DIllon is a constant reminder of things good to me. So when I think of him as I often do, with the sadness, I feel a certain joy as well. I wrote a poem on the anniversary of the accident and laminated it and attached to a pale yellow pot filled with white and purple flowers and put it on Sunset near the tree on July 6th, 2008. Incredibly, somebody lifted it because it was gone within a week, before Harriet, Steven and Taylor returned from their trip. I laugh about it because I think that is what Dillon would do. Dillon was # 21 on the club soccer team I managed for 5 years and friends of my sons, Keegan and Devin Dollinger. Here is the poem that was attached to the pot.

# 21

I see your hands and your smile
And I know hope and dreams live

I hear your sincere and caring voice
And I know lives can still be saved

I touch the shirt your wore
And know there will be laughter again

I do feel tears and sadness
Silently fighting reality
saying no, no no.

But I smell the summer flowers
and remember
the joy that you were
a living, breathing, sign
that we can be better,
we can make a difference!

Bella Flaherty
July 6th 2008