Will Dickens' 19th birthday

Will, it is your 19th birthday today. I wish you were here with us. We love and miss you so much. Such a beautiful person with so much to give. Yesterday was a beautiful day with the scholarship given in your memory to fellow youth group member, Sarah Bradbury. I felt your presence all around on a lovely Spring day in May. Love, Mom Thank you St. Bede's Parish for sharing this special day with us. The Dickens' Family

Will's Story: his life, death and beyond-a trilogy of love

I am writing a book Will's Story: his life, death and beyond-a trilogy of love. I resonated with Lee Hirsh when I saw him interviewed especially with the family that lost a child. The bullying madness has to stop for all.
http://lifelonglearning-l-cubed.blogspot.com/ is dedicated Will, who died on Oct 19, 2009, 16 years old. His memory will live on forever. He had such a wonderful impact on so many lives. I hope others grieving loss will be able to gain hope, healing and ideas to honor lost loved ones.

Fall 2011-October

October 19 will be the 2nd anniversary of Will's tragic death. Fall used to be my favorite time of year. October was especially my favorite month. I still want fall to be my favorite, it is very difficult, now. Perhaps, eventually...
We just got back from attending a wedding in England. It was a fairy tale wedding at a very old church at Elvaston Castle County Park in Derby. Proud parents (Richard's cousin, Andrew, and his wife, Helen), proud bride and groom, Fran and Rich. We were honored to share in their wedding day.
Then off to Sheffield to visit more relatives, ah the love of family, thank you! Hiked the Yorkshire Moors-Herriott country then off to London to see plays. War Horse was our favorite.
We hear of many changes happening at St. Bede's. We look forward to stopping by when in town to visit, attend church, just "be" in Will's garden among nature with his spirit ever so present there.
On my commute to San Francisco, I take the ferry from Vallejo, I journal. Have been writing in the same journal since Will died. Reading it, brings back so many memories, so much of the journey. Here is an excerpt:
May 21, 2010-Will's 17th birthday
"Visited Bede's after dropping Aly off at school, the Trinity kids were going to chapel. Will, your spirit was with them. Giselle was awarded your Adopt-a-College scholarship in the amount of $2000. She will go to USF next year and wants to become a Spanish teacher. The program is wonderful, we will donate in your name every year and follow the kids through college. I love you so much and miss you, Will. Mom