Two years ago today Jeff died. It is hard to say these words even though it has been 2 years. Although you never "get over" the loss of your child. We have adjsted to life without him. I miss and think of him every day. Some days more so than others, it depends on how busy I am. I try not to dwell on it too much but the fact that he is gone is always there just under the surface. It still takes very little to choke me up when I think of him. I thank the Lord every day for him being born and the joy he brought to my life in the short time he lived.
I thank the Lord for Butch and Nicki as they have drawn closer and supported Carolyn and Myself through the highs and lows as we adjusted. I would like to thank all Jeff's friends for sending picures and remembering him at his birthday and other times significant to them.
I would like to thank my many friends who have listened when I needed to talk about him. Their listening has allowed me to talk out my frustration. When the ache was so bad it was almost overwhelming.
The hole in my heart will never heal, but I know he would not have wanted me to be sad. So I go on and try to enjoy life the way he would have wanted me to.
If any of you have anything to add please do so as I would love to hear from you.

Jeff's Father
Carl Ryder

Today would have been Jeff's 37th birthday. He is still Loved and Missed dearly by all of his Family and Friends. Carolyn and I are staying busy today so we won't have time to dwell on his not being here to much. I don't know how many times in the last 1 1/2 years I have thought about calling and asking him how to do something or how something worked. He always had an answer that I could count on. The hole that he left in our lives will never be filled. But we remember the Good things and Good times that we shared and plan on being together again someday.

Carl Ryder