Chris was the first baby I was ever around.  He was the first one I ever babysat.  And  the first baby I ever loved.  I remember how scared I was to hold him when he was so tiny.  (He was tiny once)  When Chris got a little older I would ride him on the back of my bicycle all over town. 

When Chris was about 2 or 3 and had been taken off the bottle, I found him behind a see through curtain at Grandpa and Grandma’s house, hiding, drinking a bottle he had taken from Joe or Nick. (He was still a baby too!)  I remember the little boy climbing the door jams at there house on Francis street, or breaking his arm because he was playing Super Man and jumped off the top of his bunk bed.  

When I babysat Chris, Joe and Nick we would make huge tents (That filled the living room) out of blankets and chairs and play all night there.  Every time I would come over to watch them Chris would ask me if we could make tents again.  I’m sure Darcy was never very happy when she came home because the house was destroyed, but we always had fun.  

As Chris became a man, he became the one that my kids loved to play with.  Chris was always fun.  No matter how crabby Joshua was the second Chris walked in the room he was in Chris’ arms or running around the room laughing hysterically playing with Chris.  When no one else could get Joshua to take a nap, he would lay in Chris’ arms and fall asleep.   

I am sure all of you know what a wonderful protector Chris was.  If ANYONE was in trouble or needed help Chris was always there.  One day after we lost Chris, Darcy was upset and telling me she couldn’t find very much of Chris’ “things” and was feeling bad that he didn’t have very much.  Then we realized the reason Chris didn’t have many things is because he gave them all away.  If Chris had something you needed… help, someone to talk to, money, possessions, whatever…. He gave them to you.  Chris always gave totally and completely unselfishly of himself and his belongings to everyone.   

Chris was not perfect, as none of us are, and I watched Chris struggle with many things, his life was not easy.  But Chris never had self pity.  He was gifted in many things a lot of people struggle with.  He was gifted with the greatest gifts God gives…the ability to be a true Friend (under any circumstance), a caring heart, and unconditional selfless Love.  These are the gifts I pray everyday the Lord will give to my children.  Chris had them and used them to touch and leave a mark on everyone he met.  We will always have Chris with each of us because of the mark he made on our lives.   I am thankful for the mark Chris made on my life, the time God gave me with him and the love I have for him.  More than anything though I am thankful that Chris was raised to love Jesus and had made a decision to receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Although I miss him and mourn for OUR loss, I do not mourn for Chris.  He is safe in the arms of our Lord and someday I know I will see him again there.     

Aunt Julie