Tanner Osborn

I heard of TJ's horrible death many years ago while I was away at school. I met TJ my freshmen year at DMHS. It's been 12 years or so and I am finally finding some answers. I have asked our mutual friends in the past, they had no specifics, I've GOOGLED a ton of times and repeatedly came up empty. I am so happy, that on this day, I was able to find something.

TJ was a very good friend to me as he was many others. I am so blessed to have been touched by his infectious smile and...

I miss you so much each and every day! I miss all the children who have come to me and gone. some more than once.

Yesterday in Chicago we burried a Firefighter, I could not help but to weep for him mom. I wrote to her and told her that it may not seem possible but one day she will be able to breath again. It's been 5 years and I can just again breath. Still many days it is racked with sobs but not every day now.
I just had my 50th birthday and Tanner found a way into my day in a big way! I spent part of the day standing with the Governor of Illinois as he signed into law very important...

Bronwyn,
Such a grand tribute story to TJ's memory.
And I believe that what you said about Kathie visiting this site does truly set off a welcome reminder. It actually feels BETTER knowing we all SHARE the feelings that go with the loss...and at the same time, on the same site. It also brings consolation just knowing Tanner's SPirit is with us always..as is Jayson's. Just yesterday, I held a few of the juniper berries I took from the site of Jayson's body's resting place. I came...

Dear Kathy, family, and friends, I may know why you went to Tanner's Memorial site today . . . so that those of us connected would receive an e-mail that there was a new entry. I went to the site immediately and read some of the entries. I realized that I have not entered a note since a year and a half ago. Please know that this does not mean that I don't think about Tanner alot. I think of Tanner everytime I look at his pictures in my home: one special picture in a frame of shells from Rocky...

I don't know what made me go to this site again today but I just come here sometimes to read all that has been said over the last three years, all the wonderful words that express what my son meant to all of you. I hope for all a Happy New Year. God Bless you Tanner, I miss you each and every day. Love Mom.

I'm here to increase the 'group' of sad days that fall in the month of June. Today is TJ's unknown Grandfather's birthday (on his mother's side.) Add to that the shocking fact that the same Grandfather is another part of Kathie's losses around this same date. Artherial sclerosis (which they can now FIX) took him from this earth very suddenly, and at the young age of 43. Kathie was almost 10. Every so many years, his (Jack FitzGibbon's) birthday would fall on Father's Day. This is one of those...

What a sad and lonely group days in the year this is...the days before, the day of, the after math. It feels somewhat like a hurricane. You try and prepare yourself to be completely knocked over and destroyed only to rebuild and do it all over again. I miss TJ, I miss him a lot... I would give anything to hear him say the Homer Simpson doh! or talk in that silly little boy voice. The one where he lowers his head and looks out from under his big beautiful eyes and you know your going to agree...

Yes, another year went by without Tanner. His pictures are all over my house and it feels like he's here somewhere. I guess he is in a way. I know that Tanner is safe in Heaven. It is just surreal, I see little tow heads and I want to touch their hair, they remind me of TJ. When I stop to think about it, there are many things that Tanner could be doing for me. He could go with us to the Beeline Highway and pick up trash in tribute to my son, Jayson. He could hang out with his cousin, Lindsey,...