We are approaching the dreaded day. When I think of June 17th I close my eyes and see a calendar of the month of June and this big red X on 6/17. I feel my thoughts wandering to the negative a little more this year, the day of the accident and the days to follow. The stuff that makes my voice shake and tears well up in my eyes. Its so strange to think I have lived without Tyson for 2 years. If I stop and think about it, it really blows my mind... serisouly? 2 years? At the same time it still feels like we just moved into the house and were living a seemingly boring newlywed life. Since June 17th, 2010 I have had so many experiences, so many decisions, so many changes... all without him. I was on Facebook the other day and it said I added 133 new friends in 2011. I think of all the new people I have met since Tyson died and how many will never get to know the man I love, and I'm sad for them because of what they are missing out on. The one of a kind person who has affected the lives of so many people. Last year I wrote about who Tyson was, the people I meet from here on out will have to settle for a blog post to get a glimpse of the kind of man he is.
http://labelleviephotos.blogspot.com/2011/06/who-was-tyson.html
This time I I thought I would share the Eulogy that Tim shared at the funeral about living life with no regrets. I remember the feeling it left everyone with after hearing it. A renewed feeling of living life in a way you would be proud of and not ever regretting a moment if you were taken tomorrow. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our entire family.
NO REGRETS
Tyson is, was and forever will be my “Bud”. Veta and I would love to have him here and celebrating life with us. We thank you for being here. God had another special plan for Tyson. God knew before Tyson’s birth that all of the people Tyson touched would be impacted by his true gentleman character: humble, tender, strong, determined, heroic, compassionate, gracious, intelligent, noble, grateful, courageous and he had a loving heart. Ty was rewarded with the eternal, multi-jeweled Crown of Life after only 28 years living. Tyson, you see, as always, was on an accelerated track to heaven because he had accomplished everything God had asked of him and now God has rewarded him with 24/7 total joy and happiness. Tyson lived a life without regrets and gave honor and love to God our Father.
I have no regrets, just wonderful memories of my time and experiences with Tybo. Yesterday was Father’s Day. I was with all my children celebrating Tybo’s love, but also our families’ love of each other, which will continue on now and forever. On front of your programs is a thought given to us by family friends, The Broken Chain, which we firmly believe.
Tyson and I had a conversation three weeks ago. That conversation was that a man must have peace with God first and then he can obtain the peace of God. Ty and I had both. Do you?
Living a life without regrets regarding your children means more sacrifices than ever. Don’t catch yourself making an excuse, which is like a baked potato, the skin of a rationalization stuffed with a lie; but rather, go to your kid’s games, birthday celebrations, school events, when they are recognized for an award or whatever is happening in your child’s life. It is so much more important and relevant than work, house chores or whatever else you have placed ahead of your child’s life’s events in your priorities. These tasks will remain, and you can complete them at any time, but the opportunity of experiencing with your son or daughter their event is forever gone. Putting off going – thinking that you can make a ‘better” experience at a later event may never come to pass. God never promised us tomorrow, but that only we should live for today. Don’t put off phone calls, visits or whatever it is with your children, loved ones, Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters with the belief “I can do it next week” because that opportunity may be lost forever.
Tyson and I spent hours, hours and hours playing Nintendo, going to sporting events on my bucket list, traveling the world, driving for hours and hours with Tyson to games together which allowed for great opportunities to share and listening to the Eagles “Heartbreak Tonight” and converting it to “Headache Tonight”, serving on Elder Boards together, teaching Sunday School together, coaching him and so, so many other great memories. Let us not let Tyson’s death go for naught. Use it as a “Catalyst” and change your life.
GET PEACE WITH GOD FIRST AND THE PEACE OF GOD WILL FOLLOW. You will have warm and fuzzy memories with your children, your family, your wife, your husband or anyone else you spend time with.
I have always had a saying to my family:
LIFE IS ABOUT MAKING MEMORIES, AND YOUR GOAL IS TO CREATE MORE GOOD MEMORIES THAN BAD.
Tybo, I know we did and I love you so much.
Dad
Ps Mom says “DITTO” my “itty bitty”.
