaria~ This is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You have been in my prayers. Although I didnt know Brian, I can feel the impact he made on this earth. What a wonderful man, what a wonderful life.
Blessings to you♥ xoxo

cheshire wife said...

Wonderful to see the way in which Brian's friends rallied round to create the garden. I am sure that you will come to treaure those memories.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

What a lovely way to remember Brian. The music is so beautiful, too. My thoughts are with you, Rosaria.

amalia said...

mi auguro che tutto l'affetto che vi circonda vi aiuti a sopportare il vostro dolore.
un abbraccio forte forte

Unknown said...

A wonderful memorial. And I know from our bitter experience losing our son in 2008 when his wonderful friends, our former neighbors & longtime friends in CA all helped remove a bit of the sting by showing up at the service. This is good to know they were so loved. None of us ever want to face this and all we can do is hang in there. Blessings to you.

Joani said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely tribute to your son. May God bless you.

Cloudia said...

our hearts are with you-



Aloha from Waikiki;


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Lisa said...

That video is lovely and sad, but it is a step to healing. I wanted to see Brian's face, thank you for sharing with us.

RNSANE said...

Oh, Rosaria, how this beautiful video made me cry. As a mother, I cannot even imagine what pain one experiences at the loss of a child. Brian must have been the most wonderful son and young man to have the kind of friends who are shown in this amazing memorial video. The outpouring of love is so palpable. It must be of some comfort to you as you begin to heal from this terrible loss. Of course, the pain may diminish but that love will always burn brightly in your heart.

Deborah said...

Molto bello - thanks for sharing Rosaria.

Miracles come in all sizes and shapes. The video helps me remember to stay in touch with the kids - no matter what.

I am sorry for your loss.

Joani said...

Rosaria.....you are in my thoughts & prayers as you move forward from this tragedy. Hugs.

Elisabeth said...

It makes sense now, Rosaria, but it's a chilling sense, of a life cut short too soon. It is sad beyond words, all that loss and it will reverberate forever. I marvel at your capacity to write about it here.

I'm filled with admiration for your courage at going on, I guess there's not much else you can do, and how else to keep your son's memory alive but to go on living and remembering. And what a son. You must be very proud. He lived his life to the full.

Lydia said...

I learned so much about Brian, those who loved him and those he loved, from this beautiful memorial video. The original music dedicated to him was a beautiful background for the coming-to-life of his garden after his passing. I am so very touched by it all.