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.



Carl didn't know I was adding that line along the bottom - it is from a poem we found that has really touched us.

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








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!



"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.

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.