Archive for year: 2015

Submitted by: Barb Jennes
Born: 1988
Died: 2014
My Tribute: Adam was an incredible musician and fine human being. He and my daughter were very much in love, but they definitely saw the best and the worst of each other. Adam’s family set off fireworks every year on Christmas Day. I saw a video of this year’s display posted on his sister’s Facebook page and was inspired to write this poem:

Remembering Adam, After Watching the Fireworks

As a girl upon a swing
I’d point my scuffed toes to the sky,
stretching higher with each try,
and strain to slip the greedy cling
of Earth, escape its grasp and fling
my aching soul to some high home
where none but kindred spirits roam.

Even now, I’ve had to face,
I feel the longing in my toes
as bleakly now as long ago
when heaven meant a white-wrapped place
like cotton. Cloaked in its embrace
I’d peer o’er cloud cliffs, fearless though,
and jeer at sorrows left below.

Today they lit the fireworks
and watched the blazing bullets blast
a path through darkness, stopped at last
by dark hands that, like jailers, lurk
to snatch back those who strive to shirk
these Earthly bonds, to soar beyond
where small feet once schemed to abscond.

And yet I saw in this attack
that when they reached their apogee,
exploding in bright majesty,
only fractions drifted back
and what those ashes clearly lacked
was the thing that seemed to cease –
the glimm’ring essence, now released.

Have you found it there with you,
where all things kindred, kindly, go?
Where the swinging girl below
once set her target, vast and blue?
Does the lightning, now renewed,
shine its brightness in your sphere
while only ashes linger here?

And this I wonder: is she there –
the shadow of a world-shy child
who, seeking solace, often whiled
her daytime circumscribing air
while yearning for a lesser care?
For this I know, without a doubt,
A part of her has flickered out.

Yes, she walks there with you, I know,
Where only kindly kindred go.

Submitted by: Girlfriend
Born: 1988
Died: 2014
My Tribute: For my sweet Ian whom passed away from overdose.. Although you struggled so hard, you fought even harder. I miss you everyday and I love you dearly. I’m struggling to understand that you are gone and how it came to this. But I cherish what we had even more.. Your sweet smile, kind heart and loving soul that you showed me for 4 years are what I hold close to me. I hate seeing your family going through such heartache.. Always there for them. We hold each other close. And keep you close to us.

Submitted by: Kate, his mother
Born: 1993
Died: 2014
My Tribute: Our community has tragically lost a valued member of the Allen family of Lafayette. We will never know the full magnitude of our loss, as Kieran never reached his adult potential. We cherish 20 years of happy memories with Kieran.

Kieran was born an 11-pound, beautiful baby with gorgeous blue eyes. He was full of life, energy, and mischief. His brother, Patrick, was his best friend from the day he born, only 14 months apart. Kieran was raised by his close-knit extended family, and was blessed to have Julia in his life, his high-school sweetheart and the love of his life. Colter was Kieran’s best friend, and many high school buddies and family friends mourn his loss.

Kieran was quiet, sweet, sensitive, deep-thinking, intelligent, strong-willed, and sharp-witted. He was a gifted artist, self-taught guitar player, and an articulate writer. We cherish his many clay figures, sketches, paintings, poems, and songs. He loved to cook; his favorite recipe being macaroni and cheese, which he made from scratch, served with chocolate milk. We have many fond memories of Kieran at Stinson Beach, which was his favorite place on earth.

Kieran fought very hard to overcome his disabilities and addictions. As a family, we are heartbroken at his tragic loss. We learned unconditional love, patience, and compassion from Kieran, and we are grateful to have had him in our lives.

He is buried beside his father at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California.

RIP, Kieran.

Submitted by: June Mcdermottt
Born: 1984
Died: 2014
My Tribute: My son William died of an overdose 7/31/14 , he had been clean for 2 months. He left behind a 1 yr old son, still can’t believe he’s gone. Like so many others our hearts and family are broken. Miss you so much William! Love mom