A sad day not only for David's family and friends but for Hoya lovers across the world! I have through the years ordered a few times in group orders to David and also emailed him with questions about this Hoya or that one. David always emailed back with gorgeous pictures and an in depth answer to my question. Possibly after grieving Iris Marie will feel like continuing with their Hoya dreams.,,,,Debbie

Marie, Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I have been doing some research on so good books to read, thank you for the advice. I also called my insurance company today to get the name of a good therapist, I am hoping that will help. I do have 2 sisters, 3 sons and several very close cousins. I just feel so bad calling them and crying all the time. I know they are all there for me as I am for them but like I said I hate getting them upset by hearing me upset. Pictures? I think you mean as in my family that passed? If so yes I have thousands. The only problem I am having is I had to hide all of the pictures as I cannot look at any of them. I feel so bad for doing that, it just hurts so bad to see them. I think a journal would be a good idea thank you for that suggestion. It was so odd that you said "I saw a pretty butterfly", I say this because a few days after my mom passed away I asked her to please come and visit me, I knew that she loved butterflies so I asked her if she could come visit me as a butterfly. I cannot tell you how many times I have been out on my deck or any place where I was thinking or crying about my Mom when out of nowhere a beautiful butterfly appears! I know that sounds crazy but it helps me to think my mom is around me. It does look like I am going to be going through a second divorce, I hate to say that because I am so against them, I just dont know what other choice I have. I have a 2 year old granddaughter and 2 year old grandson that have become my whole world, I dont mind being alone and watching them grow to be wonderful people. Its also interesting that you talked about volunteer work as I have been doing some research for my area on volunteer work, I am hoping that maybe I can keep my mind busy and at the same time help someone else. I just wish I knew how long it will take until I can get by just one day without crying for my family that has passed. I love them all dearly but like I said for some reason when my mom passed I feel like my heart just shattered. Thank you again for your kindness and good advice. I will update on this forum from time to time to let everyone know how I am doing. I was reading other stories this evening and my heart goes out to everyone who is going through the same thing. I tried to write to a few but just as I started the tears started. Just please anyone who knows this feeling or who has lost a loved one, I am thinking of you and understand how bad it hurts. Thank you again... have a wonderful week. Lorene

Thanks again to all. Rob333 spoke of the wonder in his eyes. That is pretty much true. Several people spoke at the remembrance gathering about how he always approached life with an almost-childlike sense of wonder. That was part of why all the grandkids loved him so. My sister-in-law told a story of how at the end of a hike she saw her daughter placing several rocks on the floor of the car and said you can't bring all those rocks home, and her daughter pointed at the floor of the car where my father was sitting and said, "But grandpa has just as many." :-) Also in the last few days at the hospital he would tell of a fascinating documentary he had just seen about monarch butterflies. Or remember various interesting rocks he had found over time: One that might be a dinosaur tooth, one that could be a stegosaurus back plate, another that has a interesting artery-like branching structure in it. Or remember a motorized bicycle he built at age 20 and describe it in enough detail that I think I could build one from his description. I'm not sure he's made it into heaven. Likely he will have got as far as the gates, noticed that they are uneven, that they don't latch smoothly, and that one of the hinges squeaks slightly, and will have set to work to fix them. And right now the gates are off their hinges, leaning against the wall, the latch is dismantled in a box nearby. Meanwhile he's designing a counterweight system to make them easier to move, and he's waiting for a 410 stainless steel rod and several top grade stainless tapered roller bearings he ordered to fashion a stronger sag-proof hinge that will work without squeaking and last for eternity. This could take a while. :-) This post was edited by bob_cville on Thu, May 22, 14 at 23:19

I don't agree with Joe Biden on many things, but I have always felt that he was a good man. And I have always been impressed by the fact that he raised those two boys, despite the long hours his job demanded (and the long commute times). I can't begin to imagine the pain he is feeling right now. My heart goes out to him and his family...and especially to Beau's children.