CHERISH THE MOMENTS ♥♥♥ In Memory Of...

♥ Tyson ♥

♥July 15, 1988 ~ December 2, 2005♥

Today marks the three year anniversary since our beloved Tyson returned to live with His Father in Heaven. I wasn't sure I was even going to do this post, but then I realized since this blog is partly a journal for my family, I really needed to. I knew it would be a tough thing to do, but I actually found it therapeutic in many ways as well.

There was only ONE Tyson ever born on the face of this earth. He was very unique in so many ways! If asked to describe him in one word, most people would say "funny" or "humorous" or "witty". He always kept us laughing over something. He had a way of being funny without even trying. In third grade he had to write an epitaph. His read:

R.I.P.

Here lies Tyson who was a good friend.

He met his demise by looking at too many girls.

This was a common scene at our house. His pants were always falling off and it didn't bother him one bit. If they weren't completely off, they were on their way.


He had a great love for animals and little children and they were both very drawn to him. He could always be found with his little cousins and they loved to be around him. He couldn't get enough of his younger brothers when they were little babies. He always wanted to be holding or hugging them.

(All of the pictures are much better if you click to enlarge them)


Tyson had a rough start right from day one and spent a lot of time in and out of the hospital. He didn't let his health problems slow him down or keep him from living his short life to the fullest.


He was a fan of Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Batman, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and many other action heroes.


He had a very close relationship to each of his brothers and they were always best buds.

Tyson always had a twinkle in his eye. He was one of the most kind, caring, loving, and sensitive little guys that I have ever known. He always thought of others needs before his own even when he was not feeling well....which was a great deal of the time. Even at his sickest point, he would come into my room before he would go to bed each night and ask me if there was anything "I" needed. He was always a joy to be around. He would light up the room when he entered.


How he loved little babies...

There was never a dull moment with Tyson around. He was always coming up with something interesting to do to keep us amused. He definitely wasn't an angel at all times! After he passed away, his friend Matt told us how one of his favorite memories of Tyson was when they would be walking in a parking lot on their way into a store and Tyson would take the little yellow ribbon magnets that people had on their cars that said "Support our Troops" ... he would take them off one car and throw them onto another as he said, "That was his and now it's hers" or "That was theirs and now it's theirs" ~ that was just so Tyson. He was his own person. His trademark was wearing Hawaiian shirts even before they were popular. Sometimes he would wear them with clashing ties! There are not too many ties that go with Hawaiian shirts, but that didn't stop him from wearing them.

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Tyson loved people and they loved him. He had a lot of friends. The photo above (third row down - second over) was of him getting ready for his skit when he was running to be a class officer. He ate canned dog food as part of the skit! ☺ The entire skit was hilarious...no surprise. He won the election with the most votes and so was made Freshman Class President. It was no big deal to him. He served well, but didn't let it go to his head. He was a really picky eater and would have lived on Rice Krispies and Snicker bars if we let him.

Tyson loved to paintball, make his own movies, ride four wheelers, go camping, go to his grandpa's cabin in Wyoming, snowmobile, fish, water-ski, wave-run, to drive (even though he could barely see over the wheel and was known by name by all the law enforcement officers in our city because he was pulled over so often for appearing underage!), hang out with his buds, watch movies, draw (he was an amazing artist), and water-color (he did that so me and him could spend more time together). He really wanted me to teach him how to sew when he was about 10. I did and he made a bunch of flannel PJ pants and other things. He was very creative and was always coming up with something to make or create. He loved fireworks...especially the illegal ones. Him and his friends blew up an old toilet (and videotaped it) in his friend's backyard (the Bishop's house!) when they were supposed to be in Sunday School. They also blew a hole in solid ice at the frog pond. He had a little bit of pyro in him!

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Tyson loved the ocean and the beach. We were so fortunate to be able to take all the boys to Hawaii in 2003. It was the greatest trip for our family and Tyson couldn't get enough of the ocean.
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Skyler was serving a two year mission for our church when Tyson passed away. Little did I know that this photo above (third row down, second one over) taken at the MTC would be the last one of them together. Tyson told his Dad once that he wasn't afraid to die. He then said, "I'm afraid of sharks, but not afraid to die."☺

The third photo on the top....↓ is a decorative mushroom covered with a towel (NOT what it looks like!) though THAT is what they were wanting it to look like!

He was always grateful for every act of kindness shown to him. He would always say thank you to the nurses, doctors, RT's, and even phlebotomists who inflicted pain! He had a reputation for being the most polite patient in the hospital, but when armed with a either a 100 cc syringe full of water, silly string, ice bullet in a straw, or some other surprise, he was ruthless! Most of them got to know him pretty well and said he was their all time favorite patient. He called himself "The King" because he knew when he was in the hospital he could eat anything he wanted whenever he wanted. We once smuggled in his bunny Bandit for a visit at Tyson's request. He kept him hid under his covers and no one was the wiser. The most amazing thing about Tyson was even though he went through so much and was really sick so often, he NEVER complained. And I mean NEVER. I am constantly amazed that he was able to do that. He was always okay with whatever needed to be done no matter how much pain was involved and had the most incredible attitude through it all. What an example he was for us all.

I have always had my boy's write a FAVORITES list in their journals periodically. The last one Tyson wrote had some great insights.

Greatest physical attribute: I'm bigger than a midget

Worst physical attribute: I'm almost as small as a midget

Things I miss about Sky: Our drives

Greatest talent: Picking up ladies

Favorite thing about home: It's home

Favorite thing about the hospital: Hah hah funny

Favorite thing about school: Social life

Favorite thing about Skyler: He understands

Favorite thing about Bryce: He's a funny kid

Favorite thing about about Taylor: He's very nice

Favorite thing about McKay: He makes me smile

Favorite thing about Mom: She does so much and she loves me

Favorite thing about Dad: He always know what to do and he loves me

Favorite thing about Grammy: She's a cool Grandma

Favorite thing about Grampy: He's funny

Favorite thing about Grandma Jo: Cookies

Favorite thing about Grandpa Jo: He loves me

Favorite thing about Bandit: He makes me happy

Talent I wish I had: Athletic

Quality I admire most in others: Understanding

Favorite weather: 72 degrees, warm wind, sun out

The thing that makes me happiest: When my mom and dad are happy

Greatest regret: He left this one blank...that says a lot.

I am most thankful for: Medicine

The above is the yearbook page in his memory. I wrote the poem in hopes it would comfort his friends.

His brother Skyler wrote this amazing tribute as part of a letter he sent to be read at the funeral.

(Click to read)

Words cannot convey how much we love and how much we miss this amazing young man. He was such a bright light in our lives and though he is now gone from us for now, his spirit and memory will always remain deep in our hearts. He taught us so many things, the least of which is to cherish the moments we have with those we love. I am so grateful that we did that very thing and we have no regrets. I am also so very grateful that we got to spend the time we did with him. I will treasure and cherish each and every one of those moments of that 17 years I was able to spend with such a noble and amazing young man I was fortunate enough to call my son. I am most grateful for the gospel plan and the unwavering faith and knowledge I have that we will one day be re-united. What a grand blessing it is to be able to know I will one day see him again.

Be still and know that I am God...

♥We love you Squirt♥