A week ago today we celebrated Memorial Day to honor those brave soldiers who fought and died. Today we remember the bravest soldier I have ever known, my son Jimmy Piper. The last halloween Jimmy celebrated he dressed up as a soldier going to war. How appropriate it was for he was in the battle of his life. We should all look at this tree as a tribute to his bravery. I can only hope that if I can approach the rest of my life with half the courage Jimmy had, I'll be the better for it.

I remember Jimmy telling me after his diagnosis that he was happy he wouldn't have to go to school anymore because he'd have to be traveling allover the country going in and out of hospitals to fight his disease. But after a few months, that attitude changed. He would tell me he missed Holly Lane and being with his teachers and friends. I used to kid him that I couldn't believe this was really Jim speaking who wanted to go back to school! I'll never forget the look on his face when he walked into Mrs Applegate's classroom after being gone for almost six months. The cheer that his friends gave him and the opportunity to return to his desk was the best therapy he could have received.

As for the tree itself, it couldn't be more appropriate. Jimmy's favorite time of the year was Christmas. As a matter of fact, Jimmy told me before he died that his idea of Heaven was sitting on our couch at Christmas time with the fire place burning, big white flakes of snow coming down while he sipped hot chocolate and looked at the Christmas tree.

This tree will be Jimmy's Christmas tree that never has to come down. It's evergreen and like our love for Jim, everlasting. We thank you very much.