PRESTON JACK DRUMMOND

Preston's Legacy ~SUDC Awareness~

It is hard to write Preston's legacy. He is to young really if you go by the standard definition of legacy. So I will have to work on this, he is my legacy along with Dakota and Alivia. These three beautiful children are the best thing I ever created. However, I will create Preston's Legacy as I spread awareness of SUDC and how my baby boy became an Angel. Preston's legacy is not property nor money it is memory, awareness, love, joy and happiness. Our life has forever been changed and we will never be able to go back to what it was. How wonderful it was, how lucky we were and how very blessed it was. Don't get me wrong we are still blessed but it isn't the same with out our little man, our sweet baby boy. Preston will live on in his big brother and little sister they will continue his legacy as they create their own.

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~I have added various poems that put our thoughts and feelings into words.  Please stop in His Legacy to read them~

My dear friend Melodi heard this song and thought of me and Preston. It is beautiful thank you.

Life Ain't Always Beautiful
by Gary Allan
Life ain't always beautiful
Sometimes it's just plain hard.
Life can knock you down,
It can break your heart.
Life ain't always beautiful:
You think you're on your way.
And it's just a dead end road,
At the end of the day.

But the struggles make you stronger,
And the changes make you wise.
And happiness has it's own way,
Of takin' it's sweet time.

No, life aint always beautiful.
Tears will fall sometimes.
Life aint always beautiful,
But it's a beautiful ride.
Life aint always beautiful:
Some days, I miss your smile.
I get tired of walkin' all
These lonely miles.
And I wish for just one minute,
I could see your pretty face.
Guess I can dream,
But life dont work that way.

But the struggles make me stronger,
And the changes make me wise.
And happiness has it's own way,
Of takin' it's sweet time.

No, life aint always beautiful.
But I know I'll be fine.
Hey, life ain't always beautiful,
But it's a beautiful ride.
What a beautiful ride.

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
Wear the pain like a heavy coat
I feel you everywhere I go
See your smile, I see your face
I hear you laughing in the rain
Still can't believe your gone

(Chorus:)
It ain't fair you died to young
Like a story that had just begun
But death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing, no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today

Would you see the world
Would you chase your dreams
Settle down with a family
I wonder what would you name your babies
Someday's the sky's so blue
I feel like I can talk to you
And I know it might sound crazy

It ain't fair you died to young
Like a story that had just begun
But death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing, no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today

Today
Today
Today

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
I wear the pain like a heavy coat
The only thing that gives me hope
Is I know, I'll see you again someday

Someday, someday

Finding Nemo was one of Preston's fave. movies. In fact it was the last one we watched together the Sunday before he passed away. The is one of many memories I cherish. I can't help but smile and think of him sitting so close to me on the couch with his big brother on the other side of him and just in awe of all the colors.

~Like a Fluttering Butterfly~ 

Like a Fluttering Butterfly

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A Butterfly is a messenger, sent from above,
To share Heaven's beauty, and show God's love.

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It represents how delicate, our lives can be,
One moment you are here, then an Angel you'll see.

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God send His best, to give us the news,
Our time is up, but He did not choose.

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Like the Butterfly, we are born, and set free,
To share God's gift, in the great human sea.

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We grow with guidance, from our parent's care,
Each new step forward, gives them a scare!

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Sometimes we age, for decades we're here,
Some of us don't make it, to the very first year.

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But in our time on Earth, we leave our own mark,
If you mention our name, it kindles a spark.

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Our image and smiles, appear as a thought,
Our memories and deeds, and the battles we fought.

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Tears come forth, of both great sadness and much joy,
As we remember the precious girl, or the darling boy.

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When you see a Butterfly, take a moment to gaze,
At the beauty before you, it will truly amaze!

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And remember how delicate, a life can be,
Don't waste a moment, is my heartfelt plea.

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For our loved ones can leave us, at any time,
Like a fluttering Butterfly, on a Heavenly climb!

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~Created In Memory of Jessica Lyn Bryl
January 19, 1977 - April 3, 2000
By Jessica's father - Dan Bryl

Love Never Goes Away

"Why does it hurt so much? Why is this grief so incapacitating? If
only the hurt weren't so crushing." Sound familiar? All of us have
known hurts before, but none of our previous "ouches" can compare
with the hurt we now feel. Nothing can touch the pain of burying a
child.

Yet, most of us have discovered that the sun still comes up. We still
have to function. We did not die when our child did, even though we
wished we could have. So.we are stuck with this pain, this grief, and
what do we do with it? Surely we can't live like THIS forever!

There are no magic formulas for surviving grief. There are a few
commonly recognized patterns for grief, but even those are only guide-
lines. What we do know is that the emptiness will never go away. It
will become tolerable and livable. some day.

TIME.the longest word in our grief. We used to measure TIME by the
steps of our child.the first word, first tooth, first date, first
car.now we don't have that measure anymore. All we have is TIME, and
it only seems to make the hurt worse.

So what do we do? Give ourselves TIME.to hurt, to grieve, to cry.
TIME to choke, to scream. TIME to be "crazy" and TIME to remember.

Be nice to yourself! Don't measure your progress against anyone
else's. Be your own timekeeper.

Don't push. Eventually you will find the hours and days of grief have
turned to minutes and their moments. but don't expect them to go
away. We will always hurt. You don't get over grief.it only becomes
tolerable and livable.

Change your focus a bit. Instead of dwelling on how much you lost -
try thinking the good memories come over you as easily as the awful
ones do. We didn't lose our child.HE/SHE DIED. We didn't lose the
love that flowed between us.it still flows, but differently now.

Does it help to know that if we didn't love so very much, it would not
hurt so badly? Grief is the price we pay for love. And as much as it
hurts, I'm very, very glad I loved.

Don't let death cast ugly shadows, but rather warm memories of loving
times you shared. Even though death comes, LOVE NEVER GOES AWAY!

-Darcie D. Sims, Ph.D.
Wenatchee, WA

Bringing light to the grieving this holiday

Those who have lost loved ones share stories and offer comfort during a candlelight ceremony.

12/12/05
By Bucky Chapman, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer

Six-year-old Dakota Littlejohn of Temple lights a candle for his younger brother Preston Drummond on Sunday. Ken Caruthers / RN-T

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Friends and family drew together Sunday night in Rome to light candles in memory of lost loved ones and to share stories of living with and surviving grief.

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The Rome chapter of the Northwest Georgia Compassionate Friends held its eighth annual Candle Light Memorial Ceremony at 7 p.m. at Heritage Hall in observance of National Children’s Memorial Day.

The group — which has more than 200 members, according to chapter leader Sandra Stinson — helps individuals deal with the loss of someone close.

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“It’s a great chance to share your grief with others,” Stinson said.

Stinson’s loss of her 18-year-old daughter Misty Stockton in 1997 motivated her to join The Compassionate Friends organization. “It’s designed as a memorial to recognize a child or a loved one and not just to grieve,” Stinson said.

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The candlelight ceremony was a first-time event for Rome’s Alane Evans, who came to honor her son, Bradley Sharp, who passed away at age 19 last December.

“At the meetings you can let a lot out,” said Evans. “There’s a definite closeness to them, and they understand the anger and the tears.”

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It was also a first time event for the Rev. Gary Graves of Rome, who spoke at the ceremony about the loss of his 28-year-old daughter Michele last April.

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“It helped me to share with people and to hear from others who are where I am now,” he said. “It’s more than just a self-help group.”

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Mattie Sams, also of Rome, said she might not have survived without the organization’s help.

Sams lost her grandson Brandon Hatcher about two years ago and has been part of the group for eight months. “Everyone here knows what we’re going through, and it’s nice to have this opportunity and closeness,” Sams said.

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People interested in The Compassionate Friends should call Stinson at 706-235-6108 or visit the meetings at Redmond Regional Medical Center classroom B at 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month.

~To my baby boy, Preston~

Forever
(by Dawn Glenton)

Forever I will miss you, forever I will cry,
Why did you have to leave this earth
And gain your wings to fly?
You know I loved you dearly,
More than anyone could know,
Why did you have to leave so soon
Why did you have to go?
My heart down here is broken,
And it can never mend,
Forever I protected you,
Until the very end.
I pray to God for answers,
I talk to him each day,
I hope that you can hear me Lord
As on bended kness I pray.
Take good care of my child up there,
He was much wanted here,
Wrap your arms around him please
And tell him I still care,
Let him know I love him so
And will forever more.
Keep him protected, safe and warm
And wrapped in love so pure.

Sweet Dreams

(by Dawn Glenton)

Sweet dreams are all I have of you, they're all you left behind,
Those cherished, lovely memories, never again to find.
On earth you were so wonderful, no child could I compare
To all the love you gave to me, you were so meek, so rare.
Sweet dreams they keep me going through the long and lonely night,
How I wish that I could hug you here and squeeze you oh so tight.
If I could walk to Heaven dear, to see you every day,
Just know I'd never want to leave, I know I'd long to stay.
We parted here on earth my child, but God's will shall be done,
Then dreams will be reality for once more we'll be one.
I love you for eternity, forever and some more,
Because you were the sweetest child, the kindest and most pure.
If Heaven's full of Angels, like you were here on earth,
I thank the Lord for lending you, for giving me your birth,
One day my child I'll see you there, so please look out for me,
You'll see my smile so wide before you see my spirit free.
God takes the sweetest Angels first, this we know is true,
For He came here and looked around, my darling, He chose you!

~Poems from Preston~

Hi Mommy

It's me, your little Angel
Just checking in with you.
I know you're sad
because I'm gone,
and Mommy I'm sad too.

It's beautiful here,
wherever I am,
there's such a lovely view.
But mostly when I'm sitting here
I'm looking down at you.

I see all your feelings,
everyday when I look down,
I love to see you smile
and I know sometimes you frown

But guess what?
I have a job to do.
God saved it for your little boy.
I get to watch over you
and protect you from the world.

So though you cannot see me
and I know it's hard on you,
You'll surely see the benefits
of the job God has me do.

I'm Everyplace

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I'M EVERYPLACE Mum & dad don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see
I'm right by your side each night and day
And within your heart I long to stay
My body is gone but I'm always near
I'm everything you feel, see or hear
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
As long as you keep me alive in your heart
I'll never wander out of your sight
I'm the brightest star on a summer night
I'll never be beyond your reach
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach
I'm the colourful leaves when fall comes around
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond
The clear cool water in a quiet pond
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in spring
The first warm raindrop that April will bring
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine
And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine
When you start thinking there's no one to love you
You can talk to me through the Lord above you
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees
And you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face
Just look for me,
I'm everyplace.

Please Dont Cry

(by Dawn Glenton)

Please don't sit round my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
What makes you think that I would leave?
I'm with you mum, so please don't grieve.
Our bond on earth was much too strong,
Our love will carry on and on...
I'm with you as you go to bed,
I plant sweet kisses on your head.
I'm in the wind, the rain, the snow,
I'm with you everywhere you go.
Please don't cry mummy, can't you see?
I'm safe my spirit soars, I'm free.

A Mother's Grief

(by Dawn Glenton)

She carries such a heavy heart, her tears will often flow,
Seems everyone's avoiding her, seems no-one wants to know!
Her grief she carries all alone, nobody seems to care,
Or help her ease this burden, this burden she must bear.
Her baby has just left her, but where, where did he go?
Why did he have to leave so soon, and will she ever know?
A mother's grief's a lonely path, she only wants her child,
For other's understanding, their love, if only mild!
To talk of her lost baby, acknowledge her real pain,
To tell her life will soon be bright, she'll see her child again,
For he has gone to Heaven, an Angel up above,
Where there's no tears or dying, just great eternal love.
Try understand this mother's grief, praise God it was not you
That lost your precious, wanted child, for he was wanted too!

A Million Times

You never said I'm leaving
You never said good-bye
You were gone before I knew it
And only God knew why

A million times we've needed you,
A million times we've cried.
If love alone could've saved you,
You never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
No one else will ever fill.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
Part of us went with you,
The day God took you home.

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A Place For Us

(by Dawn Glenton)

There's a place for us my Angel, with our Lord up above,
A place where tears can never fall and hearts are filled with love.
The sun does shine the moon's aglow, the darkness fades away,
There is a lovely nursery where you can play each day.
The Angels sing you lullabies as you drift off to sleep,
They chase the nightmares far away so you need never weep.
The fluffy clouds are pillows, to lay your weary head,
You're all wrapped up in Angel's wings asleep in Heaven's bed.
How could I wish you back down here with all the strife and pain?
I know that you are happy there and I'll see you again.
So play on precious Angel, I know you've many friends,
But please just know I love you so and will 'til my life ends

An Angel Poem

We little knew that morning,
God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

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What Makes A Mother

I thought of you and closed my eyes
And prayed to God today
I asked "What makes a Mother?"
And I know I heard him say
A Mother has a baby
This we know is true
But, God, can you be a mother
When your baby's not with you?

Yes, you can he replied
With confidence in his voice
I give many women babies
When they leave it is not their choice
Some I send for a lifetime
And others for the day
And some I send to feel your womb
But there's no need to stay.

I just don't understand this God
I want my baby here

He took a breath
and cleared his throat
And then I saw a tear
I wish I could show you
What your child is doing today
If you could see your child smile
With other children and say
"We go to earth to learn our lessons
of love and life and fear
My mommy loved me so much
I got to come straight here
I feel so lucky to have a Mom who had so much love for me
I learned my lessons very quickly
My Mommy set me free.

I miss my Mommy oh so much
But I visit her each day
When she goes to sleep
On her pillows where I lay
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek
And whisper in her ear
Mommy don't be sad today
I'm your baby and I am here"

So you see my dear sweet one
Your children are okay
Your babies are here in My home
And this is where they'll stay
They'll wait for you with Me
Until your lessons are through
And on the day you come home
they'll be at the gates for you

So now you see
What makes a Mother
It's the feeling in your heart
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start
Though some on earth
May not realize
Until their time is done
Remember all the love you have
And know that you are
A Special Mom.

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Why?
(by Dawn Glenton)

Why must my heart keep grieving,
Why do I feel so alone?
Why did you take my loved one God,
Why couldn't he stay at home?
Why did he have to feel pain,
Why did he have to die?
Why can't I go to sleep at night,
Why do I have to cry?

'My child,' said God, 'please understand,
I know your grief runs deep,
I've heard your many questions
In your prayers before you sleep;
I promised all eternity,
No death shall shadow you,
Your loved ones dwell with me above,
Up in those skies so blue;
They live with me in Heaven,
This place is their real home,
Their time on earth was through,
They learned to love, I called them home.
Your loved one is an Angel now,
Watching closely over thee,
There is no fear or pain up here,
Their soul is roaming free.
I let your loved one visit you
As you lie down in your bed,
He holds your hand and helps you pray
And gently strokes your head.
So please stop asking why he left
And dry your weary eyes,
For he is safe from harm on earth
With me, in the Heavenly skies.'

~Poems~

~For Mommy and Daddy~ with love, Melodi & Peyton~

It's very hard to understand
why one so small is taken,
leaving a Mom and Dad behind
with hearts so badly aching.

There are so many things in life
that no one really understands.
But the child you hold in your hearts,
God now holds in His hands.

Cared for and nurtured by the Father,
he will grow and mature in His love,
while angels guide and protect him
in his Heavenly home above.

They will tell him he was Oh so special
to you both, in every way ~
as they spend countless hours preparing
for your reunion One Grand Day!

They will take him to the edges of Heaven
and let him look often, down below
to see the Mom and Dad down here
that he didn't get much time to know.

So as you gaze up into the sky,
know he's now in a Glorious place,
and maybe he's looking back to you ~
searching for a smile upon your face.

For I'm certain that in his little heart
it grieves him to see you so sad,
for he knows he had the very best,
The world's greatest Mom and Dad!

Copyright 2002, Ferna Lary Mills

~Birthday's~

A Special Birthday

Please God, make them remember that
Today is a special, birthday.
Make them understand that
The memories don't go away.
Bless them, with ears to hear and hearts that care.
Enable them to listen while I share.
Shelter them that they may never know my pain.
Help them to help me know that my child's life was not in vain.
Help them to remember, Lord that I wish
That my child was here
So we could still celebrate.
To understand that I still
Feel the nearness of my child.
To see beyond my smile and the
Words. "I'm okay."
Please God, just let one remember today
Is a special birthday!