as I log back into my email. I see notification of you. After thinking about you the other day. I remember that calm night when I was driving you back home.  We both said the night seems so calm no rush, no one outside just perfect drive. I sometimes get those moments and instantly think of you. I miss our conversation our text messages and your sillyness. Till we meet again my friend. Love ans miss you.

December 24, 2012

Dear  Claudette,

Our sincerest sympathies go  out to you and your relatives on the passing of your beloved son Troy. We were truly  shocked and saddened to hear of his sudden passing and cannot express enough how  sorry we are for your loss.

We, the Haynes Family had  known Troy since  his childhood and in some ways, he had become another grandchild to us, for he  had lived with us into his adulthood. His lost, to us, is equivalent to losing a  family member.

Troy grew up to be an exemplary human being, during his  short time here on this earth.  He  was almost Christ-like in nature and will be remembered for his extreme  altruism, for Troy was always available to lend a helping  hand.

Troy showed kindness and understanding towards the  disadvantaged and especially the elderly.   We will never forget the kindness Troy extended towards our late husband and  father. When arthritis made it impossible for our father to shave himself, Troy  stepped in (as if it were his duty) and shaved our father’s beard, two or three  times each week plus offered him car rides for errands.  Although, he hadn’t lived in our home  the last eight years of his life, he still made it his duty to drop by weekly to  check on the household and offered his assistance. Troy’s kindness did not  stop with the Haynes Family: over the years, he had developed a close  relationship with our neighbors Lillian and George and always extended his  assistance when it was needed.

Claudette, please take  comfort in the fact, that although, others may not have mentioned their  impressions of Troy to you, he was considered to be a respectable, respectful,  selfless and generous young man, and will always be remembered as such. We will  miss him very much.

May Troy’s soul rest in peace  and may the Lord grant you strength in your  bereavement.

Love and  sympathy,

The Haynes  Family

There was a lot about 2012 that was really hard. For me, personally, it was         indescribably hard losing my son Troy in December. I miss his smile which could light up an entire room. I miss his amazing spirit and his love for — everything. Troy took absolutely nothing for granted.

I know many of you have ended a difficult year as well, and our nation is         reeling over the loss of so many innocent lives last year. There is a deep, heavy burden placed on our hearts because of it. I ask God to place his healing hand on us and help us move forward in our knowledge that we are better people for knowing those who have gone before us.

Ihope and pray the New Year brings some peace into your life. I don't  want to tell anyone what they should do, but I have found in my own life and in my own grief, when I reach out and bless someone else, I am comforted more. I think of how Troy would actually be the one making this person smile or doing a kind deed for this other person, and it gives me peace to do that in his memory.

What the world needs now is more love. More kindness. More unity. More empathy. And I know that's really easy to write, but it's also easy to do. It         takes just a second to hold the door for someone. It takes a couple  extra minutes to let a frazzled mom cut in line ahead of you. It takes 20 minutes to make a batch of cookies and make someone's day. It takes five minutes to write a co-worker a nice note complimenting their performance. It takes five seconds to share a hug. And it takes virtually no time at all to share a passing smile.

If you were ever going to make a meaningful resolution for the New Year,         resolve to spread kindness to others this year. Though you do it for others, you may be surprised at how it will greatly improve your mood, your attitude and your life. Just think about  it...

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all         of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo  Buscaglia

AMan In The Mirror — Michael Jackson

What A Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher — Jackie Wilson
Firework   — Katy Perry
You Raise  Me Up — Josh Groban
When You  Believe — Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey
Up Where We Belong — Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
Over The Rainbow — Various Artists
Good Life — One Republic
Listen To Your Heart — Roxette