If I knew it would be the last time That I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew ! it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, Well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always get a second chance to make everything just right.
There will always be another day to say "I love you," And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, ! you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear, Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry," "Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay." And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today..
Were thinking of your family / Long Family (We Care ) We think of your precious family often Zack. And we pray that they be guided by the fond memories and Gods grace. You have a wonderful family who misses and love you dearly. With love from our family to yours.
Maurice Long Family
Zack and a beautiful poem made by a wonderful friend at church / Mommy
missing you / Tricia &. Brian Bearns (aunt/uncle) Zack I have spoke to several people this past week about you. How you lived life at 100 miles an hour and took it all in, what we take for granted. you would be so proud of mom, dad, and Jacob, they are doing great things in memory oy you and to honor God. Just send them a little something every now and then to keep them strong. Rachael and Adam ask and talk about you alot. Rachael makes braclets with your name on them. they miss you so. I can't wait to see you again. Uncle Brian and I have joined 2 fire dept and first responder programs to honor you and help families when tragedies strike. I have met people from far and wide who have heard of your story and we fill in the corrections or missing info. You have impacted more than just this community. Mom and Dad have done an awesome job. Love Jacob and he misses you so, send some comfort his way. We miss you, kiss my sister and grandparents for me. I'm sure you've met them and poppaw has already rubbed your head for me. Love you all. prayers as always David, Tina and Jacob. Jacob I am proud of you with your roller hockey and football you go and kick but for you and Zack. He would be sooo proud too. Love Tricia and Brian / Adam and Rachel too
GOD BLESS / Steve Snyder (friend of mom ) Although I never knew you personally, I knew your mom andI can tell by this website the love that surrounds you even in death. God must have needed an extra special angel for some special duty. Your story is one that reminds all of us in law enforcement, that life is precious and not to take anything for granted. May your big smile always be the thing that keeps your family strong! GOD BLESS YOU ZACH!
Merry Christmas, Bubba! / Daddy (Father) Today was our first Christmas without you, buddy. It was the worst day of my life and yet we still had Christmas for Jacob. I know you are watching over us and Jacob. My heart and soul hurt beyond imagination, Bubba. I know I have to be strong for your mommy and Jacob. I can't understand WHY? For the last two weeks, dreading Christmas, I have thought of all the christmas memories we made with you as a family. I smile at the memories and cry because I won't have any more with you. I miss holding you, I miss your puppy dog eye look that you gave when you were bad, I miss you waking us all up at 0600 every morning, I JUST MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I know that you are with Jesus, but that does not help the hole in my heart and soul. I will love you for the rest of my life and always cherish you beautiful smile. Jacob and Mommy are hurting, too and I can't take that pain away. Jacob has lost his best friend and brother and I can't change it at all. Zack, you are and always will be our loving Angel. Jesus please take care of our Bubba. Merry Christmas Zack. I love you, Daddy.
Compassion.com/ Mommy We recently adopted a little boy the same age as Zack through Compassion. Each month we will be sending money to this Christian based organization to help him learn about Jesus, go to school, help with his hygiene, and get him food to eat. This is a wonderful program and is so easy to do. You can write the child letters and they will write back. What a blessing! His name is Rakesh so please pray for him and his family.. They live in India. Visit the link below if you are interested.
Poem God's Lent Child / Mommy I’ll lend you for a little while a child of mine, God said, For you to love the while he lives, and mourn for when he’s dead. It may be six or seven years, or forty two or three, But will you, ‘til I call him back, take care of him for me? He’ll bring his charms to gladden you. And should his stay be brief, You’ll always have your memories as solace in your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn. I’ve looked this whole world over in my search for teachers true, And from the folk that crowd life’s lane, I have chosen you. Now will you give him all your love and not think the labour vain, Nor hate me when I come to take this lent child back again. I fancy that I heard them say, ‘Dear God Thy will be done’, For all the joys this child will bring, the risk of grief we’ll run. We will shelter him with tenderness, we’ll love him while we may, And for all the happiness we’ve ever known, we’ll ever grateful stay. But should the angels call him much sooner than we’d planned, We will brace the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
God’s Lent Boy
"Letter to Mom" / Mary Moore (Aunt)
Letter to Mom
Mom, please don’t feel guilty It was just my time to go. I see you are still feeling sad, and the tears just seem to flow.
We all come to earth for our lifetime, And for some it’s not many years I don’t want you to keep crying You are shedding so many tears.
I haven’t really left you Even though it may seem so. I have just gone to my heavenly home, and I’m closer to you than you know.
Just believe that when you say my name I’m standing next to you, I know you long to see me, But there’s nothing I can do.
But I’ll still send you messages and hope you understand, that when your time comes to “cross over,” I’ll be there to take your hand
Holidays/ Mary (Aunt) I know today is 4 months. It seems like just yesterday that I was talking to Zack on the phone about what to get him for his birthday. TOW MATER! It is not getting any easier for the Tomlinson family. I can't wait to see you all again and offer my help during the holiday season. Zack is in our hearts closer than ever right now. He will be thought of every day for the rest of our lives and remembered as a joyful, happy, handsom, little boy. I love you Zack! I miss you! I love you Tina, David and Jacob too and I miss you too. Please stay strong this holiday season. Don't hesitate to call upon your family and friends when you need them most.
Thank you / Aunt Mary (Tina's sister ) I would also like to thank whoever flew the flag for Zack too. How thoughtful and honorable. Zack would have been so proud, actually he is proud and he thanks you too....whoever you are. As always, love, hugs and kisses to Tina, David and Jacob.
FLAG FLOWN IN HONOR OF ZACK / Mommy
THANK YOU TO WHOEVER INITIATED THE FLYING OF THE FLAG OVER THE COMPOUND IN AFGHANISTAN ON SEP. 11TH. WE RECEIVED THE FLAG AND PICTURE FRAME FROM SOMEONE WHO DID NOT WISH TO BE IDENTIFIED. WE ARE DEEPLY TOUCHED AND HONORED! ZACK IS SMILING FROM HEAVEN, I'M SURE!
Stilling missing you / Aunt Mary It has been three months already. Three months, six years, it has all gone by so fast. We can never make up for lost time....never. We all miss Zack so much. At least we can look forward to seeing him in Heaven. And now we have a little angel out there watching over us. Love to Tina, David and Jacob.....I think about the 3 of you every single day. I love you all and can't wait to you see again. Hugs and kisses....
Condolences/ Barry Henline (Friend of family ) I can not imagine the pain you all have nedured losing your son. I could lose everything I own and it would not compare to losing one of my kids. God bless your family and comfort them through this loss. You will be reunited again.
We very proud of you all / Tricia &. Brian Bearns (aunt & uncle ) Tina, David and Jacob, We are so proud of you and your efforts to reach out to others on personal and spiritual levels. You are taking a tragedy and turning it to help others prevent heartache. And showing how something so so tragic and devastating can bring you closer to God. I am so thrilled you feel you have found your purpose in this life. Alot of people go through life wasting their talent or calling, never feeling the level of achievement you will with reaching out to others.You all will definately have more jewels in your crowns for this mission you are living. You are most certainly keeping Zack's enthusiasm for life alive. And through that he has an enormous legacy. We love you all, and always will be here for you. Praying for you everyday!! Love, Tricia, Brian, Adam and Rachael
so very touching ...... / Kathy What an amazing love you have for your son that you are able to rise above your deep sorrow and send the message of gun safety. What a meaningful legacy for a precious litttle man. With heartfelt sympathy .. Kathy
I am so sorry / Rose McPhee Leo's Mom Dear Zack's family I just wanted to say Zack in a beautiful place where I believe there are waterfalls and the most amazing rainbows Our son died on March 21,06 he was playing a horrible game I had a miracle on Sept 13 06 my child came to me a feeling of such peace came over me and my son but his head on my shoulder and kissed my cheek he said (no words were spoken) mom stop worring im ok . That the faith we have to have in our Lord
I will promise to pass your message on about guns Rose From Saint John N.B Canada
Sorry/ Georgina -. Angel Holly Clarke Mummy So sorry for the loss of your son Zack.
Thinking of you all x
LITTLE ANGELS / Angela Clark (friend of family ) Tina,
I wanted to share with you a poem that was given to me after we lost Justin. It brought me some comfort. I tried to locate the poem and author's name to no avail.
LITTLE ANGELS
When God calls little children to dwell with Him above, We mortals sometime question the wisdom of His love. For no heartache compares with the death of one small child Who does so much to make our world seem wonderful and mild. Perhaps God tires of calling the aged to His fold, So He picks a rosebud before it can grow old. God knows how much we need them, and so He takes but few To make the land of Heaven more beautiful to view. Believing this is difficult still somehow we must try, The saddest word mankind knows will always be "Goodbye." So when a little child departs, we who are left behind Must realize God loves children, Angels are hard to find. ----Author Unknown
prayers/ Angela Clark (friend of family )
Dear David, Tina and Jacob,
Even though we lost our son, too, we will never know how you feel. We are so sorry to hear of your loss. I pray that God will help you cope with your loss and see that He has led you in ways to use your grief to help others--telling people about Zack, about Jesus Christ and gun safety. I am proud of you. Zackery will never be forgotten, as sometimes I felt regarding Justin. I felt as if I smiled again, that meant I was no longer missing him and was afraid I would forget, but you never forget. And, when you feel like it, it's okay to smile again and laugh and enjoy your family, without negating his memory or the fact that you miss him. He is still a very big part of your lives and always will be. You are in our thoughts and prayers and are prayed for in my Bible Study group.
Tributes and Condolences
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