Happy Mother’s Day
I’m so thankful to have these few seconds of audio recorded. My heart goes out to my wife and all the mothers among us who are honoring this day while remembering a child who was taken too soon. Please think of those moms today as you celebrate the wonderful love of mothers for their children. [FC]
I’m back in Berkeley for the first time in almost a year. Early this morning I drove to the intersection where Zachary died. I wanted to leave flowers here, at the spot where his life ended three years ago. When we lived here we tried to tend to this place, the corner of Derby and Warring in Berkeley, the way we tend to his grave back home. We mark it as a way to remember. It is an obligation. It is a place that has been scratched into my soul. A place that changed me more than perhaps any other place in the world. As I walked to the corner, I saw something I had not expected to see. All up and down the stop sign that bears my son’s name were flowers. Some were old and withered and some were still fresh. There was a small piece of art, kind of a sculpture. A tree branch, jetting up from a base wrapped in colorful yarn. Not a cross. More like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Something that had been fashioned by someone and left here for Zachary, a symbol I can appreciate but can’t fully comprehend. I was once again amazed. We have no family in the area. I know a few friends still come here and leave flowers on occasion. But who else brought these things to this place while we have been gone. Neighbors, who still remember the day a little boy was killed on their street? Strangers, who heard the story somewhere? Zachary’s classmates from Le Conte who are now nine, ten years old? Was it for Zachary that they brought these things to this place? Was it for themselves? Or was it for me? How can I know? Whoever you are, and whatever your motivations, thank you for helping me carry this burden. It’s too heavy to lift alone, I’ve learned that much after three years.
I laid my flowers down among the rest and breathed the cold air in deep. I cried a little. But not a lot.
My best friend Frank Cruz is remembering his son this week as is my family and our friends. Zachary Cruz was killed in an auto collision 3 years ago in Berkeley California. The driver wasn’t paying attention while at a stop sign and going through an intersection and fatally hit him. Take some time to remember with us even if you didn’t know Zach. He was amazing and is incredibly missed. This week Frank has been putting up pictures at http://zacharymichaelcruz.tumblr.com. You can go there to learn more about Zach and to see more pictures.
This is another Santa Cruz picture. Zach is making a silly face (something he did often when a camera was pointed at him) and he is with my wife Stacy. I loved watching them play together and spend time together. Zach spent a lot of time with us and it effected our lives. All for the better. We kind of “grew up” while Zach was literally growing up. I am thankful that he was such a big part of our lives and continues to be.
My best friend Frank Cruz is remembering his son this week as is my family and our friends. Zachary Cruz was killed in an auto collision 3 years ago in Berkeley California. The driver wasn’t paying attention while at a stop sign and going through an intersection and fatally hit him. Take some time to remember with us even if you didn’t know Zach. He was amazing and is incredibly missed. This week Frank has been putting up pictures at http://zacharymichaelcruz.tumblr.com. You can go there to learn more about Zach and to see more pictures.
Happy birthday Zach! Today would have been Zach’s 9th birthday. This picture is also from our Santa Cruz trip. We went bowling towards the end of the day. Zach was obviously very stoked.
I can’t imagine how he’d look today. I get to see his cousin (who is the same age) sometimes and it’s emotional to think about how big Zach would be. It sucks that we’ll never know or see it. It’s like we were robbed of the opportunity. After the accident I had dreams for a while where Zach kept getting older. It was sometimes unsettling and sometimes comforting.
Today I am on a plane on my way to Iceland. Last year I was on tour with my band. I miss being with Frank and Jodie and family. But I hope they and Zach understand and know I am remembering and missing them. I love you.
I was thinking of posting this one myself last week. Such a great story. From Chris’ Tumblr:
From Chris’ Tumblr…
My best friend Frank Cruz is remembering his son this week as is my family and our friends. Zachary Cruz was killed in an auto collision 3 years ago in Berkeley California. The driver wasn’t paying attention while at a stop sign and going through an intersection and fatally hit him. Take some time to remember with us even if you didn’t know Zach. He was amazing and is incredibly missed. This week Frank has been putting up pictures at http://zacharymichaelcruz.tumblr.com. You can go there to learn more about Zach and to see more pictures.
This is a picture of Zach hanging out and watching a movie at Stacy and my apartment. Zach had taken swimming lessons this summer and I think this was after one of them or maybe while mom and dad were out of town. I know for sure we were watching Finding Nemo. We always watched Finding Nemo. I can’t really watch that movie anymore.
I like this picture because it shows how easy going Zach was and it reminds me of this time. Zach was coming over to our house a lot and I got to see him all the time. It was awesome! We had a lot of good afternoons around this time. In fact, right around the time this picture was taken we made this together: http://youtu.be/KMPZcRU3Cuc
Thank you for remembering with me and mine. It’s important.
