Balloons for Daddy - Saturday, November 28th

Just heard from Steph.

She took Matthew to Gary's grave and they let balloons go.
Mathew wrote on his balloon.
"I love you Daddy"
And, had arrows pointing down toward the ground.

Stephanie's balloon had
"I love you and miss you Gary"
"Your loving wife"

As they were driving to the gravesite, a song game on the radio.
"I miss you"
"I'll love you forever"
"Where did you go?"

Steph said Matthew was singing it all the way there.

They said on the bench and talked...

Matthew patted Stephanie's back and said "It's OK Mommy, we'll be OK"

And they will....

I miss you big brother.

Still trying to understand.

I can't help the tears that flow.
I am so sad...

But Gary is soaring high above us.
Keeping watch.
Keeping faith alive.

Thanksgiving 2009

Today was an amazing day.
Matthew and Stephanie spent the night.
Steph bought all of us Christmas PJ bottoms.
Seems it was a tradition with them over the years.
So, around 9PM we all put on our PJ's and played games.

This morning I wasn't really sure I could do it....
Wasn't sure I could put on a smile and act like everything was normal.
Because it wasn't.
Gary should have been there with us.
Why...
I still can't believe it.
How did this happen?

Then, Matthew came bounding into our room.
Excited about Thanksgiving...
Smiling ear to ear.
Wanting to play.
Just a normal little 6 year old.
Ready to begin the day.

And so we did...

The feeling of being lost went away.

Memories of past Thanksgivings came flooding back.

Remembering our Mom and Dad.
Remembering Gary.

Knowing they were with us.

Going to Mom and Dad's grave tomorrow to place their holiday
grave blankets, flowers and wreath.

Giving Steph a wreath for Gary's grave.

Not ready to go there yet.

Happy Thanksgiving to our family and friends.
Remembering everyone this Thanksgiving.
More than ever.
Life is truly a gift.
Enjoy every moment.

A Special Thanksgiving - 11/25/09

I haven't written in this blog for awhile.
For awhile it was my life.
I had a need to write what was going on...
Now...
I know I should end this blog and be done with it.
But, I've promised friends I would keep writing until the last fundraiser was done.

The reality has really sunk in now.
I see the pain on Stephanie's face.
I see the questions in Matthew's eyes.
And, maybe I'm selfish, but my heart hurts...
It just aches.
Like a real pain.
Feeling a little bit lost.

Missing Gary so much.
He really was bigger than life.
He wasn't perfect - that's for sure.
And, we would argue all the time.
But, he knew I loved him.
And, I know he loved me.
That's what counts.
No regrets.
No "what if's"
God had another plan for Gary.
Nothing we could do.

And, tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
Gary's (and my Dad's) favorite Holiday.
He loved cooking the turkey, making his special stuffed mushrooms, and watching football.
Every year we would take a picture of him with a napkin sticking out of his mouth.
Don't know when it started - at least 20 years ago.
And, when we couldn't be together.
We would stick napkins in our mouths, take pictures, and send them to him.
Strange I know....

Gary and I were the only ones who knew how to make the "bouvier" stuffing.
It's with ground beef and can actually be made into a sandwich after Thanksgiving.
We really don't have a receipe - but this year I'm going to try and write something down to pass along to Kate.. Can't let it end with me....

And so the Holidays will come and go.
Families will get together and count their blessings.

This year, I have a lot of blessings.

My friends.
They are more than friends, they are truly family.
Always there.
Always supportive.

My family.
Terry has been beside me and doesn't even need to say anything.
I know he's there.
Kate....
What can I say about my daughter?
Love doesn't even come close.
She is so special.

So, this Thanksgiving, do me a favor.

Hug just a little tighter and longer.

Listen...
Listen to those around you and learn something that you didn't know about that person.

And, most of all really, really be thankful for what you have.
At that moment.
On that day.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Chili Dinner and Raffle, Sunday 11/22 Fundraiser #2

We will be hosting a Chili Dinner and Raffle on:

Sunday, November 22nd from 5PM to 9PM

Noblesville Community Center
372 S. 8th Street
Noblesville, IN 46060

Chili Dinner - $5.00/per person (includes Chili, bread/crackers, dessert and drink)
Or.. feed your entire family for $20.00

We will also have some great Raffle prizes (Gift checks for restaurants, hair products, Facial or massage, Redshad.com tackle packs, gator grips products, Nuts for the "nuthouse" and more coming every day.)

We are getting food and paper products donated from family and friends - if you are interested in helping, please contact Diana Bell-Anderson or Terry Anderson.

A big THANKS to Karin and Josh for coming up with this idea, helping with the fishing tournament that be held that day at Morse Lake and for getting the Community Center.


Please tell your family and friends about this fundraiser!
We need people to attend to make this work :)

Fishing Tournament - Sunday, 11/22 - FUNDRAISER #1

Here is information about the first fundraiser we are doing. More information will be posted later regarding a chili dinner on 11/22 and a cut-a-thon from Steph's business.

Gary Bouvier Memorial Tournament

Morse Lake, November 22, Sunday, 8AM to 4PM

Official Rules:

1. Check in and registration will begin at 6AM in the Morse Lake Marina parking lot.
2. Fish alone or with a partner, cost is $60.00 per boat with $10 going towards Big Bass.
3. 14 inch limit on either largemouth/spotted/smallmouth bass with a 5 fish per boat limit. No dead fish will be weighed in.
4. All Indiana Boating Laws will apply.
5. Official take off will be at 8AM and official check in will be at 4PM. You must be inside the idle buoys at 4PM or you will be considered late at a penalty of 1 lb. per minute.
6. There are no off limit areas during tournament.
7. You must fish out of boat at all times. Fishing from a dock or the shore will not be permitted.
8. Payout will be based on number of boats fishing and it will be a 50 percent payout of money collected. Big Bass money is considered a side pot and will be paid out 100%.
9. Please be courteous to all other participants while driving the boat and fishing. This is for a good cause and we don't want to see it ruined by something avoidable.

pre-registration can be send to Diana Bell, 6075 Lacebark Way, Avon, IN 46123 (Terry Anderson's wife) Checks can be made out to "Gary's Fight c/o Diana Bell".
Or register with Josh or at Morse lake that morning.

Include name, address, partner's name (if you have a partner), city, state and zip.

Money raised will be used to offset medical bills and burial arrangements for Terry's brother-in-law (Diana's brother) who died suddenly last week. Gary was a teacher all his life, without a job currently, and leaves behind a wife and 6 year old son Matthew. Your help is appreciated.

Please watch blog for more information regarding fundraisers to help Gary's family.

You can call Terry Anderson for more information 317/501-3434.

Thank you.

Saturday, November 7th - A Day of Celebration

What a day...
Saw so many friends and family members that I couldn't keep track.
Gary looked GREAT.
Really, I know it's hard to believe...
I know he was there watching, loving the pictures and the video.
Such a tribute to him.
And, all the stories...

I love the final resting place we picked out for him.
In the country.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
A place to remember, reflect, and take stock of your life.

Thank you all for making this such a special day.
He liked it, I know....

Matthew is spending the night, having a ball.
Gets to stay up late.
Spoiling him like crazy.

So glad my brother Michael came.
Lots of emotions.
Lots of memories to still make.

I will be posting information in the coming days about fund-raisers.
Stay tuned.

Rest in peace big brother.

You have always been bigger than life.
But, you knew that - didn't you :)

Happy Birthday Stephanie - we love you.

Friday, November 6 - 9PM

Busy day today.
Went by funeral home to drop off somethings.
Couldn't find anyone, so I wandered around.
Ended up in the viewing area.
I think I freaked the people out, because it's the room that the showing will be in tomorrow.
I was worried about the casket and wanted to find out if I should "upgrade" it...
Couldn't sleep the night before thinking about it.
They pointed out the casket in the room and said "there it is"...
Then, I asked if Gary was in the casket and they said "yes".
So, I just went right up there.
Again, freaking them out....
They still had to straighten his tie and some minor details.
But he looked really, really good.
Just like he was sleeping.
Talked to him a little and told him I'd see him tomorrow.
Again, the funeral people were just standing there - probably wondering if I would every leave.

Went outside and called Steph and Terry.
I guess I shocked them when I said
"Guess what, I just saw Gary"
They both said the same thing...
"Ok, Diana.... and where do you "think" you saw him?"
Then, I realized they thought I "saw" his spirit or something..,.
Which is totally understandable since I haven't slept, smelled my mom's perfume the night before, etc.
I said "no, I really SAW him - at the funeral home"
I can still hear their sigh of relief.....

So....
I think tomorrow will be fine.
A celebration of Gary's life with family and friends.
He is in great company up there.....

I also heard that people were having trouble making donations at National City.
I am so sorry about that.
They assured me that all people needed to do was go to any National City and tell them
"Gary's Fight c/o Diana Bell" and it would get deposited in the memorial fund.
I'll call or go by there and straighten it out.

We also have two fundraisers planned.
A fishing tournament and a dinner.
I will post details in separate blogs later.

Stephanie's family and friends are arriving today.
I am so glad they are coming and can't wait to see them.

Matthew has been busy picking out things to send to Daddy (we will put in the casket).
So far he has a cup he made at school and some candy.

He also said something really cute last night.
He said "Mommy, when batteries die in a TV, the TV goes to heaven right?"
Stephanie said "Sure Matthew"
And he said "That's good, that means that Daddy has a TV in heaven - he'll like that"

Thank you for your prayers.
Our families appreciate them.