Kirk Robert Skinner

Your birthday is coming up and the weight of it has taken its toll on me. The "what ifs" that usually come and go have grown louder in these weeks leading up to the day. It is another reminder that grief has no timeline. It arrives when it chooses and stays as long as it needs. I wish I could celebrate your life the way we are supposed to, but the truth is I cannot. I cannot even recall how we celebrated before you were gone, and that absence feels like a wound that never heals. Birthdays on...

Daddy,

The holidays are right around the corner and this is by far the hardest year without you. Twenty years have gone and i am grieving the loss of your memories. I have forgotten what the holidays felt like with your warmth. This year has been so cold to me.
I come to this page every so often to read through the memories of others, hoping that one day my memories of you will flood back to me.

I miss you like crazy.

Daddy,
I've missed you a whole lot since you passed away. I don't go a single day without thinking about you and get teary eyed. I started basket-ball just a little while after your death. Our name is called the "Bobcats." We each have nicknames on the team, like Burn, Smirf, Hoop Dog, and Temper. But they nick-named me Speedy (my name says it all)!! Mommy says that you wanted to take me to my first practie...even though your body wasn't going to be there, I know you were. And when...

High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious,...

My true Love, my best friend,
My heart longs for you daily. The memory of your smile and "larger than life" personality keeps me going each moment. You loved me even when I was unloveable and needed you the most. You became the husband and father I prayed you would be. Now you are not with me, but you're not gone; you are home, preparing a place for me. I feel you with me always, and I long to be with you again. I will be patient, my love, for I know the best is yet to come, as the...

The first moment I met Kirk I was intimidated-- by his physical stature and spiritual presence. His smile lit up a room, his laugh infectious. I couldn't help but think he knew a lot about all things.
I'm sure he never knew how much I longed for his approval. How much I needed to hear from him that I was the right one for his oldest son Robert. This past year I started to feel the acceptance from Kirk I so longed for. Michelle and Kirk introduced Robert and me to the most amazing...

I will never forget the times Kirk and I spent together when we were growing up, especially in high school! He was like a brother to me - always looking out for me! I didn't get to spend a lot of time with him as we grew older but I loved him all the same. I know that I will one day see him again and until then I pray that you, his family and friends, will be comforted and receive the strength you need from our heavenly Father. Love to you all --- Sandi, Daryl, Lisa and Julie Strohmeier

We were so sorry to hear of Kirks death but grateful to know that Jesus is his Savior. I trust that Jesus will provide you all with what you need to get through this difficult time as you seek His face. Your all in our thoughts and prayers. Cherishing the memories,
knowing we'll see him again, Carol & Norm Williams (Kirks cousin)