As many of you know, on November 11th I lost someone very close to me. My cousin Andy Walters and his girlfriend were driving through the mountains in Payson, Arizona. Andy and Hope both lost their lives that day in a head on car crash. It will have been one year tomorrow. In celebration, our family has decided to honor this day, and instead of it being a sad day, we will make it a celebration of Andy and Hopes lives.
Now, a note from a family member honoring the occasion:
To all our friends and family:
Tomorrow is November 11th A day that will forever be emblazoned in this family as one of the most tragic losses of our lives, the loss of our Andy-Bear Walters.
Andy had many, many special traits that we we all loved but amongst the most endearing to me was how much he loved spending time with his family and friends, just being home, playing board games, video games or watching a funny movie. There was nothing more precious to him than a night at home with Mom and Dad, Kristen and Ty. I was blessed to have shared a few of those nights with this incredible family myself.
One thing Andy always tried to impress us with was his amazing “Chocolate Cream Pie”. It was his “signature” contribution to a great meal.
I say, let’s forever celebrate the beauty and simple joy this young man brought us by turning this tragic day into a celebration of his life.
Gather your family and friends, turn off your cell phones, laptops or whatever else is causing you to lose precious time with your loved ones, and share a game, some jokes and a chocolate cream pie!
Chocolate Cream Pie
- (4 oz.) pkg. chocolate Jello instant pudding
- 1 c. milk
- 1 1/2 c. Cool Whip
- 1 baked 8 inch pie shell
Directions
- Mix pudding using 1 cup milk
- Blend in Cool Whip
- Spoon into a baked and cooled 8″ pie shell
- Garnish with chocolate curls and Cool Whip
- Chill for at least 1 hour
I can’t believe how much I miss him everyday. It sucks, but what can you do?
Tags: Andy, Arizona, Death, Family, Food, Friends, Kristen, Life, Tyler
November 10th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
DJ,
I miss him so much, I can’t believe that it has been a year and yet at the same time it feels like it’s been five. Tomorrow will be such a bad day, but I think we can make it a little better, as long as we remember him for him. I love him so much. Thank you for sharing this.
-Kat
November 10th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Just yesterday we were sitting around as a family laughing while we remembered many of the great moments we had with Andy. One of the most precious memories I have is of Andy singing “Randolph the Bull Leg Cowboy” all by himself microphone and all at our Wedding rehersal party. I have still have never seen a cutier ring bearer. This summer we went to Valley Fair and were constantly reminded of Andy. Like the time he went solo on “The Wave” (which is a huge 30 seat pontoon boat that comes down at at very steep angle and splashes everyone standing below). He had a grin from ear to ear and loved the fact that he soaked our whole family. And when he followed his Mom around Valley Fair begging for this stupid T-shirt he saw with a funny saying on it. She refused to buy it because he already had 8 million T shirts with silly stuff on them. I ended up getting it that day and saying it was for his birthday. Boy did he think he pulled a fast one on his Mom. Now she has all his T shirts as treasured memories of his life filled with fun and laughter. Every time my boys would do or see something fun the first person they would call is Andy. He was always willing to listen to them describe in full detail whatever it was they needed to say. He left behind a legacy that I use as an example for my boys all the time. That is live everyday with a smile on your face and have fun with life. Our family will be forever grateful that Andy was
in our live.
Jeff, Jodie, Will and Blake
November 11th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Day of the bear-haha. I love it!! Everytime I see anything bear or panada, I always think of Andy. I miss him so much. Love you Rhonda, Charlie, Ty and Kristen!!!!!!!!!!!! Be strong
November 11th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
The boys and I just spent the evening watching football and playing board games. We decided to skip hockey and soccer and just honor Andy by staying home and having fun. We did not have Chocolate pie because Will had already made his own homemade chocolate chip cookies…(can you say too much baking powder).
Anyway they tasted pretty good. Next year he will try the Andy Bear pie. Love to everyone. Miss you Andy Bear!!!
November 28th, 2008 at 12:09 am
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving having our family all together again. But sad in so many ways as I thought about the Walters family, trying hard to enjoy another holiday that must feel so empty without our Andy-Bear. I talked to Grandma tonight. She is facing her first Thanksgiving without Grandpa as well, She said it was the first time in 55 years she didn’t cook a turkey! Imagine that, I made my first one in nearly 55 years tonight!
Life can be so hard at times but with love in our hearts, we will prevail. Thank God for pictures, and memories in our hearts and souls. Love you DJ!
November 11th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Thanks DJ. We miss hime so bad. I am so grateful you guys all worked together at that hotel. All of you hated the hotel but had great times together. Andy would come home everyday and make a chicken caesar wrap – some deli wrap you taught him how to make at the hotel. As far as the pudding pie please go by the directions on the end of the instant pudding box. That was his specialty. We will be hanging out this afternoon recalling all the memories we can. Then just for Andy we may have a Wii competition after that! Andy we miss you and think of you everyday. Keep watching down on us, we will see again one day. XXOOXXOO Mom
November 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Andy was just a kind, good boy and will always be sorely missed in our family. The only thing that makes sense to me about his loss is that possibly he perfected his assigned task on earth by becoming such a loving, kind boy that God decided his job here was done. We will definitely have a chocolate pie family night in our home in honor of Andy this week. Thanks for the suggestion!!
Love, Diane & Kids