Wish You Were Here

My cousin Aubrey wrote this poem while we were at our family cabin this past Labor Day. It was one of Chad's favorite places to be... I thought that it was perfect to post on the first anniversary of his spirit leaving this life.

As we sit here at your favorite place,
Our faces in the firelight glow.
We all have sorrow in our eyes,
'Cause deep down inside we know.
The loss we feel since you have gone,
Has brought us all to tears,
We all feel pain, but no one tells,
Oh how we wish you were here!
Since you've gone we've learned some things,
We wish weren't learned this way.
But sometimes life's most important things,
Are realized when taken away.
Funny how a picture's just a picture,
Until someone in it's gone.
Then it's something we all treasure,
'Cause it helps you linger on.
Funny how a song's just a song,
Until it's one that brings you near.
Then we laugh and cry until it ends,
And it's almost like you're here.
Funny how the love we feel,
Is something that we hide.
'Til someone that we love is gone,
Then it's no longer kept inside.
Funny how the petty things,
Don't matter much at all.
When what used to mean the most to you,
Suddenly seems so small.
No one should have to learn this way,
To know what real love means.
And the importance of a family-
Now in our eyes it gleams.
Although we hate to have you gone,
Your life within us burns.
As our capacity to love increases,
And life's importance's we learn.

Aubrey Jeppson
September 6,2009
For Chad England

"Black Bird"

This sums Chad up

My cousin Aubrey had this on her blog and I thought it was perfect for Chad and the way he lived. He enjoyed his ride!

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "Wow! What a ride!"

Videos of Chad...

If any friends or family of Chad have video of him. Please put them on a DVD and get them to Cindy. Our family is going to get a memorial DVD put together for Kayden.

Thank you so much for all of your support.

If I should ever leave you whom I love, to go along the silent way, grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there. (I’d come; I’d come, could I but find a way! But would not tears and grief be barriers?) And when you hear a song or see a bird, I loved, please do not let the thought of me be sad- for I am loving you just as I always have…you were so good to me! There are so many things I wanted still to do- too many things to say to you…remember that I did not fear…it was just leaving you that was so hard to face…we cannot see beyond… but this I know: I loved you so, ‘twas heaven here with you.
-Author unknown

For My Chad

I know now you are gone, I refuse to believe it,
But I know it's true.
I have always known how you felt about me,
Now it's time to say how I felt about you.
You were a perfect man, almost too good to be true.
You looked so handsome to me,
And our love was so obvious, everyone knew.
I loved your stature, your style, your mind.
The way you loved nature, the way you were kind.
I thank you so much for the present you left,
She is quite beautiful, anyone can see.
She is half you
She is half me.
I wish deep down there still was more time,
To cuddle you longer, to feel sublime.
I still feel your warmth, your presence and love,
You'll always be with me,
Though I know now you are safe,
In heaven above.

I love you babe!

Cynthia

Chad's Obituary

CHAD DAVID ENGLAND, age 29, of Las Vegas, lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Tuesday November 25, 2008. He was born September 24, 1979 to David and Kathy England. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Chad married his high school sweetheart, Cynthia Anderson, in April 2001. They have a daughter, Kayden, who was his “little sweetheart” and “buddy.”

He enjoyed mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, riding his Harley and anything to enjoy the outdoors. He had a very adventurous spirit, was talented in leather working and creating things with his hands. Chad loved spending time with his family, especially at the family cabin. He was a great friend to all and was always there for those who needed him. Chad was a loving brother to four siblings and uncle to five nieces and nephews. His family, friends and all who knew him will dearly miss him. Chad lived life to the fullest.

He is survived by his wife and daughter, parents and parents in-law, sisters and brothers, Heather (Robb) Neeley, Katie (Nathan) Mills, Beau and (Jessica) and Holly, nieces and nephews, Makenna, Chandler, Teegan, Ava and Tatum, great grandparents, grandmothers, Vivian Moulton and Maureen England-Nelson, aunts, uncles, and cousins. His two grandfathers, Gerald England and Joseph Moulton, precede him in death.

Visitation will be 4:30-7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 30, at Palm Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd. Services will be held Monday, Dec. 1, with visitation from 1:00-1:45 p.m. and the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 10070 W. Azure Drive. A burial and graveside service will follow the funeral services, at Palm Mortuary, 6701 North Jones Blvd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wells Fargo Bank, in the name of Kayden England.