DAVID CARLTON GRAPER

Dearest David, Like others have said, September is such a hard time, and it's unfathomable that it's been 15 years. There has been so much happening since you've been gone, and yet it seems like just yesterday I called you to see what we were doing for dinner. The twins are turning 20 this year, Olivia is at USF (let's just not talk about that game) and Eli is at UF. John's kids are growing so fast too, Derek is 10 and Brooke is 6, and she's a chip off the ole block. You are so very...

David: I am sitting here crying with photos of you and Marc flying across the screen. No matter what you were told you had a very happy childhood. You were always laughing and loving on Sandy dog. You were so happy the Christmas we surprised you with Sandy. I have a new dog now. Her name is Cati and she is with me all the time. I think she speaks English. She always knows when I´m sad. She cuddles up with me so I can go to sleep. Marc´s girls are getting so big. Olivia has been accepted by...

My sweet David: You've been intensely "signaling" me these days. So many 9-11's showing up. I was at Publix this morning after going to our fabulous farmer's market here in Franklin, TN where I bought $9.11 worth of corn for my husband, David. I spent $91.11 at Publix and I started laughing a bit. When the clerk asked, I said, "Someone very special to me is trying to reach me through numbers". He looked confused. He's about 19; he knows very little about life. yet. Anyway, I have...

David: my heart breaks every day when I think of what a wonderful son you were. There are so many wonderful things we could do together. Marc´s girls are so cute and smart. They ask about you but we´re o waiting til there´re older to explain. Mike finally got married to a great woman, Kitty. You would get along great with her. Everything has changed for me. Your dad never recovered from your death. He ended it with Covid. Couldn´t beat it and died in `21. I hope you´ve run into and my...

Dearest David: When the calendar tells me that it´s September again, I start to hold my breath just a bit more each day until it´s 9/12 and then, I release the tension. I feel as though I´m bracing for impact. Perhaps that´s why you visit less and less each year. You, too, are letting go. I find myself looking forward to March 10th more and more each year. It´s a healthier anniversary even though Grampa Willis died on that day, your birthday. You didn´t see it as an honor as I did and...

Here we are again. Fully 13 years after your death. I´m amazed at the intensity of the grief that continues to linger. Isn´t it said the time heals all wounds? No. Not at all. I know that you are enjoying heaven and I love how you stop by and see me from time to time. You are loved and missed. Always know that. Aunt Claudia