This picture was taken the morning of Chucks birthday in 2006.

I was having my usual day of just trying to cope, still not able to grasp the fact he was gone, when I looked outside and was met with this beautiful site. I truly feel Chuck sent me this sunrise so I would know there were still beautiful things in this world and every day was a blessing. So I keep this picture as my screen saver on my computer, and when my days get hard and im having trouble, I look at this picture and remember him.

Please remember to slow down when entering a construction area.  With the constant activity of everyday life, we tend to forget the little things, like slowing down. But please remember that the men (and women) working these zones are doing so to keep you safe on the road. Also please remember that the people working out there are...husbands, brothers, sons, uncles, best friends, and fathers. They are loved and depended on by someone. Someone who expects them home at the end of the day.

On August 30, 2006, while working on a highway project south of Pueblo, Chuck was killed when a semi entered the construction zone at a high rate of speed. The driver was unable to slow for a vehicle that had slowed down when it had entered the cone zone, and the semi lost control and hit the rotomill equipment Chuck was operating.

FACT:   A workzone fatality occurs nationwide every 7 hours, and an injury every 15 minutes. 4 out of 5 fatallties are the motorists.

One day while visiting Chucks mom and dad, Phyllis asked us if we were ever gonna get married. We had been dating for a couple years and knew we would eventually get married, but we were somewhat of procrastinators. Well, ma was tired of waiting. So she got out a calendar and sat us down to pick a date. My only rule was we had to get married BEFORE hunting seasons started. (He wasnt going to be gone on our anniversary!) A date was set...September 30, 2000.  The day was beautiful! All our family and friends were there. The beginning of my perfect life!