In memory of my son Justin

© Kay E. Mahoney

In memory of my son Justin

Uploaded: April 29, 2005

Description

Pictures and a poem put together for my son. He got killed in a car wreck 5 yrs today April 29th at the age of 19. A day that I will never forget. Just some of the many many pictures I have of him. All but two of the pictures were taken with this camera.

Comments

Linda Proctor April 29, 2005

Oh Kay I am so sorry for your loss What a wonderful tribute for Justin You are in my thoughts and prayers. #242869

Mellanie April 29, 2005

Kay, I am so sorry for your loss...I know how hard it is to lose someone you love unexpectedly....Both my father and grandfather were killed in car accidents (6 years apart). We will always have our memories of them though, won't we? You are in my thoughts and prayers....Oh, a very lovely tribute to your son! #1304957

Patricia Robinson Trapp April 29, 2005

Kay,I was deeply moved by the poem and your pictures of Justin. Please know that I am thinking of you, sending a hug. Justin will always be remembered here at the butterfly sanctuary.
Respectfully,
Pat #1305100

Colette M. Metcalf April 29, 2005

Wonderful tribute to your son, Kay. #1305150

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic April 29, 2005

Thank you Linda, Mellanie, Patricia and Colette for all your comments.
I also lost my father on this day but a year earlier. My husband of 27 yrs passed away May 6 of 99. It was a very bad year for me. I will always cherish all the times we had together. Not a day goes by that I don't hurt for them. Thank you Patricia for remembering my son at the butterfly satctuary. I love butterflies. I just redid one of my rooms in butterflies. I'll have to check out your gallery.God Bless all.
Kay Mahoney #1305185

Donna J. Taff April 29, 2005

First I want to say you collage and poem is beautiful. I am so sorry for your loss'es, I just this week went to a funeral of a Friend's Son. She lost a Daughter a few year's ago. I can't say I know how you feel but I can say a prayer for you. #1305196

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic April 29, 2005

Thank you Donna. Tell your friend my prayers are with her. It's one of the hardest thing a parent has to deal with. Here's a poem I came across that I have on my fidge that you might want to share with your friend or other people. I had this happen to me all in one year.
When you lose a parent,you lose your past.
When you lose a spouse, you lose your present.
When you lose a child, you lose your future.
A child that loses a parent is an orphan.
A man who loses his wife is a widower.
A woman who loses her husband is a widow.
There is no name for a parent that loses a child, for there is no word to describe this pain.
Kay Mahoney #1305221

Michelle R. Kovach April 30, 2005

Beautiful Collage Kay! Wonderful sentiments! So sorry for your loss. I had my best friend killed by a drunk driver at the age of 13. She had just left my house & was on her way home. The last words I said to her were "I love you & I'll see ya later!" I am so thankful that the last thing I ever got to tell her was I loved her. So many who lose someone are not so lucky.
You are in my thoughts & prayers.
God Bless!
Michelle #1305648

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic April 30, 2005

Thank you so much for your comments Michelle. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Some days are harder than others. That's so nice that you got to tell your friend what you did. I didn't get a chance to tell any of mine. I know God has control of everything and that there is a time and purpose for everything. It's God's timing and not ours but we what things our way and that's not how it is to be.
I know one day I'll see my loved ones again.
God Bless you also.
Kay Mahoney #1305817

Patricia Robinson Trapp April 30, 2005

"There is no name for a parent that loses a child, for there is no word to describe this pain."
There are no words, there may never be words that would come close to describing such a loss.
Someone gave me this poem today. She has carried it in her wallet for 15 years and passed it on to me. I thought about you and Justin throughout the day and after reading your message about how you love butterflies, I will pass it on to you, Kay.
"Butterflies"
When I was very young,
No more than seven springs,
I used to carry butterflies
And hold their trembling wings within my tiny hand.
And then I'd let them fly again.
I did not understand the why of it, but sensed in growing,
I had no right to halt their going.
Now, being older, closer to winter than spring,
I found a butterfly in you,
And for a moment, just as then,
I did not want to let you go.
You charmed me so.
But I am wise as any child
And know I have no right
to stop or slow your flight.
The strings I use to bind all things are even looser now,
so when I say, You're free,
I know you will go.
But even so, I will have other springs
and always the sweet remembrance
of having touched your velvet wings.
by
Julie McHale
Sending you lots of love, Kay.
Pat
#1306919

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic April 30, 2005

Thank you so much Pat. I'll have to print this out. It means so much to me that you've been thinking of me. I love this better photo site. We get to meet so many nice people on here.
Please keep in touch. You have a beautiful gallery.
God Bless #1306926

Julie Turner April 30, 2005

Kay, this is just beautiful...I thought about you all day yesterday at work and then I didn't get home until really late so that's why I sent you that email on Thursday night. Tonight I watched "Raise Your Voice" with my niece and watching that movie even made me think of you more. My heart goes out to you and I wish I were in Florida with you to give you some support because I know April and May is harder for you to get through. Please know you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Julie #1307541

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic April 30, 2005

Thanks Julie. It was a tough day. I know I just have to go on. I have all the pictures and memories of Justin. I can get the pictures out to look at them anytime. I'm so glad I took lots of him when he was growing up and of my two girls. You can never have enough pictures of your kids or family members. Every day with your kids should be precious ones. They grow up so fast.
Kay Mahoney #1307568

Linda D. Lester level-classic May 03, 2005

Kay, first let me thank you for responding to my Teddie photo today!
I have never been to your gallery and your work is awesome...
I'm so sorry for all the loved ones you have lost. I lost my brother in a car accident and its not a cake walk for sure.
You look like you have picked up a great hobby by the looks of your photos! These BP people are wonderful, I am on my 7th week in this site and have felt like I have been here for ever. #1316379

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic May 03, 2005

Thanks Linda for the nice comment.I'm sorry to hear about your brother. It is something that no one can get over. Just have to go on and do the best that you can. I thank God for giving him to me for 19 yrs. I have so many pictures and memories of him. It still doesn't take away the pain. I have always taken loads of pictures. I'm so glad I found better photo. I've meet a lot of wonderful people on here.I've bookmarked your site in my favorites. Thanks for responding back to me on the software that you used. I'll have to check it out.
Good luck with your photos.
Kay Mahoney #1316877

Rhonda Smith June 09, 2005

Kay your tribute to your son is beautiful. I watched my sister in law lose her 19 yr old son in a boating accident and although I can't say I know what that feels like, I know her heart broke into a million pieces and still does every day .. and it's been 8 years. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and hugs ... #1452143

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic June 09, 2005

Thank you Rhonda. It's every parent's nightmare when a police officer walks up to you door. You just know something has happened. It is one of the worse things anyone has to go through. I just thank God that I did have him for 19 years. I would have wanted me to be the one to go first but it wasn't to be. It's hard to understand why these things happen. Not a day goes by that I don't feel a void with Justin being gone.I just thank God for my two beautiful daughters that I still have. Tell your sister in law she is in my prayers. Does she have a web gallery? #1452166

Tammy McAllister July 15, 2005

What a lovely tribute Kay, I am so sorry for all your losses. You are in my thoughts.
Tammy #1595007

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic July 15, 2005

Thank you very much for your comment Tammy. I just have to take it one day at a time. The pain will always be there. It's something a parent shouldn't have to go through. We should go before or children but it doesn't work that way. #1595321

Simon Effendi January 29, 2006

Oh Kay... You don't know how deeply moved I am by this paticular photo/poem of yours. I have an autistic son whom my wife and I had when we were at the beginning of our middle age, and his name is Justin too. He is our future, and he just turned five last week. I understand how important your son was and still is to you. I am so sorry about your loss... May God bestow more of His grace and mercy in your life. You're in my prayers... #2351573

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic January 29, 2006

Thank you very much Simon for such a wonderful comment. Not a days goes by that I don't feel pain of losing my sone. Our kids are so precious to us and we'd do anything for them. I thank God for the 19 wonderful years I had with him. I am so blessed to have two beautiful daughters. May God bless you, your family and your little guy Justin. My prayers are with you. I've been hearing more and more about autisim lately. I hope they can find a cure for it. #2353192

Ginger S. Patterson August 27, 2006

I was looking thru your gallery beacause you are always so kind to comment on my work....your awesome by the way.....and I saw this tribute. I lost my brother to suicide several years ago at the age of 32...may God continue to bless you Kay! Your doing something fabulous with your memories!
This is just precious & Justin would LUV you showing him off...I am sure of it!! #3229427

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic August 29, 2006

Thank you very much for the wonderful comment Ginger. #3241290

Marta J. Baldwin May 21, 2007

I know I'm way late on this one but I was looking at your gallery and spotted this beautiful composite. I can tell that he was very much loved.
Take care...Marta #4309724

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic May 21, 2007

Thank you Marta. Yes, he was very loved. We sure do miss him and all of is little sayings. Just never know when someone will be gone from us one day. We must treasure each day with our loved ones. Hope you are doing well. #4310564

Angela Azzinnaro February 16, 2008

Such a touching dedication Kay, my heart goes out to you and your family! Take Care & GOD Bless!!! #5503468

Kay E. Mahoney level-classic February 16, 2008

Thank you Angela for your comment. #5504613

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