The days leading up to the funeral I had written something for Dylan and I wanted so badly to ask Colleen and Steve if I could read it at the funeral, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it. I really should have set my fears aside because now I am regretting not doing so. I still wanted to share what I had written because Dylan means so much to me and he deserves all the love from all of us. I hadn't revised it because I had come to terms I couldn't do it, but here it is..... For those of you who don't know me, I am Dylan's auntie Kendra. Dylan was the first boy to ever steal my heart. I was 9 when Dylan was born and I truly believe I was the luckiest 9 year old ever. Not many people get the privilege of becoming an auntie at such a young age. The love I felt the day he was born was something that cannot be described and that feeling has never gone away. I am so grateful that I became his aunt at a young age because it meant I got to spend more time playing with him than the average auntie or uncle. When he would go to his grandma and grandpa Gilbert's it meant I also got to see him, since I lived there of course ;) He would spend days at a time there and because 9 year olds don't have jobs it meant I had all the time in the world for the cutest, chubby little baby I had ever seen. I never knew wrist rolls could be soo cute until I met that little chunker. For those of you who knew him as a baby, know what I am talking about....oh my goodness, we could not get enough of those rolls. Colleen and Steve's was basically my second home. I spent many weeks there during Christmas holidays, March break and summer holidays. That came up in conversation just the other day while I was at Colleen and Steve's. They had been going through pictures getting ones together, for the slideshow today, and Steve said to me "there are a lot of pictures of you" there were pictures of them on their family vacations...and there I was. Pictures of Christmas or birthdays on Steve's side of the family....and there I was. I am so thankful to you, Colleen and Steve, for allowing me to spend so much time with you and your boys. Dylan loved with his whole heart and it's obvious where he got that from. As time went on, Dylan and I didn't spend as much time together as I would have liked. I got older and had jobs, moved away for awhile and then came home and began my career and path as an adult. At that time Dylan was a teenager. The teen years can sometimes be difficult and that's when friends can become life, but Dylan always seemed to make time for his family. He loved his family as we did him. I wanted to set more time aside for him and really wish I would have the last few years we had together. I would send a txt here and there seeing how he was doing and what he was up to and we would see each other at our family get togethers and have some good little chats. He knew I was there for him and I love him, but as his auntie I should have been there for him more. We can have regrets after a loved one passes and it's hard not to live with those regrets. We need to find ways to get past that so we can live life remembering all of the times we did have together. When I think of Dylan I can't help but smile and have a happy feeling run through me. He had such a kind heart and gentle soul. He loved with his whole heart and always thought of others. He was always asking about others and making sure everyone was doing well. Oh, that smile of his!! Dylan, you had a smile that can never be forgotten. I smile just thinking of it. The last time I saw you, you were smiling at something and I couldn't help myslef...You looked over at me and said "what are you smiling about?" all I could answer was "your smile" And that shy/cute little giggle you would get when you didn't know how to respond to something that was said was the best! I will remember that sound forever. I can't remember a time I saw you that I didn't get a hug and I am incredibly grateful for that. I will hold onto the feel of the last one I got. There was something inside me that would light up every time I saw you. All you had to do was walk into a room. Again, a feeling I can't even begin to describe. Part of that light left the moment I found out you were gone. Sadness took over. I just couldn't believe this thoughtful, caring, beautiful young boy was gone. As we begin to live these days without I realize you are still here with us. Not in person but you have found ways to show you are still close. I have been finding coins, specifically nickels, in the most random places where I knew there hadn't been one before. They say it's a loved one showing they are still here. You have been showing up for your mom, dad and brother in ways they know you are with them. That light might never fully come back but the memories I have and the feeling of you being here makes it a little bit brighter everyday. We love you and will miss you every single day. May you rest in peace.