Rainy Birthdays

I don't know what the weather was like the day Ty was born.  I was in the hospital since the day before and he finally arrived at 11PM that night.  But on the day we took him home, the weather was perfect.  One of those magical days in early October where the sun warms you just enough to take off your sweatshirt and soak it all in under the changing leaves.  That was the day our life changed forever, and I couldn't wait to live it.

My birthday was on Wednesday, it was perfectly rainy and gloomy.  It suited my mood.  Today is Ty's birthday.  He would be seven years old.  Today is also pouring rain.  I've been checking the weather all week and there are raindrops from start to finish today.  It's perfect.  A muddy puddle kind of day just for Ty.

Please remember Ty today, and let your kids do whatever they want (well, almost).  It's Saturday. Let them make a mess in muddy puddles,  Bake cookies.  Use fingerpaint.  Let them have ice cream for breakfast and make smiley face pancakes for dinner.  Ty would think that is so funny.  Take pictures and upload to the website here.  http://muddypuddlesproject.org/be-part-of-the-project/  

When I just visited the muddy puddles site a second ago to copy and paste the link above, the random security word that appeared on the JotForm was "birthday."  How crazy is that?!?!?

And if you want to donate in his memory, please help Lou meet his fundraising goal from the recent TYathlon.  He finished the race with great time last weekend, and it was such a beautiful day.  Ty's spirit was there, cheering everyone on, and he is so proud of the work we do at the Foundation.  I know this to be true.  Thank you so much to all the incredible athletes who came out to support the foundation on race day.  A special shout-out to Ty's Uncle Harry, who drove all the way up from Eastern Long Island to participate in the TYathlon, only to turn around afterward to compete in a half Iron Man in Montauk the very next day.  What an amazing achievement!


This morning Gavin woke up extra early with such excitement.  "It's Ty's BIRTHDAY!!!  We have to wake up!!!"  He had me pour a bowl of cereal for Ty, and left the chair empty between us for his brother to join us for breakfast.  I could barely muster a smile until he started talking about how many marshmallows Ty had in his bowl when his were already almost gone (Lucky Charms was a special treat today).  When he couldn't stand it anymore, he said, "Ty, can I sit there and share with you?" He climbed into the empty chair without pausing for an answer and went to town on the marshmallows.  I thank God for Gavin every day, he makes me smile even on my saddest days.

We will sit in the rain and visit Ty's statue today.  We'll watch videos of Ty and eat candy.  We made some "random act of kindness" packages with gift cards to leave around town in his memory and we will let Gavin bake a cake so we can sing Happy Birthday to his brother tonight.

It's not the way it's supposed to be, but we will remember him always.  It means so much to us that you remember him, too.  Thank you.  Happy Birthday, TY.


 

Comments

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. Happy Birthday to the best solider ive ever known. His memory will always be with us and his smiles, his beautiful, gentile and kind smiles. Love all and miss you. Un beso para todos alla, Juliette Wolpert

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  3. Happy birthday sweet boy! May The Angels be singing you the most beautiful birthday song.

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  4. Gavin is the sweetest boy - your story's of his antics crack me up time and again. And Ty is so sweet too - look at him sharing his marshmallow's with Gavin :) My heart will always ache for your loss. The strength you and Lou show by continuing to fight for other kids is such an inspiration. I am so proud to help you in your efforts to make a difference for other kids. We think of Ty everyday, not only on his birthday - but today we'll do something extra special and silly to honor the little beautiful boy that changed my life and helped me to be a better mom. Much love to you, Lou and Gavin.

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  5. I will never forget Ty. I love Gavin's funny personality, he's a hoot!
    Your family has done nothing short of amazing work in keeping Ty, his name, his spirit and his life and memory alive to the world. God bless you. You should be proud of all you have done and continue to do.

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  6. ❤️❤️❤️Super Ty forever❤️❤️❤️

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  7. Each and every day we think of you, Ty. It is with extra love we celebrate you today. You must be so so proud of your Mommy, Daddy and Little Bro Gavin. They are teaching us all so much about you, about this life and about pure love.

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  8. Happy birthday to the best good boy in the whole wide world!! Cindy, I hope you get a thousand signs today. I love you guys!

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  9. Happy birthday Ty!!!!!♡

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  10. I'll be wearing my Super Ty shirt today in honor of your little boy. I think of him everyday so today is no different for that. But it is with extra sadness because he should be celebrating his special day with you, Lou and Gavin. Sending you hugs and love.

    Jennifer Russo

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  11. Happy birthday in heaven beautiful boy!

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  12. i am bit late... Hope you had a wonderful birthday up there Ty...thinking of you every dayxx Katiexx

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  13. Happy birthday, sweet boy. I saw a few ladybugs Thursday and thought of you. Two when we were out and then my son found one at our house the same day. I think they followed us home ;)

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  14. Thinking of your sweet Ty today and always.

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  15. Happy Birthday Ty!!!! From the Sennett Family

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  16. happy birthday to the strongest super hero ever out there

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  17. Happy Birthday Ty! I've been thinking of you all day.

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  18. Happy 7th Birthday in Heaven, Ty, the best good boy in the whole world! You are in our hearts and minds always.

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  19. Happy Birthday, Ty! You are making a difference....hoping you are enjoying all the blue lollipops that you can handle.

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  20. Happy Birthday baby boy :) All of us, will join you before you know it!

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  21. Happy birthday beautiful Ty. I remember your last cake and your beautiful smile on your 5th birthday. You are 7 today and you have lived a life of someone 10 times your age. You have known love and laughter pain and sadness yet your smile was always telling us that you are okay. You were and are and always be special like that. I don't think I ever remember any picture of you when're you are not smiling whether thru your lips or simply thru your soul. You have forever touched my heart and to me that just means that somehow I have met you before because I simply can't imagine loving someone I never met so much. Today was a tough day I had for me and before I started you kipur I had to light memory candles for people in my life that I love and I lit one for you. It was just so natural that a candle would be lit in your honor. I love you I miss you. Happy birthday superTy. Sending your mom your dad and your brother hugs and best wishes.

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  22. Thinking of you and Ty on his birthday!

    I thought of you and your sweet Ty so walked my 4 year old son into school. It had rained that morning. My son jumped into a big wet puddle and my normal reaction would have been "no, you'll get so dirty!". Instead I thought of you and Ty and smiled and said " Awesome jump...there's another one..so it again!"
    God bless you!

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  23. Hugs for you, Ty, on your birthday. Forever remembered.
    Much love & hugs, Judy

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  24. Hugs...we have been away for a few days but I thought of Ty on Saturday...we were camping and it was cold but the kids still managed to find a big muddy mess...at first I was worried and thinking it's too cold and all that -- but then I figured - what the heck -- look at those smiles. I will forever think of Ty in those moments...that is the gift he gave me. Will pray for all of you over this extra hard month.

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  25. Happy Belated birthday Ty. I shared your story with my sister Saturday while we were eating my birthday cheese cake from NY at my house in Mississippi. I had a good birthday but I guarantee yours was way Betts.

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  26. Happy birthday sweet angel

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  27. Happy Birthday Ty!!

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  28. Slow we paddle through the lake
    Straight to the very center
    Of the darkest water
    Where we can embrace the shadows on the surface
    The eyes that look up lifeless
    From our twins below

    And though your arms and legs are under
    Love will be the echo in your
    Ears when all is lost in plunder
    My love will be there still

    True its chilling to behold
    Up close we stumble backwards
    Laughing in our boat till
    The image sinks away to someplace far for certain
    A land of new suspension
    Where someday we must go

    And though your arms and legs are under
    Love will be the echo in your
    Ears when all is lost in plunder
    My love will be there still

    And though your arms and legs are under
    Love will be the echo in your
    Ears when all is lost in plunder
    My love will be there still



    Read more: Imperial Mammoth - Requiem On Water Lyrics | MetroLyrics

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  29. May you find peace Cindy. YOur love will be there still

    Happy bithday Ty

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  30. Been thinking about you all a lot, Cindy. I know this is just a tough time and I doubt that anytime soon it will get easier -- more just farther away. I pray for signs from Ty and lots of hugs from all around. Know that we remember all of you and hold you up even from a distance.

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