This is our very sad anniversary. In a way, it seems like I just saw Cailean last week and sometimes it feels like so many years. Nevertheless, I feel that he is still always with me. Thanks to Brittany, I will wear his birthstone every day for the rest of my life. Thanks to Mariel and Matt, I visit this website almost daily. Thanks to John, I constantly see the image and potential of his son. Finally, thanks to Dexter, I see the hope for a better future. To those of you who come to this site to read or write about Cailean, please know that what Cailean meant to you, you also meant to him. He had a real appreciation and love for family and friends. Thank you for being part of his life.

There is one incident from the past year that gives me comfort and assures me that Cailean is still with and watching over us. It goes back to last October when John and I were driving down to Pennsylvania to visit some good friends. Brittany called us to relate an unusual event- she and Pam were in the kitchen of their apartment when all of a sudden the stereo went on in their living room. Lo and behold, “Yellow”, a Coldplay song came on. This was the song that always reminded Brittany of her brother. I told her that it was a sign from Cailean. A few days later I related this story to a very good friend while we were on a walk, adding that I wished that Cailean would also send me a sign. ( To regress, I must now also add that last June some of my very good friends from college gave us a birdbath with a beautiful floral planter in honor of Cailean’ s memory. We eventually placed this in front of Cailean’s bedroom window with plans to place seasonal plants etc. on it.) In September I set a small pumpkin and some purple mums on it. When I returned from our walk that day I noticed that the pumpkin was gone – and no sign of it remained anywhere. Somehow I have to believe that Cailean heard my plea and responded. It comes full circle – “Yellow” is about stars- Mariel purchased a star for Cailean this past Christmas and “Yellow ” was the song dedicated to Cailean during the Heart and Soul Talent Show in April.

Thank you all for helping us get through this past year. You will never know how much your prayers, kind thoughts, concern, hugs, smiles etc. meant to us. I think Cailean (whom we miss more and more each day) would join us in these thoughts. Love, Maureen