Happy 50th birthday!!

I can't believe that you would be 50 today! Still feel sadder than ever losing you. Wish we had more time, you left too soon. You were a beautiful baby boy and sweet little boy! You grew to be so strong and smart and I am so blessed to have had you, my son! You were kind, good-hearted, so compassionate and others remarked about you going out of the way to help others. You deserved much more out life than you got, and I wish things hadn't been so rough. I miss you now more than ever and hope somehow you know how very loved you are! Happy Heavenly Birthday, Gary! 

Happy Birthday in Heaven Big Bro! 

You’d be 49 tomorrow (wow!), but now I’m older than you were when you left…crazy how life goes.  We miss you and love you and hope “life” is good in Heaven

Your birthday is near and I am missing you so much. My eyes ache with held-back tears, sometimes I let them come and feel the sadness when no one is around. But mostly when I think of you I think of beautiful memories of you at all different ages! I'm so glad I had you to love, my boy. I wish you were here to see your precious grandson and keep us all together. I keep imagining you seeing your grandmother who adored you, your granddad, your aunts, Phiney and May, your great grandmother Amazing Grace. I'm missing my dear friends, who I've also lost in these last couple of years, who I could always talk to about you, and Grandma, which was such a comfort. I wonder if you see them? You're always in my heart, I love you so much. Happy 49th Birthday Dear Son!

Happy 48th Birthday, Gary! You must be delighted now that Grandma and Granddad are both there in Heaven with you. We miss you all, but glad you have each other. We’ll do our best down here to make you proud :)

Four years ago yesterday, you took your last breath and left us.  I miss you terribly, and I feel like I just lost you. It doesn't get better with time, I still have an aching heart. I am broken, a piece of me died too.  But, I am filled with peace, that I know God has given me, because I asked Him to- it's supernatural, amazing how he takes the pain away, but you know that. 
Lots of people posted beautiful comments and memories about you! You were on all our minds, especially yesterday, on your anniversary of the day you went to Heaven. I'm so very thankful to know you are with Jesus! I want to shout, "Praise God!, Thank you, Jesus" 
You have the most adorable grandson, I so wish you could be here with him. Amber and Gary seem to be doing well. Somehow, I feel you probably know this.
We're all going on, carrying onwith our struggles, but with our daily joys and blessings too, and maybe you're watching it all. 
The simplest things- a flower, a bird, the ocean, a friend's smile, all kinds of music- are so intensely important to me. I appreciate life so much, feel things stronger now. Losing you has made me more sensitve and my faith has grown, so God has given me this deep gratitude, awareness and appreciation of my life, every part of it!
I feel my life has more purpose and God has work for me to do.
Your grandmother, (my mother) has given me quite a few scares, and recently I thought she may be joining you. But she's hanging tough. She loves you, and Grandma Emilie still adores you too, and she's getting closer to meeting up with you too, but she may be living to be a hundred!
I love you, always will, and I try to honor you, by living for both of us. I'll love your children and grandson, and do all I can for them, as best I can. I would do anything for you, on your behalf, if I am able and allowed to. I will always be there if they want me in their lives, as long as I live, until I see you again.  You will always be remembered with love by your family.
I love you dearly, my son, more than ever,  Mother

I know you're perfectly healed, and enjoying life everlasting, while we're down here wondering what it's like!  I can only imagine..... and oh, that is a song too! I went to see a fine movie about the songwriter, and singer Bart Millard, of Mercy Me- it was very moving, some parts of his life were similar to yours, you would have enjoyed it. 
I know you'd be playing it on your guitar. So many songs remind me of you, and so does everything I see, everyday. Recently I've been revisiting lots of your baby and childhood pictures, and on facebook we talk about you on your birthday, Father's Day, and your anniversary of the day you went to Heaven, Christmas, and all the time. I wondered about you when Billy Graham died, if you would meet him.  I write about you on my blog. 
 I'm doing great, but I still feel immensely sad when I miss you,
That'll probably always be, I'll never get over losing you.
Maybe you already know that.
But I quickly remind myself, I still have you, a part of you is with me always, by my side. Being good friends with God helps too!  I have a peace that only God can give.  It's unbelievable how he takes each hurt away, calms all my storms. My tears don't flow too much, before I'm thinking of His grace that saved you and me, and feeling his loving care and knowing his plans for our lives forever.
Your family has grown! You'd be so proud of your adorable 7- month- old grandbaby boy! His mommy and daddy take such good care of him, and he's adorable, Of course , his Uncle Gary always looks out for him and his mommy. You have new cousins too. 
I have much to be thankful for at this Thanksgiving time!
I will love you always, and one day I'll be with you again. Love, Mother

Happy Birthday in Heaven, to my dear son! I've been thinking of you so much lately, particularly with the baby's arrival! I know you would be so proud of your precious new little baby grandson, Johnny Nelson. He reminds me of you- He was close to your size at birth! He's so loved already! Congratulations, Grandpa!

Last night was one year since we had a special celebration of Gary's life, at Julie's house. Anniversaries are such triggers of flooding sentimental feelings. Painful memories, deep sadness and bittersweet thoughts, but always afterwards, the blessed assurance of life everlasting and the peace that only God can give me. I think I just started grieving, even though it's been a whole year. Losing Gary is always going to be painful, but because of all the love in my life from my daughters, my son-in-law, my grandchildren, my mother, my sisters and my friends I am so happy, grateful,strong enough to go on, loving life and thriving until I see my child again one day. I know Gary would want me to feel this way and live life to the fullest.
   August 22,2015, was unforgettable and so beautiful. Many family members and friends shared such a precious time as we gathered together to talk about him, enjoy and comfort each other. My girls and son-in-law Andy made a fabulous party, delicious food and photo memory posters.. We had an amazing guitar player, my friend Steve Yost. He played Amazing Grace and many other beautiful, meaningful songs into the night. Robbie, my nephew, held me as we swayed and sang along . My friend Maureen stuck right by my side. provided food, seating and many other helpful things. I felt such love and support.  I don't know if I ever properly thanked all of you who were there. I am so grateful to those of you , who came to show your love and to honor Gary. And for those of you, who could not come, I know you were with me in thought, and I appreciate all your prayers. Oh how I wish we could do it again every year, For me the grieving will never go away, it's only just beginning. and I am learning to live with it. Love overcomes sorrow, and grace wins everytime. I am never alone, I am close friends with The Great Comforter, who always gives me strength and all I need. 
  Please don't be afraid to mention his name, I love to hear it, I love to hear your memories. We must speak of Gary,  He knows we loved him.  He is happy and totally healed now, no more suffering or pain. 
  I love you, dear ones, and I am going to live the rest of my life with as much love and joy as I can, and I know that's what Gary would want for all of us!
Love, Linda

My dear son, A year has passed and it feels like I lost you only yesterday. I miss you so badly, it still hurts to realize you are gone. I am going on, each day, grateful for the time I had with you, but wishing for more. My memories of you are precious, and I try not to be sad, but I miss you so much. I keep telling myself, you are happy and God has made everything perfect for you now. I'll love you forever, and I will see you again some day. Love always, Mother

Happy Birthday, my dear son!
  I can't believe you're really gone, for over 8 months now, on to your home in glory, with Jesus. Seems unreal. I have been missing you so very much, and thinking of you and remembering all we shared throughout the years. I am glad and relieved you are at peace now, trouble free, and totally happy. Aunt Beverly reminds me to think of you being simply joyful, perfectly healthy, unimaginably fulfilled.
 I miss you so much, and always will, even though I feel I have a part of you beside me. The love we shared lives on and makes me smile each day. I try to live my life fully, and with grace, so I will honor you, make you proud. I want to be there for your kids, because I know they miss you terribly, but they are extremely independent, very active young people with separate lives and I don't see them much, but I know I will as time goes by. I understand that they are young and must do their thing. I get it, because I am getting older and wiser, learning life's difficult lessons, whether I want to or not.  I am learning to accept things that I never thought I could. 
  You are so loved and we wish you were still here with us,alive here on earth, but I know that is selfish and you are far better off and I can only imagine what it is like where you are. I will be content to live with the part of you that lives in me, until one day when my life is done, (and I still want to live to be 100)! I just hope you somehow know, how deeply I love you.
  I am so happy that I had you for 42 years. I treasure the memories that I go over again and again, for when you were my little baby right up until your more recent phone calls-- our talks, your thoughtful gifts to me, your baby clothes, school days memorabilia, your artwork. I wish I could buy you a 69 Camaro, to replace the one that I made you junk. I wish I could have protected you from the painful experiences and disappointments you encountered. I wish I could have fixed everything for you. But I can't. Only God had made all things perfect, only He can and He did!
I felt sentimental pangs when I found your boy scout uniform the other day, and your Gi, from Karate. I want to restore your guitar that you gave me and learn to play.  But I think maybe you know all this, somehow. I am so glad you were born and I was your mother! I will always love you! Happy Birthday!  Mother

Four months since you left, I miss you really bad. I don't want your life or death to be in vain, so I am speaking about heroin addiction and how it took your life. If only you knew how much you were loved and always will be. I wish it hadn't happened, I never wanted you to leave. I imagine you being happy now, feasting this Thanksgiving with my Grandmom Grace, and your Grandad and Uncle Walter. I wonder what it is like where you are?. I only have your pictures and memories. And the part of you that lives in me. I was so sad on Thanksgiving, selfishly wishing you were still here. I will never stop missing you, until the day I die, but that is when I will be with you again. I'll never stop loving you, my baby boy, turned big strong man, father to my precious grandchildren. We think of you always, remember you lovingly, think of you as my angel up above! If you can see me, I hope I make you proud! I am trying to carry on and be the best person I can be, honor you, help those who are missing you, show them the way to eternal life . Wish I could sing you some new songs I've heard. Love forever, Mother

Here are words I shared last week in honor of my brother at the church service:

"This has been a very difficult time, to say the least. Though a part of me is content, knowing Gary is finally at peace, it will take time for the rest of us to find peace.

Gary struggled for many years, and I believe God has set him free. Some of us prepared for this many times before, but it doesn't make Gary's passing any less painful. This would never have happened at the right time for us, but it was the right time for Gary.

Through this pain, I remember Gary for who he was, and it still hurts. But we need to remember the good times, like Sunday dinners at Grandma's house or Gary strumming on the guitar in his living room.

My parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles were delighted when Gary entered the world. He was the first born of my parents and the oldest many grandchildren!

My sister and I were so proud when Gary starred in Grease, as he played virtually all the male singing roles. We also cheered him on at football games and wrestling matches, and when he graduated from high school.

When Gary entered the Navy, he was following a proud family tradition, in serving our country. We enjoyed visiting him at a few of his bases.

When Gary fell on tough times, it was my grandparents who helped him the most. They sheltered him, fed him, clothed him, and gave him whatever they could. Most importantly, they never gave up on him.

The love of Gary's life was his wife, Cindy, no doubt - because he told us every chance he got how beautiful she is. No matter what, they stuck together, and I know that made him happy.

Nothing gave Gary more pride or more joy than his children, Gary Wayne Young, III and his "baby girl," Amber. I know his son (my nephew) Gary will have many more achievements, but my brother was so happy to see "little Gary" graduate from high school. I'm grateful for that last time we all were together. And there was no one, no one, more precious to Gary than his daughter, Amber, and I hope she always remembers that.

When you remember Gary, know that whatever troubles he faced, he had a good heart and he appreciated having us all in his life. No matter how big or small your gift to him (be it a present, or just being present, and talking with him), he was truly grateful. And he would tell you that. By that same token, he gave what he could. Whether doing yard work or heavy lifting for my grandparents, or sharing his home with those less fortunate, he wanted to do good.

So, if you truly want to honor Gary, there is no need for grand gestures. Just do good for each other, help each other, and support each other."

A beautiful tribute from Gary's daughter (his "baby girl"), Amber. She made this statement at his church service on Friday:

"My dad was the kind of person that cherished every moment he spent with his kids. Good or bad. Happy or sad. He always found a way to make my brother and me laugh.

I remember so many times that I needed my dad in the middle of the night and he woke up and talked to me for hours. He always made me feel special.

Just recently I had grown a lot closer with my father and he seemed so joyful and nothing seemed wrong.

The last time I spoke to him he told me how great of a driver I was - not that I am - I'm horrible. But he knew I'd be more confident, and that it meant so much to me...

He said he loved me and said that I was his 'baby girl.' 

The best memory of my dad was recently at Burger King with Ms. Sarah and the girls. He was so happy and his smile was bigger than I've ever seen it before . That will forever be the image that will lie in my heart with me forever.

I love you. Rest easy, Daddy."

We spent some summers together when I was very young. Your life I will keep close to my heart. Prayers for our family far away. We love you all so very much. You will always be in our prayers for comfort and peace.

Love,
Pam James Haley and Kameron

My heart is full of just loads of memories and endless love for my son who left me way to soon. I am so thankful for the blessed assurance that he is totally at peace now, so there is no more suffering and pain, but joy and peace!
  And I have the wonderful hope that when my life is done, I'll be with him once again. Until then, a part of him will always be with me forever!
I am so glad Gary knew that I am never alone, because my Lord is always with me and takes care of me. 

I'll love you forever, Mother