Saturday Morning Message: Memories of Favorite Moments

Answers from Survivors

Responses from Survivors to last week's question: Will you share a special memory of your loved one?

From Bonnie Jo, mother of Andrew: We never knew what Andrew would do on any given day. He was so inventive and full of life. One night when he was young, after we all had gone to bed, Bob, my husband, heard some noise in the house. Andy’s room was next to ours. Bob got up to investigate and I stayed in bed, scared to death. Next thing I know, I hear Bob laughing and cursing. Thank goodness we did not own a gun.

Bob saw someone in a black ninja outfit climbing into Andy’s room. It was Andy. He said, “Dad, it is just me. I went out to get some flowers for Mom tomorrow for Mother’s Day!” Of course, he picked them from the neighbors! What a character he was! The thought was there, but really, did he have to go out late at night and get flowers for me? Never a dull moment with my son Andy.

From Robert, father of Louis: Louis was a lieutenant in charge of a three tank platoon. One member of his unit was from Peru and had a significant accent. He was constantly kidded about it and it affected his morale. Lou got his members together and told them to cut it out. When we were at an activity honoring Louis, this soldier took us aside and told us how much he appreciated this. Louis was always doing things like this as a teenager. He didn't like seeing a person being ridiculed or bullied and would support that person.

From Caryn, mother of Nathan: When Nathan was 6 or 7 years old, we took a trip to San Diego for a summer vacation. One of our stops was SeaWorld. What a great time! We walked around to all the attractions. In one attraction, there was a part where they dove down and picked up an oyster, then opened it to see if there was a pearl. A child was always chosen from the audience to receive the oyster. Nate's older sister, Tiffany, was chosen but when the time came she couldn't go up in front of all those people. So Nate walked up there and waited for them to open the oyster. Inside was the pearl. Nathan answered their questions about his sister and him as he talked in front of hundreds. He also shocked the entire audience by giving the pearl to his sister. Even though he was three years younger, he always stood up to protect his sister. One more thing: Tiffany was born in June and her birthstone is pearl.

From Leslie, mother of Eugene: I came home from a long day and went to see what each of my sons were up to. Andrew was busy with homework. Eugene's room was a mess and he was waiting for me to annoy him with regards to his high school homework. I saw small bags on the floor, and they were moving. I asked him about it, and he told me that I was just tired and seeing things. I again asked him, and he gave me the same answer. So I went to step on one of the bags. He got protective of the bag and begged me not to move. In each bag was a baby snake: a python, a boa and a king. I wasn't happy, but what could I do? I sent him out to get tanks and a book about snakes from the library and told him to make sure they lived. He was shocked and quickly went on the errands. The snakes did live many, many years. And I still don't know why I didn't get a “mother of the year” trophy!

If you would like to send a message thanking one or all of those who participated in this week’s Saturday Morning Message, send it to me at online@taps.org and I will make sure your thoughts are passed along to them.

Question for Next Week’s Saturday Morning Message

You have had a chance to read other survivor’s memories this week, so we would like to read about your loved one, too! This week’s question is: Will you share a special memory of your loved one? It can be funny, sad, cute or one that is really important to only you. 

Would you like to share a question or read how other survivors respond to a topic or question you have? I would love to gather some thoughts for future Saturday Morning Messages. It can be helpful to read and hear how others cope. I encourage you to reply to the Saturday Morning Message by emailing online@taps.org. I directly receive all responses that are sent to this address. In order to have your reply included in next week’s message, it is best to send your answers to me by Tuesday morning of the following week. Thank you to everyone responding this week and those who read this message.

♫ Song for the Week

From Michele, mother of Stephen: Anytime someone will listen, you bet I will talk about my son. He was such an old soul at heart. I always say he was born in the wrong era. This is one great memory I have of my son: It was summertime. I was outside working in the yard. Here came my son driving up the driveway, windows down, music loud, singing “Ain't That a Kick in the Head” by Dean Martin. I have to say when he first died that song would make me cry, but now … Thank goodness for memories. 

You can send me favorite songs for this song of the week section at online@taps.org.