Happy Birthday to Connor who is Forever 25

Connor was born the day before Thanksgiving and I couldn’t wait to leave the hospital the next day so we could celebrate with friends and family how grateful we were to have our second son!  From then on, Thanksgiving was always combined with celebrations of Connor’s birthday.  What a great time of year to celebrate your birthday because there’s usually more people around to enjoy the festivities.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from near and far are already coming together so why not add another reason to celebrate! Our family loves to eat so having more occasions to make special food and family favorites is never a bad thing.  As all 3 of the kids got older, they joined in to make their favorites.  One of Connor’s favorites was an overnight French Toast that we would have on the morning of his birthday.  It was ewwy, gooey, delicious and still is as we enjoy it now to remember him.  He also loved ice cream as shown in this picture.  He would bring pints of Ben & Jerry’s home for us to eat together and watch movies.  

 

I am flooded with memories and emotions both happy and sad. 

I think it’s very important to remember and honor our loved ones we have lost to suicide and a birthday is a perfect time to do that.   It doesn’t mean that I don’t get sad leading up to Connor’s birthday because I do.  I miss him so much and as we get closer to his birthday and Thanksgiving each year, I am flooded with memories and emotions both happy and sad. 

He wrote about beauty and his insights on life. 

Connor wrote about his feelings.  He had many journals filled with words that expressed how he felt about love and relationships, God and nature. He wrote about beauty and his insights on life.  Connor also liked to go on walks with his dog Jake.  

Now as we celebrate Connor’s birthday each year, we are encouraging others to go on a walk too.  We are encouraging families and friends to go on a walk and talk about the stuff that really matters.  I can’t tell you how much I wish I could go on a walk with Connor today and have a good long talk.  Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy a walk & talk with someone you love anytime of the year.  

 

Picture of Lisa Johnson

Lisa Johnson

Founder & Manager Director

For more valuable information, visit our Hope Allies.