AUDRA

This is a scrap-book that we can share with Chris's family and each other. If you have any memories that you would like to share about Chris, stories, jokes, any thoughts please feel free to write. Anything at all. The first time you met him. A jump you did with him. A beer drinking story. etc.... A reminder, the memorial is March 9th. fly free audra

I AM SORRY. THE DATE IS MARCH 9TH. SAFETY DAY AT CROSSKEYS. MARCH 9TH. thanks audra

This Sunday, March 3rd. We will be getting together for a memorial for our brother skydiver Chris. It will be at Crosskeys Drop zone in Williamstown New Jersey. Everyone is welcome. We will do jumps in memory. We will be there for each other to hug and remember and whatever we need to do. His parents and family are trying to make arrangments to be there. Please bring copies of any pictures or video or stories you have of Chris. We are trying to put something together for his parents. thanks audra

Kelly, I know exactly what you mean. As we were driving down to Pittsburgh we were all sad and quiet and not knowing what to expect from the family. We just knew we HAD to be there. But when we entered the room, there was skydiving pictures of Chris everywhere. He was smiling in each and every one. The canopy drapped across Chris and the casket was just breathtaking. Stacey, Thura and I held hands as we approached the family. Once we introduced ourselves to the family, they were consoling us.??? They asked alot of questions and seemed content knowing we were with him when he died. When I saw the letter I had wrote at the funeral parlor, It just, I cant even explain it. His sister said it just summed every thing up. I wrote from the heart what I felt and if that gave anybody, especially someone in his family some comfort, wonderful. I am glad that I was able in some way to give some comfort back to the family that gave me comfort and compassion and let me say goodbye to my friend. This was unlike any other wake I had ever attended. In the evening session there was about 10 of us jumpers there and we did a group hug which was like a huddle, we laughed we cried and we said that Chris was probably laughing at us all dressed up for him. that maybe we should have come in our freefly pants and hopped on into the room like a dirt dive. we laughed and cried again, just all huddled together forgetting for a moment that there was other people in the room. And, speaking for myself in all my life in all circles of friends, we, us skydivers have this bond this unspoken connection that ITS ALL GOOD. On the way home the drive was completly different. We were able to speak without tears. It was like we were finally able to deal with the loss of our friend, brother and fellow skydiver. I will forever be greatfull to his family for giving that to me. It was their warmth, their spirit, their strength. I know he will never be forgotten. There is just too many people who loved and cared about him. goodbye for now my friend. we will meet again. audra