You are always on my mind

The thought of you is never far from my mind. Constantly I see things that remind me of you.  

Love you, John Raposo

The Meaning of Christmas

The true meaning of Christmas is not the giving or receiving of gifts but the time spent with loved ones.  I can remember Christmas Eve being such a special time for us during our youth, going to midnight mass before coming home to feast on a meal together.  To  our later years when we would gather to wait for the hour of midnight to celebrate in cheer and be the first to say "Merry Christmas" to each other.  It saddens me so much this year that all I could do for you was place a wreath at the place where you took your last breath. It is so disheartening to think you are no longer with us here to share in all the joy and happiness the holiday season is supposed to bring.  For all the Christmas' in the future will not hold the same energy as when you were there to celebrate it with us.  You are greatly missed John.

Flowers for John Raposo

Because you loved flowers

 

I miss you everyday

It’s been four months since you were taken away from us. Our hearts are heavy with grief and it seems that the pain will never subside.  Words could never describe how each and every day there are reminders of you in this world - you are missed - your smile, your love and your presence.

My brother John was always put others before himself.  The story below was published in The Toronto Star newspaper on June 25 2012, one week after his murder.  This story represented not only the loss of my brother but the loss of someone in the world who in any situation always put others before himself.  I miss him lots and there will never be anyone in the world who can take his place.  Ice cream will never taste the same.