Dear Gilberto:

It’s amazing how you still speak to my heart. I want you to know I will never forget you. I miss you. Thank you for almost eleven years of sharing your life with me. You were my friend for a fourth of my life. It’s been a year and eight months since you left to go home to be with God; quite an adjustment for all of us, your family and friends that are left here, who loved you. My Mom and sisters helped me with your quilt square. We tried to make it look classy; just like you. You left such an impression on so many peoples lives.

Michael was our dear loving son, who we loved very much and miss him so much. Michael was into racing his race car that he loved and Bass fishing was his sport. He had a dog named Bud that misses Michael.

Michael was an Eye and Tissue donor. Michael’s family and friends miss him so much;he was a good person and loved everybody. Wherever you are Michael, we hope you are happy and well. We love you always.

Mom and Dad.

The square I designed to honor the man I lost to heart disease bears his name and the all too short time he was with us.

His full name was Jerome Martin Chay, although everyone knew him as “Jerry”.

The patriotic heart represents his love of life and country.

He was a wonderful husband and devoted father.

My life was greater for loving him and will never be the same after loosing him. He was the love of my life.

Michael J. King was a musician from the age of eight when he was in third grade, interested in “The Youth Symphony” TV programs. He started with piano lessons, then was advised to study drums and became a percussionist; enlisted in the Navy as such for 16 years.

The quilt square is a picture of my daughter Kim. She was killed in a car accident October 24, 1993. She was 25. Kim was a poster model for Budweiser. She did two posters, and was due for a third, but she moved and wasn’t available. This was just a part-time job for her, but it was very exciting for us all. She was chosen out of 200 others that competed. I used the picture of her first poster for the square and because she loved and collected carousel horses, I added that picture to her square. I didn’t know how to make the square, so I turned to my best friend Jeanne.

What is the color of Love?

When I think of T.J. standing in front of the mirror when he was six combing his hair and putting stuff on it to make it stand up.

What is the color of Love?

When he came down the hill on his bike saying “Look Grandma, no hands”.

What is the color of Love?

On the back of Grandpa’s Honda with Grandpa’s big helmet on, with the sweetest smile I ever saw.

What is the color of Love?

When I caught him jumping on his bed!

What is the color of Love?

The reason I decorated my “Love Square” that way is that she loved horses, and her favorite race car driver was #24, Jeff Gordon. She loved to pick on me because I hated him, I like Dale Earnhardt Jr. She always said about Jeff Gordon “he’s the man; so sexy.”