In Memory of my Son, Rob

[4 Dog Mother]

Rob died 2 years ago - it is hard to believe that he has been gone that long. We all miss him so much. It has taken us two years to make up our minds about what kind of gravestone he should have and what should be on it. You cannot imagine how many options there are and of course what to put on it is so open ended anymore that it becomes quite confusing. So here is what we finally decided on-

It was hard to get a good picture of the front because with the sun shining on it, it picked up the reflection of the stone behind it or whatever was in front of it - these were taken in the afternoon - I stopped by this morning to take pictures before I went to work - if any of those come out better I will post them tonight.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e30907ad7700000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

Carl didn't know I was adding that line along the bottom - it is from a poem we found that has really touched us.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e2c875cdb100000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/
He Only Took My Hand

Last night while I was trying to sleep my son's voice I did hear.
I opened my eyes and looked around but he did not appear.
He said, "You've got to listen. You've got to understand;
God didn't take me from you, He only took my hand.
When I cried out in pain that night, the instant that I died,
He reached down and took my hand, and pulled me to his side.
He pulled me up and saved me, from the misery and pain.
My body so badly wounded I could never be the same.
My search is finally over now, I've found happiness within.
All the answers to empty dreams, and all I might have been.
I love you all and miss you so... please don't keep asking why.
My body's gone forever, but my spirit will never die!
So live until we meet again, and please try to understand
God didn't take me from you, He only took my hand.
~Author Unknown

[4 Dog Mother]

This is the back of the stone

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e203650c6c00000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/


http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e2fe86cd5900000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/



We knew we wanted from Star Wars - Rob had the chicken pox when he was 4 and we had just gotten a VCR. He watched that movie over and over and over til I was sick of it. One day I even heard him repeating word for word parts of it. From that time until he died he was one of the biggest Star War fans. He was named Robert for Carl's dad and Dale from my dad's middle name so his aunt dubbed him R2D2 from the beginning. But Yoda was always his favorite character.

The young man at the monument place took this Yoda from a coloring book page I had and made it into one he could sandblast on there. We could have had an etching made but we liked this so much better.

Rob was a drummer who marched to his own drum so I know he would have liked this stone. And to us it says so much about him.

We love and miss you, my son.

[jackmilliesmom]

That is beautiful and the headstone is absolutely gorgeous too simple but elegant and a forever memory. I see you have an angel at the foot of the headstone, what a wonderful thing to do take it as a reminder that he is your angel and guiding you in your day to day and you will notice when you need a hug or help you can feel a warmth all around you.

I love my angels and know that my dad is one of my guardian angels sitting close by for when I need him and you should know that your son is one too and that is why God took his hand that day to ask him to help guide you and your family.......

[4 Dog Mother]

Thank you, your reply was beautiful!

[wombat2u2004]

That's a very beautiful stone 4DM.
Prayers coming your way from downunder.
Wom

[Laura's Babies]

That is a beautiful headstone! Makes me want to replace my son's with a more updated one!

[elizabethann]

I love it when people put personal things on gravestones. This one with Yoda is beautiful. What a great memorial to your son. It brought tears to my eyes and it made me smile.

I live near a cemetary and often walk Fenway in it. I've read some of the most interesting headstones - all unique in their own special way. When people see your sons gravestone, it will put a smile on their face and they'll know he was loved very much.

Thanks for sharing.

[Sevaede]

That's very beautiful! What a tribute!

[Alysser]

What a nice tribute, and that stone is beautiful!

[caseysmom]

Thats very beautiful and a lovely tribute to your son.

[Cinder & Smoke]

WOW, Mom and Dad ... You did Good! Really Good!

<sniff>

"R2D2" / Rob will enjoy using this Stone as his Earthly Outpost ...
You're sure to feel his presence at the House ... he's not far away.





http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p14451846b505fab72d9d6407f670cc9d/e87df857.jpg

He was named Robert for Carl's dad and Dale from my dad's middle name,
so his aunt dubbed him R2D2 from the beginning.
But Yoda was always his favorite character.

Rest in Eternal Peace, Rob ... and Know that You are Missed by us All.

{{{Hugs}}} to Diana, Carl, Amy, and Christy

[Cataholic]

What a beautiful monument! I can't imagine the depth of the grief you have experienced, and from your honest and candid postings, and loving reminders of how precious life is, I feel you have made me a better mother to my son.

[lizbud]

You picked a beautiful headstone & I love the poem. It is a wonderful
tribute to Rob.I lost a younger brother many years ago. He was far to young
to die & it was a terrible shock that saddened all of us.I still keep him in my
prayers as I do for you & for Rob. ((Hugs)) Liz.

[lvpets2002]

:) Oh my I am just speechless.. The HeadStone is just so Breathtaken.. Of which I am sure your Son was as much Breathtaken.. Such a OutStanding Tribute & Dedication for your Son.. The poem was so very nice.. God Bless you all & may your son be smiling upon all your hearts..

[4 Dog Mother]

Thank you all for such nice comments about the stone we chose. I was really afraid that many people might think it was weird to put Yoda on it. But as I said, I think Rob would have wanted it that way.

Johanna, thank you - I think back to some of the things I did and didn't do and just wish someone would have kept reminding that life doesn't always have happy endings.

I forgot to post the pictures of the tree that Pet Talk donated to the cemetery where Rob is. It is doing well and we again thank all of you who donated - it is just so great knowing that you all cared enough to give something that will be there for a very long time.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e30f26ad5500000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e25cc04c7e00000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

[ramanth]

What a gorgeous monument. *HUGS*

[kimlovescats]

What a beautiful and loving tribute to your dear son. I don't know that I've ever seen a more beautiful one! I think the line at the bottom is absolutely perfect and so very true. Thank you so much for sharing the poem that it came from! The back of the stone is wonderful as well. What a great way to show just who your son was and what he loved. I commend you for putting so much of yourself into his resting place!

Hugs,
Kim

[AdoreMyDogs]

What a beautiful and loving tribute to your son. I can't imagine how hard this experience has been for you, but you are such strong people bound by such deep love. Rob is in a good place, you know this and I know this but I just can't imagine the pain you have had to endure.

I bet Rob is so happy with the stone you so thoughtfully picked out for him...and that tree, how lovely.

Peace and love to you all from my family and I.

Love,

Leslie

[shais_mom]

with a HUGE lump in my throat.
I never met Rob - only knew him thru you, Carl, Amy, and Christy.
But that is a GOREGOUS stone. I LOVE it.
It is simply amazing @ what they can do with headstones today.
I know that Rob is one of your angels now and the fact that you have collected them for years just ingrains that even more in my head.
Much love to you and the family and until I see you in a couple weeks - this will have to do - {{hugs}}

[*LabLoverKEB*]

What a beautiful, wonderful tribute to your son... I am so terribly sorry for your loss. :(
[[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]

[cassiesmom]

What a lovely tribute for your son.

[Logan]

Diana, thank you for feeling close enough to us to share this very personal decision and experience. I cannot imagine how hard the loss of Rob was for you all, but you have memorialized his life beautifully.

Logan

[Cincy'sMom]

The stone turned out wonderful! I'm glad you deicded to put Yoda on it. I really think Rob would like it.

I'm not sure I have ever shared this song with you before, but I eveytime I hear I think of Rob.

"Who You'd Be Today" Kenny Chesney

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
I feel you everywhere I go.
I see your smile, I see your face,
I hear you laughin' in the rain.
I still can't believe you're gone.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who'd you be today?

Would you see the world? Would you chase your dreams?
Settle down with a family,
I wonder what would you name your babies?
Some days the sky's so blue,
I feel like I can talk to you,
An' I know it might sound crazy.

It ain't fair: you died too young,
Like the story that had just begun,
But death tore the pages all away.
God knows how I miss you,
All the hell that I've been through,
Just knowin' no-one could take your place.
An' sometimes I wonder,
Who you'd be today?

Today, today, today.
Today, today, today.

[Instrumental Break]

Sunny days seem to hurt the most.
I wear the pain like a heavy coat.
The only thing that gives me hope,
Is I know I'll see you again some day.

Some day, some day, some day.

[crow_noir]

Wow, what a wonderful tribute. Good job on making it so personalized and not so cookie cutter.

I Loved the poem.

*hugs* Condolences on your loss and grief.

[Lobodeb]

What a beautiful, personalized stone.

You and your family are in my prayers.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

What a beautiful stone!! I love the personal things you put on it, especially that line from a poem on the bottom. This is unusual here; mostly there is only a pic and a name from that person. I can feel you loved and still love your son very much; He must have been a very special young man :)

[anna_66]

I'm with Staci-major LES.

I too never knew Rob, but it really sounds like the stone you picked out was perfect and I'm sure he thinks you and Carl did a wonderful job picking it out.

Here's some more cyber (((HUGS))) for the both of you till I see you next month and get to give them to you in person.

[finn's mom]

I think it's perfect. I feel like I got to know him just through your posts and through the stone. I think it's good that you took your time choosing what would go on it, and I think it looks beautiful. It would certainly be one I would stop and read, and Rob will live on in that way as well. The poem is very touching.

[4 Dog Mother]

Thank you all for your nice comments and understanding. Amy, your song left me crying - good thing I'm all alone at work today. No you have never shared that song with me. I would love to hear the music that goes with it sometime.

Logan, I think that like so many others, I feel like you are all friends and family. You all shared our grief when Rob died, it seems only fitting to share other parts of him. I also chose to do this because Randi posted John's gravestone and I thought it was interesting to see the differences in even the cemetery where John is. The bush hedge that marks his gravesite is so different than anything you see here. And the fact that you can plant whatever plants you want (do I have that right, Randi?).

[cyber-sibes]

((((hugs))))
Diana, that is such a beautiful poem, and the headstone is perfect in every way. I've been thinking about your family & Rob the past couple weeks, I know the pain of his loss will never go away, but pray that time will soften the blow. The PT tree looks like it is happily thriving in that peaceful setting. I wish we were still close by so I could come over and hug you in person, but another cyber(((hug))) will have to do. ;)

[dukedogsmom]

That is a really nice way to remember him. I'd never read that poem before. Gave me LES. I'm glad you have a stone now. I'm sure that makes you feel a little less stressed. I can't imagine how hard it must still be for you.

[joycenalex]

diana i got LES when i read your post and saw your photos. i am so sorry for the grief you and carl have known, and i'm glad for the joy your children have given you , kind regards, joyce

[Twisterdog]

I keep coming back to this thread ever since you posted it. I'm trying to think of what to say, and I just can't seem to come up with it.

I cannot even begin to fathom losing a child. The strength of parents who live through that amaze me. I honestly think someone would be burying me as well, if anything happened to my son.

That's a beautiful headstone.

[Cinder & Smoke]

It's Time to Remember ... A Dear Son, Brother, and Friend of many ...
~ Robert Dale Kuhn ~
Who left us three years ago to become one of God's Angels.

I Hope Rob, aka R2D2, still makes recon flights from his beautiful stone Star Wars outpost
to check on Mom & Dad, Amy and Christy. I'll bet that you'll feel his presence this week.
* May his Force be with you - now and Forever *

Pet Talkers ~
This would be a great time to send a {{{Hug}}} and a Prayer out to Diana, Carl, Amy, and Christy;
and maybe an extra one for Rob.

* Done *

[Carol Bulger1944]

I also lost a son in a accident 2 years ago in a tragic car. He was 42 years old. The pain of losing a child is so hard to bear but time , my faith and my friends has made it easier for me. I can talk about him now without crying. There is no greater love than a mother has for a child. May you find peace in knowing that he is in God's hand. I will add you in my prayers.

[4 Dog Mother]

My attention was called that the pictures no longer show up due to the fact that they were taken from imagestation. I tried to edit the old post but evidently it is too old to do so. So here the pictures from the original posts.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e30907ad7700000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e2c875cdb100000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

http://http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e2c875cdb100000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e203650c6c00000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e2fe86cd5900000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

And here are pictures of the tree that Pet Talk donated to the cemetery where Rob is. It is doing well and we again thank all of you who donated - it is just so great knowing that you all cared enough to give something that will be there for a very long time.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e30f26ad5500000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b7cf06b3127ccec2e25cc04c7e00000010O08JZOGrlm1B7e fAg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D480/ry%3D320/

[Cinder & Smoke]

{{{Hugs}}}, Mom!!

Thanks for *fixin* the photos of Rob's Tree! :)

Can you find some replacement photos of The Stone? >>> ***DONE***! :D

"R2D2" / Rob's Earthly Outpost is so Beautiful, it's NICE to see it back here.

More {{{Hugs}}} ;)

[Pawsitive Thinking]

How beautiful and moving. My tears are flowing freely here

[RockyRoad]

That gravestone is absolutely gorgeous, and the "He only took my hand" poem brought tears to my eyes. It is very touching indeed. I haven`t been on PT in a few years, so this is the first I have heard about your son`s passing. I can`t begin to imagine how hard it must have been, and must still be in many ways, for you. It seems like he would absolutely love that gravestone. :) It truly reflects how much Rob is loved and that he was, and still is of course, sorely missed. Hugs to you, your family, and all those who knew your son, for staying as strong as you could through the last three years, and the many more to come. Rest in peace, Rob.

[Catty1]

{{{hugs}}} What a wonderful tribute, and incredible poem.

With the personal touches, it is really "Rob's stone", and perfect for him. When strangers pass by, they will know how special he was, and is.

{{{hugs}}}

[slick]

I love the pictures and glad to hear the tree is doing well.

Big {{{hugs}}} to Carl, Diana, Amy and Christy.

RIP Rob.

[caseysmom]

RIP Rob you are not forgotten. Hugs and prayers to everyone in the family.

[Ginger's Mom]

The grave stone is lovely. More hugs are being sent your way.