We were determined to celebrate Jessi's life, instead of mourning her death this year on her birthday. We all felt her spirit with us the entire day and know in our hearts that she was there with us.

A couple of weeks before she was killed she and Larry were talking about his bike. He was working on it and she mentioned how fun it will be to go on a ride this coming summer. So we decided the best way to celebrate her birthday would be to go on a memorial ride for her. We brought along her ashes in the saddle bags. I (Mom) drove the Explorer and Kacey and CJ took turns riding with Larry.

We went down south to Ridgway and ate lunch at the "True Grit Cafe". I really felt her spirit with us when we walked in because a year ago I took the kids and my Mom here. The hostess was preparing to seat us at the same exact table, but the kids decided they'd rather eat upstairs.

After lunch we drove down to Ouray and took several photographs...

Larry & Cindy

Kacey & CJ

On our way home we stopped at the supermarket and bought a birthday balloon for Jessi. We all wrote a little something on a card and sent it up to the sky for her.

Kacey and Larry getting ready to release the balloon

You can't see it too well, but where the red arrow is pointing is Jessi's balloon flying to the skies.

When the kids were little they loved helium balloons. Although they loved them so much sometimes they would accidently let one go. To stop their tears I told them, "Don't worry, that balloon is going to your Grandpa, he'll catch it in heaven", it worked and they would be happy that they "gave" their Grandpa a gift. When their father was killed in 1991 they each wanted to send a balloon to their Daddy, so it's become a tradition in our family to send helium balloons to our dear departed loved ones. Jessi wrote a poem about releasing the balloons at her Daddy's funeral, it's titled "Memories", the link to it is on the main page of this tribute.

All in all it was a good day, it was very strange celebrating our daughter's life with out her with us. We spent the day talking about the fun times, sad times, and just remembering what a wonderful daughter and sister she was. We all miss her so very much, not a minute goes by that we don't think of her. Those memories either bring tears or smiles. Tears come because of the pain of not having more memories to share with Jessi. Like I said before, we felt her spirit amongst us. In our hearts she will be forever 14.

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