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Showing posts from April, 2018

March 27 The fam

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Sterling won a ticket to a baseball game for reading at the local minor league ballpark so the rest of us bought tickets and went--you know, because hers was free. Sawyer was our family sports enthusiast so since he died we haven't done much of anything athletic or sportsy. It was tough I have to admit. We were missing him and feeling out of place more so than usual at these types of events. But Sterling walked in the parade, we ate our cotton candy and funnel cake, and left after the third inning. Grayson couldn't believe how many innings were left at the time we took off. But as we were sitting in the stands our song from our time in the DR came blaring over the loudspeaker. We played that song at Sawyer's Celebration of Life. Danza Kuduro. Every time I hear it, usually never in public, it transports me back to such a happy place where Sawyer was at his peak, laughing and loving and living outrageously. I shed a quiet tear and smiled as I thought of him "ghost hass

Throughout 2018 Stephanie Dubyk

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Stephanie is another one of the ever vigilant members of Sawyer's army who wears hers everyday. I know there are several of of you who do that and I wish I could get more pictures because knowing you wear that token in every big and little thing you do is just so powerful for me and such a strength.  Same goes for those who have it on their keychain, car, or somewhere else where they see it everyday and remember our Sweet SoyBoy. Stephanie and Jon Dubyk were our single friends back in the day, then our young married friends (they stayed with Finn in the middle of the night while Gray was being born), our gaming friends. They have proven to also be our committed and faithful friends and I imagine will be our old and grumpy friends when that point comes too.

April 22, 2018 Pres. Garafalo and Sis Sara Davis

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#mysawyerbracelet was sported by TWO different speakers at Stake Conference, Midlothian Stake. A member of the stake presidency and a member of our old branch, Sawyer's primary pianist who taught him to play "Give Said the Little Stream" for FHE. We never got to hear him play, so we anxiously await his heavenly concert.

April 19, 2018 Bob and Sharon Stickley (and Jaime and Jaime and Anna and Emma too!)

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Insane. Truly. We bought tickets because we like her music but we love her artistry, politics, parenting, and performance. She did not disappoint. Btw. That’s one strong woman.  # oneforthebooks   # goodseats   # greatfriends   #mysawyerbracelet #pink

April 17, 2018 Kendra Tribble

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"Sawyer came with us to SC, Johns Island, The Angel Oak tree"

April 10, 2018 Jack

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Finding peace on the parkway.  # mysawyerbracelet

April 1-9, 2018 Williamsburg with the Family

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Jack and I never go a day without wearing our bracelets, so obviously we carry his memory with us everywhere. Since I can't post a photo of us everyday and literally everywhere I decided to at least throw up a couple on the occasions that are out of our everyday routine. We miss him at home, we miss him on vacation, we just miss him. And as always, we are grateful for those who honor and remember him in the different places they go.

April 8, 2018 Cherise Whittier Alva

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"Wore my wristband for the entire race and told my friend all about him on the run. His legacy inspired us!" Cherise wore her wristband for 70.3 miles!! Absolutely insane and TOTALLY OUTRAGEOUS!  Cherise and her family were in Jaime's ward growing up in Blacksburg and were family friends. Cherise lost her brother Drew to cancer in his twenties. She knows loss and she has been so supportive and kind in helping us remember Sawyer.

April 7, 2018 The Harvey Family

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SOY was with us while we were honoring Cameron’s life today. ( The Color Me Cameron 5k Fun Run was created several years ago to honor a teenager from Pulaski who died, Calmeron Fitzwater, and generate funds for a memorial scholarship in Cameron's name. Several people we know from Radford knew Cameron and honor him by participating in this race. Having Steve Harvey wear Sawyer's bracelet to represent our family and his family was a truly kind tribute on multiple levels. )

April 7, 2018 Gunnar McKee Brandermill Ward

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We hiked 10 miles to the highest peak in Virginia. This is Gunnar being strong for Sawyer at the summit of Mt Rogers, highest Peak in VA, a round mile trip of 9 miles. (10 for us though, since we briefly got lost.)

April 6, 2018 Miranda Gaubatz

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Sawyer represents in a color run in Utah the same weekend as the one in VA. 

April 5 Sylas McKee Brandermill Ward

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17 mile downhill bike ride completed. Now we get to hang out at our cabin by the fire and river. Sylas was proud to take Sawyer on the Virginia Creeper Trail today. 

April 3, 2018 Aunt Sally

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Jamestown Jamestown

April 4, 2018 The Vaughn Family

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We shared one of our family Easter traditions with them. Thoughtful, they included Sawyer in a photo.

April 2, 2018 Grandma Nita

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Remembering my grandson, Sawyer, this past weekend during our inspirational semi-annual church conference. He would have been 12 and in SLC attending conference with his family for this two generational family tradition.

April 1, 2018 Pres Brooks Baltich (Stake President Midlothian Stake)

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England with the Stake President #mysawyerbracelet