My dear friend Cindy sent me some photos of Henry last night that I’d never seen before. She apparently ran across them while sorting thru a bunch of her pix on a computer she hasn’t been using for a while.
These were taken on a family camping weekend that Henry, J and E went on with their Dad at the annual Lake Eden Arts Festival. All three kids had an absolutely great time.
I think this may have been the weekend that they stopped in Asheville for one night of the trip, and in the afternoon, Henry went for a meander around downtown, only to return to the hotel where they were staying with… a live bird. (Henry loved birds) If I’m remembering this story right, the bird was a parakeet he’d acquired while out and about. Classic, classic Henry.
He apparently made his case to the family for why they TOTALLY needed this bird to come back to Knoxville with them, but it was a no-go, Henry was quickly dispatched to return him to wherever he’d gotten him. He was still talking about that bird weeks later, including repeatedly suggesting that I drive him to Asheville to retrieve his feathered little friend. Now I really wish that I had 
Anyway, these are the photos. My heart literally skipped several beats when I opened them after Cindy texted them to me. The little guy in the middle photo is A., little brother of L., Cindy’s son and my E.’s bestie since birth.
I miss him so very, very much. There are lots of emotions that come with the death of your child, but that’s the most basic one – one that remains as sharp today as it was the day of his funeral: just a simple, bone-deep longing.
I hope Henry and that parakeet have found each other by now.
I'm so glad Henry got to experience LEAF – it really is a magical place. We've gone often, and the drum circle (which it looks like Henry might have joined!) is powerful and transformative. I'm also glad for you, that you got these photos. I imagine it is happy & heartbreaking, all at once.
What a good looking kid. I'm so very sorry he isn't here with you and your family. I have no doubt that he is somewhere wonderful, hanging out with his favorite things, having a great time until you all can be together again someday.
What a lovely, lovely surprise.
I am glad the Universe showed it's kindness to you as we approach the long holiday weekend! I am thankful for these, on your behalf!
What a wonderful surprise to see new photos of your handsome son. I lost my beautiful 16 year old daughter in a car accident 9 months ago…and I absolutely LOVE it when people send me pictures I haven't seen. It is a gift that warms my heart at the same time it tears it to pieces. Your description of the emotion of "bone-deep longing" is so very, very true. Your blog is something I look forward to reading…because you don't sugarcoat "life"…you present it like it is…some days joyful, and some days ordinary, and some days downright sad. Thanks for being real.
These are beautiful pictures, and what a wonderful Thanksgiving gift your friend gave you.
Katie, One of my co-workers lost her son to a horrible car accident last week. She's back at work already (don't ask me how) but sat in my office today for over an hour just saying over and over, "I just miss him so much. I just miss him so much." I told her about you and Henry, and about how that is the over-riding pain. I'm so sorry about all of it…but so happy you have these lovely photos of your tie-dye boy.
Big hugs from the lower left corner,
Claire