Your family needs you now more than ever, Christopher. Missing you so much, as always. Forever loved by your Mama. 
I have a spectacular redbud tree I planted 8 years ago in my yard in memory of you. The one I planted in your honor when you were toddler is massive, just shy of setting records in Virginia. Wish you were here to enjoy them. Also wish you were here giving your great massages and partnering with me in the wellness business. Always in my heart and on my mind.

Happy 30th Birthday to my baby boy, Boo. You are a part of me forever and always.

Christmasing with you in my heart as I've done for way too many years. Such a bittersweet time. You gave the best gifts because you cared the most.  I still have my slippers, the heart ring and the lip balm. Comfort gifts, of course, because making others feel better is what you were all about. Love, Mom

Just heard on the radio that massage therapy is a better alternative to opioids for pain management -- duh, we got that a long time ago. That's why you chose to become a phenomenally successful massage therapist for a few short months after graduation just before your death. You nailed it Boo and I'm so sorry the rest of the world didn't get it. Love and hugs forever from my shattered heart.

Miss you every single day. You filled my life with a soulfulness beyond compare. I get a few hugs now, but nothing like your bone-crushing embrace. Life now is pretty empty by comparison. This world could use a little Christopher right about now. Love you forever. Forever in my heart.

You are so, so, so terribly missed.

Hey Boo, I wish you were here to see your buddy Spencer finish hiking the entire Appalachian Trail in memory of you and so many others who have lost their battle with a substance use disorder. Sadly, the opioid epidemic grows virtually unabated. Wish you were here with your intense compassion toward others to help your sister make a difference in this hurting world. Love Always, Mama

My dear Christopher, I think you have come back here as a squirrel, at least for now. We both saved baby squirrels, cj (aka Chris Junior or cracker jack) and my Baby Blue (you were so pleased with my recovery efforts even on a dismal golf course). How fitting that when I had to call in a "wildlife biologist" at my new home in Herndon, Patrick managed to free the squirrels from my cramped attic to the wilds of Runnymede Park with not so much as a scratch to their exquisite bodies. My favorite squirrel managed to set off all of the traps and run free, just like you are now my precious and priceless son. Free.

Happy heavenly 25th birthday Boo. Give Shingo a fist bump for me. I love you both. This holiday has forever become a memorial for you and now Shingo. Your suffering is gone but you both are missed terribly. Our beautiful, caring, soulful young men. Love always, Mom/Auntie Anne

You are ALWAYS in my heart, a Mama's boy for over half of your short life. I'll always remember your beautiful golden, curly hair and your deep tenderness for all things, no matter how small. Three tortuous years have gone by and this life sentence still defines me. But as they say, "Life goes on." And so it does. I love one of your favorite poets, Langston Hughes, "Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." Love you forever.

Christopher, it sometimes seems only a short time that you have been away; then other times, it seems an eternity. It is somehow fitting that my chosen goal for Lent is to recapture the joy in doing all of my mundane chores---you were a Master of Joy!! You still bring it today in all of our precious memories. Here at home in Clements, Maryland, one of my best memories is of you playing with my sheltie Moses. You must have been about 11 or 12. Moses decided he wanted to lick you on your face and ears, and he was usually rebuffed by his victims, but you just laid down on the floor and giggled. Pretty soon we were all laughing hysterically at the ridiculous scene. Love you so much, dear nephew! I live in hope that we will all be together, laughing again, one day soon.

I still have trouble believing that you're gone. You are so missed. I can see it lighting up your face. The fact that so many people are being helped by your friends and family. I know we weren't very close the last couple years and that's a shame. I'm sorry and I love you. Save us all a great seat up there for whatever shinanigans you're up to.

Missing you more than ever. BEST man EVER!

Christopher,
The Rosebud tree I had planted in my front yard reminds me each day of your love for Nana and me. We love you and miss you but know your are in a wonderful place. The tree is so beautiful at this time of the year. It also reminds me of Jesus love for us and what he did on Calvary that made it possible to live with him throughout eternity. Heaven is more real to me today than it has ever been. Will seen you soon. Love Pappy.

"When you have swam in the sea, a lake will no longer do; everyone else was always a pond but the ocean was always you."

hey man its almost been 2 years now since you've passed i just wanted to say that i miss you man! i just lost another friend 2 days ago and its crazy because everyone keeps dying man everyone i grew up with it makes me wonder when its my turn... but i try to keep a positive attitude everyday man. im glad you and i talked after we had that one problem im sorry i was a shitty friend at that point in my life. but dude you were my first friend when i came to reston my best friend actually we used to hang out every day man and we got into a lot of trouble haha but you were always there for me man youre my brother and i hope youre still looking after me wherever you are. i love you man rest easy -- Ryan 1/8/15

Dude.


Sup?


Miss u man ......


I picked up an 18 month chip tonight in front of like 200 people

Shit was rockin

Who woulda thought.....

All the drugs we used to do...haaaaa...

But man it's really good here it's like heaven on earth

Yo Chris will you say hi to my brother for me? Alex Dean Srebnick.

Sigh I don't know how long I have on this earth, Christopher. But let me tell you this man. I vow to live everyday in rememberence of fallen addicts and their families everywhere. To recovery as BEST I can and to help others in their own walks.

The better I get the more I am able to enter others lives. I know if you were here and sober you'd be doing big things....so I'm doin em for you man

I love you bro.

Sigh....


Can't wait to see you man :)

Really looking forward to that introduction to Jesus...in the flesh....with a fuckin fist bump hell yeah

Later gator

So Boo, I spend a lot of days now sharing with your community -- those trying to stay clean and reclaim their lives -- extraordinarily beautiful people. A precious young friend of mine, 23 days clean, asked me if I think of you every day still. I said "constantly". You are with me forever and always. Love, Mom

On the night before the spectacular Ragnar Relay, https://www.stayclassy.org/events/200-miles-to-outrun-addiction-running-freaks-do-ragnar/e35765, all your Mama can think of is your cousin's tribute to you the weekend you died. Nathaniel Thoburn Fitch simply wrote, "Come back." Enough said.

A candle is burning next to your ashes today in memory of Carolyn, my friend's niece in Cleveland, who at 22 just lost this horrific battle. September is Recovery month and my schedule is full. The only thing missing is you by my side. Christopher, you would have been an incredible leader in this fight against the stigma. You are the anti-stigma! Every second in my heart, love you. Mama

Going to BK tomorrow with your big sissy, 'inny'. We're gonna get the junior whopper. If you were with us, we'd get you a quadruple stacker custom made, just like the good old days. Love you Boo, Mama

Another desperate workout to your iPod Boo. Thank you for your awesome music. Mama loves you. "Chop Suey!" by System of a Down.

FB post from Evan Davis on 3/25/14:

Chris, it's weird that now when I post this there won't be an awesomely quirky response from you. I didn't even know you had passed until today and I've been living in D.C. for over two years now. It's been an age since I last saw you in the desert of Utah, but I recall all we struggled and triumphed through. I remember your smile and laugh that brightened many people's day. I wish I could hang out with you again. I'm gonna miss you buddy. There's a deep rift in the world where you once were. Love you brother.

10,000 VISITS to this site (half of them by your mama), a tribute to my son who was so-o-o very deeply loved and cherished. Boo, you are everywhere I go, meandering through the trails of Reston, working out to your music cranked up at full volume and aiding your Pappy and gauging his health by how ornery he is. LUVBOO. Mom xoxo

Rest in peace Chris~~~I am so thankful that you came into our lives and for being there for Luke while you both went through the personal growth and education at DRA [St. George, UT]. The stories and the laughter will forever be etched in our memories.
We will never forget you.
God bless you, your family and my Luke.
We loved you Sugar Boy.  Julie Ford 2/24/13

Hey Boo, I get through my endless days by working out to your iPod music. Your music moves me, motivates me and makes me incredibly angry/sad all at the same time. Listening to your N Sync's 'I Want You Back'. "I know I'm crazy without you." I'm so sorry you had so much pain, I get it, I really do. Love from the very deepest part of what is left of this mama's heart.

A heart wrenching tribute to you, my precious son, from your Auntie Beth on Facebook: "They stopped whatever they had planned for that bitterly cold Saturday, and they came to mourn and to celebrate a young life that had profoundly changed theirs." See full tribute from my sister Beth under the Stories tab. xoxo

A life so young released to heaven, left on Earth we wonder why but some are sent among us briefly 'Some have Spirits meant to fly.'
Chris, I'm thinking of you today with a smile and a prayer.

Always with me, in my heart, love you forever my precious son Christopher. I spent an hour yesterday evening with your fellow addicts, feeling your pain and theirs, seeing the tremendously difficult work that you and they have to do moment by moment, day by day. As a mother all I can say is - Please forgive yourselves and let go of the past. You are here in the present and that is a GIFT to the world. Love, Mama A

From Lauren C.: "I met Chris in AA. It was always an interesting time when we hung out…he was always so perceptive. He really cared about each and every person and he was taken from us way too soon. I know he struggled, just as many of us do - with depression, addiction, and so on - but now he doesn't have to anymore. I will always treasure my time spent with Chris, and I know it's the same for anyone who's ever gotten to know him. He will be missed."

I saw this quote and it made me think of you.

“That's how you know you love someone, I guess, when you can't experience anything without wishing the other person were there to see it, too.”

From Heidi at AA: Chris, I'm almost positive there was never time spent with you that didn't result in you making an extremely inappropriate comment or joke. I would gasp and say "You're so horrible," invariably followed by mutual laughter. You have a beautiful soul, and you're leaving behind a beautiful memory. You will be missed. You've inspired me to try and touch the people in this world with kindness and compassion the same way you did. Love, Heidi

I went to the local artists' showcase at Jammin' Java to feel closer to you and as one of the artists in recovery said, "The evening was magical." I complemented a rapper and received several hugs from him -- he thinks I'm a music exec or something! I admired another's paintings and she cried when she realized that I was the mother of her friend, Chris. More hugs, tears, love, acceptance...your magic lives.

Boo, you would have loved the craziness of today's Marine Corps Marathon. I saw and felt you everywhere, from the homeless man playing his saxophone at the Rosslyn Metro to the indomitable spirit of the runners! Team Chris combined ran over 100 miles for you today! We love you forever and ever. Mama A

T-minus 1 week until Team Chris runs the marathon in your honor, I can imagine your face now as you think "4 girls ran 26.2 miles for me, I must be pretty damn sexy." I am so unbelievably amazed by how much your family and friends have done to make sure no one ever has to lose a "Chris" again. I love you oh so very much and miss you terribly, can you hurry up and haunt me already?

Boo, just wanted to let you know that your phenomenal first girlfriend, Ashley Taylor, has joined Team Chris to support chrisatwoodfoundation.org through the Marine Corps Marathon 2013. I, too, lost my first boyfriend (loved him since I was 4), Grant Haddix, when we were 30 yrs old. Ashley, your support speaks volumes to how much Christopher will ALWAYS be loved! See Ashley's story.

I loved you so much back at Langston Hughes, ...

Kevin Matthew
2/24 Facebook post
(see STORIES for Kevin's full tribute)

Because of you, my beloved son, THIS girl's on fire. On my mind 24/7.

My dear Boo, I wish you could see how hard your family and friends are working to make this world a better place for those struggling with addiction. You are our inspiration and you are here with us in spirit. Your sister and her friends are incredible: http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=255169

My first memory of Chris was when we met at glory days grill. We were all eating our wings. He had sauce all over his hand, and used my hair as a "towellete" as he said. I didn't even care about my saucy hair, it was so funny as the time! He brightened my mood any day, and took me on my very first date, which he had me laughing the whole time. What a funny, kind, sassy, goofy spirit

I'm so sorry I didn't hear about this earlier, and I leave my love with the Atwood family.

Chris, I am sitting here trying to make my fundraising page for CAF and MCM, and of course I end up just crying and coming to this page to visit you. I end up crying and laughing and crying and laughing because I'm so sad but you left so much light for us to enjoy. Losing you was such an incredible loss. But knowing you was such an incredible blessing.

From Reza Hashemi, shared the week after Christopher's death: 

"Chris, You were ...the guy who saved my life."

See Reza's full tribute under the Stories tab.

I remember after preschool you would come to my house and we would watch Disney movies. You recently told me that Pocahontas was your favorite to watch with me. I know we weren't super close as we got older, but we grew up together in God's faith, and I know that I will see you again. I hope you are having a great time up there..

I miss you a lot and will always wish things could be different and that you would be here.

Leon, Thank you for sharing. It is indeed a tribute to my son that he was so memorable, and always trying to live life to the fullest, whether making his own unique recipe in the kitchen, rescuing a baby squirrel or spreading love and laughter wherever he went.

Man, odd that I found myself here surfing the web. Can't say we were close during the last few years or even during high school, but I remember the times in elementary school. I can't say that most people are that memorable. I remember playing king of the hill in the snow with you, Adrian, and my brother. I wish you and your family peace.

From Amanda Thoburn (cousin): "Christopher, Boo - I know you are up there looking down on us having a party in heaven. Being the youngest in my family I feel like I adopted you as my younger brother. Maybe I did that so I could boss you around but mostly it was because I loved you. You will forever live on in all of our hearts. You will greatly be missed."

Today is your 22nd Birthday, Baby Boo! You are everywhere and in my heart forever...Turned on the radio this morning and heard the same song back to back. "Like A Drum, My heart never stops beating for you...I'll love you long after you are gone." I still love your virtual bear hugs. xoxo Mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!! We all miss you so much, it seems odd not to be out celebrating. But I bet you're livin' it up in ways we can't possibly fathom-- love youuuu (and don't forget it).