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Post by Van Vradenburg on Dec 24, 2006 19:28:29 GMT -5
Hey Little Buddy,
Well, the calendar says it's December 24. Guess that makes it a special occassion. Certainly not the same this year without you....not sure if it can even really be Christmas...
Lots of love to you buddy. Lots and lots of love.
Merry Christmas, son.
Miss you.
-Your dad
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Post by Van Vradenburg on Jan 8, 2007 1:36:03 GMT -5
Well, Little Buddy,
It has now been a year....a whole year since your address changed.
We gathered this weekend at the cemetery. A wonderful mother of two of your friends organized a very nice meeting of many of your friends and their parents. They placed flowers on your grave and we had good words and memories about you. Your mom and Scilla and Dee were there as was Katherine and her parents. We had a very nice time. Then we went to the sand hill in Seaside and constructed a message to you: MISS U DAVID V. 92-06. It can be easily seen from the freeway. I hope you also got a glimpse, because it expresses out hearts. Then we went to a park and had some food.
It really took the sting out of what I was sure was going to be an incredibly hard weekend. Though the weekend had its emotional moments, we were greatly uplifted and encouraged by the gathering of so many who love you so much.
Furthermore, based on some revelations that were told to me by some specific people, it is now clear, very clear what the source and nature of the evil was that assaulted our family, which INTENTIONALLY, CALCULATINGLY and WILLFULLY ripped the rug out from under our feet, and of which you were the victim. You, of all kids, you KNEW right from wrong, and you were forced to live with a wrong and continual injustice that you simply did not think you could live with. I understand that now, my son. And I know why. I know what and why. Furthermore, I know WHO, what and why. And how. And this weekend I was given the smoking gun...David, God allowed for me to learn this information this weekend and I PROMISE you, son, that it will be used to get justice for you. And you know what my promise to you means.
Yes, I am beginning to see how this will play out now. The whole thing is headed for the light. That is, it will soon no longer be hidden and secret, but will be surrounded, seized and dragged into the light where the evil will be fully exposed and held to account. We are going through the proper channels, but we are also now loaded for bear. I told you once that George Washington (or someone famous) once said that "Evil men prosper when good men do nothing." Well, I am not the man to do nothing. You know me. We have prayed for justice for you for a long time and the time now is near, very near. We were taken down by unchecked evil. It cost you your life. It cost me my son. This evil will not stand. It will be checked. And, being the chess guy that you are, you know full well what I mean when I say that it will be check-mated very soon! (Lord willing).
I do not know why God allowed me to go an entire year before I learned this recent crucial information. But neither do I know why God allowed this at all. I understand that I may never know such information on this side of heaven, and I am alright with that. It is not my world, after all, but is God's. He doesn't have to answer to me nor does He need my permission for things to happen. But I do know that I know it now and that it will be crucially important here very soon. Glory be to God!!!
I am now 366 days closer to being with you...a whole year closer. I can't wait to see you again.
I miss you greatly, David. I remain extremely proud of you and will continue on being who we are and doing what we do. I love you, son.
Your Dad.
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Post by kalani8 on Mar 11, 2007 23:14:54 GMT -5
I am deeply saddened to return to Monterey and hear such shattering news. I remember your face so clearly, as u sat in our class room watching your dad entertain knowledge into our heads. I was eagerly awaiting the news of your hs graduation and what college you were going to lead to a championship. Mr.V I can't imagine the pain you are going through, just know you will make it through and life is right in any sort, no matter how much we hate the way it works at times. Know David is no longer feeling the everyday pain of being a mere mortal. He is now powerful as his creator and waiting for you be by his side once again when the time is right. My heart and love goes out to you and your entire family. Ka Lani Santiago (Tiffany White)
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mom
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Post by mom on Apr 21, 2007 15:37:47 GMT -5
I've been thinking a lot about you lately, missing you, and feeling the loss of such a wonderful love of my only child. I'm thankful God has shielded me from such a deep hole of sadness and sweetly encourages me step by step as I trust in his mighty hand. You are irreplaceable. I'll let my soul mourn; I guess I need to, but then soon I'll think about where you are and WHO you are with, then it will be okay. I'll intently look to Him; he'll carry me through this little storm, and I will feel the joy and peace that accompanies the obedient and humble heart.
I love and miss you David!
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Post by jadedstar247 on Jul 9, 2007 15:07:29 GMT -5
Thinking of you today...
Luv Karm
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Post by Van Vradenburg on Jan 6, 2008 22:40:14 GMT -5
Well, Bud, it's been two years.
Many of your friends gathered at the cemetery this afternoon to remember you. Many said some very nice things about you; all true. Life on the planet is different without you. We all miss you and we all love you. God has been good to all of us as I am sure He is good to you.
It was kind of strange seeing so many of your friends so much more grown up; but it was good seeing them.
We all miss you, David. We all love you very much. We all look forward to when we will see you again.
Things are easier for me these days. It's not as hard as it was the first year, thankfully. I'm still as proud of you as a dad could ever be, and even more so today after hearing what a great friend you were to those who were in your circle of pals. You did good, son. Real good. You were a blessing to each and every one of us and we are all richer for having had you in our lives while we did.
I miss you dearly, still, David, but I know you are well and well-taken care of. And I still can't wait to join you and see your beautiful smile again.
I love you, son.
-Joe Daddy
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Post by Van Vradenburg on Oct 6, 2008 16:12:15 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, David.
Today is your sixteenth birthday. It is a Monday and a warmish day with a clear blue sky, October 6, 2008.
We celebrated your birthday together yesterday, Sunday. We had your mom come out and the twins were there and Scott and Fran. We ate pizza and had some cheesecake. Your mom brought the cheesecake.
We talked about you and missed you and laughed at some of the things you said and did like when you were little guy and you sat on Grandma Fran's lap and were facing her and looking at her and you asked her, " Why you have TWO chins?" That was pretty funny.
Or another time when you were little and you asked Lisa, " Why you always gotta wear dat wiptik (lipstick)?"
Or when I'd tell you that it was time to go to bed, you said, " Don't tay dat!" Ha Ha.
We are now 1,004 days closer to being with you, son. That's quite a chunk of time already covered. It's 1004 days too many in my opinion, but I'm not the one in charge.
We all miss you terribly and love you more. I miss you with all my heart and you are constantly on my mind. I love you, David, and cannot wait to see you again.
Happy 16th Birthday, son.
-Love, Your Dad
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Post by missu4ever47 on Oct 21, 2008 20:42:08 GMT -5
i had to write a vignette about my hero today, for my English class. and no one came to mind as swiftly as you did. its going to be hard, though, to describe who are are to those who will read my paper. its kinda like giving a calculus book to a 2nd grader. i don't even know if i can put it onto paper. but ill do my best to do you justice.
PS. sorry i haven't written in a long time. but I'm always thinking of you.
- Deeanna
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Post by Van Vradenburg on Nov 26, 2008 21:03:19 GMT -5
Happy Thanksgiving, son. Well,it actually is tomorrow, but I''ve got a few moments right now.
I won't think about you not being here for this event until tomorrow...that's how I get along, just think about one day at a time and do not anticipate the emptiness that is sure to be there.
Although this time of year, now through Christmas, is the hardest part of the year...and then after that January 7 rolls around which is the worst of all. So I might get leaning ahead a little in terms of missing you for this season pretty soon. I'll hold on as long as I can.
Life is different now, bud. Very different. I live in a tiny little bubble and don't get out much or involve myself with others outside of family and those at work. I come home from work, and usually go right outside and go on walks with the dawg. I spend a lot of time outside alone; that is where I can think of you and where you are, and get a clear mind. Things can get complicated very easily for me these days, I can't really handle a lot of stress, and I prefer to just go back to the simpleness of being in the woods with Emma (the dog) and thoughts of you. So we don't really do that much, and I'm good with that.
I am 1,055 days closer to being with you today, David. That is a lot of days. I get excited that every day I wake up closer to being with you and that I will never be further away than I was one second ago.
I dream of you often. You are just with me in a normal way and we are doing things. Nothing big, just routine things and there you are at my side. I hate waking up and realizing that it isn't true.
When I read the Bible every day I always try to see into heaven a little bit more to understand what things are like for you. With limited glimpses, all I know is that it must be amazing.
You are on my mind all day long every day. My heart has healed quite a bit and things are not nearly as painful as they were the first year and a half or two years. There is no other way to explain that than God's continuous presence with me this whole time.
Every day I start to think what if, but then realize that I can't go there. I also cannot go a few other places and have yet to put my mind much on your last few minutes here...I just can't go there. But I know that you are in a good place, in good Hands and experiencing true joy. When I return to those thoughts and feelings, I can exist and move along. It requires looking at where you are and Who you're with instead of where you aren't and who you are not with. It is a struggle at times, still, but I have experienced quite a bit of settling in knowing how wonderful things are for you now.
We talk about you every day and I am remembering you always.
I continue to love you with all my heart, David, as I always have, and as I always will. I can't wait to see you again.
Happy Thanksgiving, son. I miss you dearly.
-Your Dad.
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mom
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Post by mom on Mar 20, 2009 17:10:44 GMT -5
Dear David,
It's been a very long time since I wrote here. It's very difficult to read how others miss you and feel the pain they experienced. When I think of you, I think of our happy times and wish you were also around when I have special moments of joy that the Father brings.
I've seen your friends all grown up, and I wonder and imagine what you would have looked like coming up on 17, or even at 16 years of age. All I know for sure is that I will recognize you somehow when we meet again. I'm in your room, looking at your things. I love reading from your bible and reading the passages you've highlighted. I love reading your old book reports and all your artwork and drawings from when you were a little guy.
I love talking about you and saying what I appreciated about you.
I miss you, and I love you.
Mom
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Post by Van Vradenburg on Oct 6, 2009 16:57:03 GMT -5
Dear David, Happy Birthday, son! Today is your 17th birthday. October 6, 2009. I know how much you loved birthdays; hopefully that hasn't changed. I suppose that you introduced the "When's Your Birthday" song into heaven, didn't you? I'll bet you are singing it right now. You are 17. I am struck with the mystery of whether you have aged and grown in heaven; that is, if you look like you are 17 or if you look like you are still 13, or just how that all works. I try to imagine what you would look like at 17 down here on this planet were you still around...I'm sure you would be a handsome young man. I miss you terribly still, son. I miss you so bad. Though God has been 100% faithful, it is still very hard to be separated from you. Every day I wish I was with you. I have new memories of you every day. Sometimes I think of something I hadn't thought of in years, and it warms, but then saddens my heart. I just know that I continue to love you with all my heart, as I always have. As of today, I am 1369 days closer to being with you. That is some distance closer, isn't it? You remain an incredible human being, David. You were one of the most special of all God's creations, ever. You were a joy to all who knew you. I can't wait to experience relationship with you again; I miss you so much. Hey, one question: do they play football in heaven? Tackle? If so, we're gonna be on the same team again and play forever...literally. I know you don't want to hear this, but Brett Favre now plays for the Vikings. Yes, that is bad. Worse than that, he torched the Packers last night in their first meeting since he joined the Vikings. Enough of the bad news. Well, I hope that there is a special event in heaven honoring your birthday today, son, because there sure would be if you were still here. As for myself, I believe that I am going to eat at your favorite restaurant, Arby's, tonight in honor of you. I love you with all my heart, David. And miss you terribly. Happy 17th, dear son. -Your dad
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Post by Van Vradenburg on Dec 25, 2009 13:49:53 GMT -5
Merry Christmas, David!
It is Christmas Day 2009.
I am 1448 days closer to being with you.
Remembering the many Christmas mornings when we awoke early to open Christmas presents...or sometimes we opened them on Christmas Eve.
It is different without you, son. It's just not the same. I wish I could give you some Christmas presents. But I don't know exactly how to get them to you...
I can't imagine what your experience is now, today, but I sure do wish that we were together.
One thing, though, is that you don't have to be on this planet when certain institutions are trying to turn the world upside down. Madness reigns at the highest levels of our government as well as in other particular groups. It's probably a good thing that you don't have to sit around and listen to me go on about it all the time. Indeed it is truly Orwellian - bad is good, good is bad, black is white, white is black and God-haters are in power.
But today, just as on all the Christmasses you were here, we will remember the true meaning of this day. Only I wish that you were here to remember and celebrate it with us.
Merry Christmas, son.
God bless you real big.
-Your Dad
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Post by sandra999 on Jan 25, 2010 21:03:39 GMT -5
I got no words to say but wanted to share some healing verses I have found during my own tribulations. I offer them with respect to Van and his beautiful family. May healing find its way to your hearts very soon, may you remember one day you will once again meet David in the light and glory of God. Many hugs.
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"May Grief be not an illness that requires a cure, rather, it be a call to embark on a journey of the soul.
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'Death is nothing at all. It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner.
All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting.. when we meet again'
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Imagine for a moment that we are standing on the sea shore. We have waved goodbye to our friend who is sailing away on a large clipper ship. We stand and watch the billowing white sails and the boat appears to get smaller and smaller. Finally, it moves beyond our sight. "There he goes," we say. But in reality, the boat has not vanished nor is it gone. It is simply out of our sight. On a far off shore there are others standing and waiting and they excitedly call out, "Here he comes!"
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Post by rongstad on Mar 15, 2010 13:28:22 GMT -5
Dear David, We never had a chance to meet, which from the tributes to you and my connection to and respect for your father, I regret greatly. I wish you were not gone, and could still be present for your dad who clearly loves you very much. I will think of you when I am with my own children, and cast appreciation and love their way in honor of you and your family. Sincerely, Todd Rongstad
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Post by jadedstar247 on Oct 6, 2010 11:29:28 GMT -5
Happy Birthday David- The big 18 today!
Thinking of you especially today <3
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