James Wesley Burke

Don't think of him as gone away-

    his journey's just begun.

Life holds so many facets-

    this Earth is only one.

 

Just think of him as resting-

    from the sorrows and the tears.

In a place of warmth and comfort-

    where there are no days and years.

 

Think how he must be wishing-

    that we could know today.

How nothing but our sadness-

    can really pass away.

 

And think of him as living-

    in the hearts of those he touched...

For noone loved is ever lost-

    and he was loved so much.

Iam sure we all celebrated Jimmy's birthday in our own ways. We(here in Az) all got together and had Jimmy's favorite dinner(spagetti) and a very large strawberry cupcake. (it was as big as a reg cake) Then we took 38 balloons to a local park and released them in his honor. But what I wanted you all to know is that anyone and everyone that is a friend or family member of Jimmy's, you were added to the balloons. No one was left out. It was a hard day but we got through it together and we will continue to get through it because it is what Jimmy would want us to do.

We Thought Of You With Love Today,
But That Is Nothing New.
We Thought About You Yesterday,
And Days Before That Too.
We Think Of You In Silence,
We Often Speak Your Name.
Now All We Have Is Memories,
And Your Picture In A Frame.
Your Memory Is Our Keepsake,
With Which We'll Never Part.
God Has You In His Keeping,
We Have You In Out Hearts.

We will be releasing 38 balloons in Arizona for Jimmy's birthday on Wednesday.  If you get a chance on that day, please release them from where you live.  We have not been able to all get together to celebrate his life, but in this small way, we can all celebrate his birth together. 

 

Jimmy-we all love you and miss you more than words can express.  You will always live on in our hearts and our minds.  We will never forget who you were and how special you were to each of us.  Your smile lite up a room and your wicked sense of humor kept us laughing.  Watch over all of us...as it is comforting to know you are up there keeping your eye on us.  We could always trust you to keep us safe.  We will be together again someday.  Take care and watch the sky for your balloons.  Each one will carry our personal messages to you.  I love you honey.......

 

Your wife, Carolyn Marie Burke

I am not so far from you,
Just a little way beyond;
Past the cares and past the pain,
Far past my earthly bonds.

When you feel you miss me most,
As years go drifting by;
Each memory will prove to you,
That our love will never die.

For memories are but a touch,
From the Father's gentle hand;
To heal your pain and mend your hearts,
To help you understand...

That while I left you far too soon,
I did not leave alone;
For the Father sent His angels,
To gently take me home.

Take comfort when you think of me,
Keep my love alive in your heart;
And with the warmth of each memory,
We will never be apart.

They say it will get easier as time goes on, but for me it seems to be getting harder.  The longer you are gone, the more I realize I am alone.   We will never have our happier ever after and I am not sure that I want to even think about having it with anyone else.  Every day I look at your pictures and at your wedding ring, which is on my hand, and wonder why we couldn't be the ones that were lucky.  It took us both so long to find the love we needed and wanted, yet it was taken before we were able to be together.  I know you are in a better place and no longer in pain, and for that I am grateful.  I am just resentful that we didn't get our time.  The time we had was not long enough and we were not done.   When we met, it took you a long time to convince me to try love again.  Why would I do it again after it was taken from me once more.  I wasn't ready to lose you.  I know you would not want me to be unhappy and sad all the time, but even though I have been through alot in my life, this one has me down for the count.  I don't know how to pick myself up and continue.  I just keep working to keep my mind off the other part of my life.  It is easier to be too busy than to think about how lonely I am.  I miss you more than anything and love you more than life.  I know we will be together again, but it such a long time before I will see your smile and feel your arms around me again.   Be good and take care.  I will be watching for you in my dreams.......I love you honey. 

Hi there Jimmy, Sorry I havent been on for awhile but i've thought of you every day. Well iam sure your aware of all thats going on. Ive move in with someone else, I think you would really like him. He remindes me alot of you. Hell you probably sent him to me.hahaha... He is a little on the wild side. His name is Eddy and he likes alot of the same things as you, the dirt bike riding, 4wheeling, rock crawling and just being crazy...haha  He really makes me happy and I know Ive done the right thing..Jimmy I just dont think people understand, I just want to be happy..I know iam hurting other people in the process but there just isnt any other way..I cant make everyone happy all the time. I really beleive its my turn. The day you left was the turning point. That was the most heart wrenching pain ive ever felt  and i never want to go through it again, but it made me see that life is to short to live it they way other people want you to..And thats what you did in your life. You were crazy but you enjoyed life.We used to do some of the craziest things but we laughed through them all..Jimmy please know that you are in my heart and I cry for you everyday, I know you wouldnt want me to but maybe someday it will get eaiser..I love you with every breath I take...Your big sister............ kisses for ya........

Amen......

Jim, I came across this peom and I thought it really fit alot we were and are still going through..Just remember we will never forget or stop loving you.

Love,

Your sister

 

 

God Knew that you were suffering,

That the hills were hard to climb.

So He gently closed your eyelids,

And whispered "Peace be thine".

 

A million times we have needed you.

A million times we have cried,

If love alone could have saved you

You never would have died.

 

In tears we watched you sinking

We watched you fade away.

Our hearts were nearly broken

You fought so hard to stay.

 

In life we loved you dearly,

In death, we love you still,

Within our hearts you hold a place

No one else can ever fill.

 

It broke our hearts to see you go

But you did not go alone,

For a part of us went with you

The day God called you home.

 

This past Monday was our 5 year wedding anniversary.  We were going to celebrate on Tuesday when Jim was released from prison.  To say this week has been rough is an understatement.  The only thing that makes me smile is remembering our wedding.  It may have been in the prison, but seeing Jimmy's smile made it worthwhile.  Mom and Tami Jo were there also.   I don't think he thought it would ever happen.  We had to postpone so many times and only found out the day before that we could get married the next day.  We had so many things we wanted to do together.  He wanted us to go on a vacation together and go home to Maine so he could show me around.  He wanted to see where I grew up.  He wanted to grow old with me and show me how much he loved me everyday.

Jimmy-I hope you know how much I loved you, no matter what issues we were having at the time.  You are the person that made me believe that I could love again.  Please watch over our family.  In our own ways, we are having a hard time dealing with losing you.  We were so close to having you home, it is such a let down to not have you with us.  Help us mend our hearts.  I will love you always and will never forget the times we had.  Save a spot for me, while we won't grow old together, we can share eternity together.....