A Beautiful Last Memory of Buster and Lou

The day before the crash, March 18th, I was driving out of my neighborhood, when I saw Buster and Eloise hop a fence and run joyfully after each other. It felt like a scene out of the Sound of Music. The sun was shining. Everything was green, and bursting with the colors and sounds of spring. We had held PBL that day and it had been a good but full day.  Buster and Eloise had both gotten permission from Rivka and I to go for a run after PBL was over, and that's exactly where I ran into them, on their run.  The spot where I found them is on the south side of 186th just before you go up the hill.  On the other side of the street (north side) is Jessie Woodwards house. She is a stranger who plants the most beautiful flowers in a garden bed facing the street.  After the crash I told Rivka the beautiful memory I had of the two of our kids running together that day in the sunshine, and I told her that's how I still like to envision them- full of laughter, friendship, and life, running in the sunshine.  Sometimes Rivka would go to that spot and park and have a good cry as she thought of what once took place right there.  One day, she decided to write the woman in the house with the beautiful flowers a note to tell her the story, and thank her for planting such beautiful flowers that helped bring Rivka up and out of her sorrows.  After leaving said note here was the reply Rivka received from Jessie Woodward, a complete stranger.  

Jessie Woodward

OCT 30 AT 9:22 AM

To my sister in Christ- Rivka

Hello- You dropped a handwritten note off at my house last week and you may not know this but to me it truly was a sign from God. There isn't a week that goes by that I don't find myself thinking of you and your family's heartbreaking loss.

A few hours before your note arrived, I was crying and talking to my husband...saying that no parent should ever have to think about their own child's mortality. It's not the normal cycle of life. My son is very ill and for the third time in my life, I am facing a future that may not include him. You see, my son has brain cancer. My beautiful son is 22 years old and has had three brain surgeries. He was stable and considered to be in great health until last month. He recently had a setback, and the cancer symptoms are back -again. My family and I are facing a heartbreaking challenge and while I would never dare to compare it to your loss, your thoughtful note held a message that I desperately needed to read.

Your message of love, honor, and thanks for bringing joy into the world was the message I needed to hear that very night. You don't know how I cried over the loss of your dear friend, your kind hearted daughter and her friends also. *u have no idea how hard I cried reading your note. It

was the message I needed to hear that very night. You don't know how l cried over the loss of your dear friend, your kindhearted daughter and her friends and you have no idea how hard I cried reading your sweet letter. The timing of your letter feels like a message from God about hope and love.

As parents we try and protect our children from as much as we can, but the sad truth is we cannot fully protect them, and we must trust in God to show us the way - when all hope feels lost- that is when God is beside us- holding our hands and comforting us as much as possible. I pray everyday for both my son's health and for the strength to be strong for my son as he faces a hard battle. I pray for you and your family.

I pray you keep the joy and love in your heart from memories old and new- Life is indeed too short not to share the message of hope, thanks and love we have for ourselves and our fellowman.

With your permission, I will plant a very special flower for your daughters and their friends in the spring- and a rose for you.

Always,

Jessie Woodward

MAR 15 AT 11:00 AM

The flower beds are all clear and the first week of April. We will plant these flowers in memorial of your best friend, Buster Brown, and your two beautiful daughters

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response to my message... My son's name is Stephen