September 6, 2014

• Happy Birthday, Derrick

  This entire day I have been thinking of that sweet little 9 pound baby boy that came into our family on September 6, 1984! What a happy day that was! He got quite a big welcome from his parents, his big brother and all the grandparents and great grandparents. We chose Derrick's name because it ended in "Rick" like his dad and Patrick. We first heard it when Derrick Burrell mowed our yard during the time Rick was away at Camp Cherokee. We had moved to Cleveland, Tn. in May of 1984. Our church members welcomed us and also Derrick's arrival in a big way. I don't think I fixed any meals for two weeks. We were very thankful to Rick's parents who came and stayed with Patrick. Though he had stayed away from home many times, it was his first time to be home without us and that was very different for him.

  Derrick grew into such a cute toddler:
  

  He had a big curiosity about life and at times it got him into a bit of trouble. He was also a climber. I remember very well looking up one day while I was on the phone and finding him standing in the middle of our dining room table! Needless to say my phone conversations where not long at all during that time. Those were the days before mobile phones so I could not afford to be tied down to one stop and not seeing what he might be finding to "explore".

  He has the sweetest smile, don't you think?
  

  Derrick adjusted well to our move away to Cleveland and was happy both in Costa Rica and Mexico. He made friends in both places and was quite popular by the time his senior year came around. He was also playing bass guitar in a band made up of his friends who practiced at our house. ☺ Derrick was always very well like by his teachers, too.
  

  Derrick is certainly a young man that we are very, very proud of. He is a hard and dedicated worker. He does what it takes to get a job done. His employers have always had very wonderful things to say about him. We all love his dry sense of humor and he can make us laugh so hard. Derrick has a wonderful outlook on life. He doesn't sweat the small things. He respects people and shows that respect. He is willing to help anyone who needs it. He is a great brother to his siblings. He can be competitive but not obnoxiously so. Smart and talented - what more could a young man be???

  
  We surely have missed being with him today. We would love to celebrate these wonderful 30 years that God has blessed us with. Sending him tons of love across the miles and looking forward to the next time we will see him.

  • 6:48 pm
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