Without you there is rarely any laughter and when there is it feels forced.
Without you there is no force of energy in this home. You were the energy our family needed.
Without you there are no movie star kisses.
Without you there are no "bigger bigger" hugs.
Without you there's nobody running in and out the door.
Without you there's no Capri Sun's laying around the house.
Without you there's no wrappers to pick up.
Without you there's no little shoes and socks to put away.
Without you, there's no me. There's someone else that I don't even know. There's a new mom, a different mom than I was when you were here.
Without you, God has to get me up each morning and to bed each night.
Without you, God has given me the strength I need to move on one minute at a time.
I love you Zack. I'll always love you; always and forever.
Love,
Mommy
Zach/ Cari Turner (friend) To Zack's loving family, I cant' imagine losing one of my children and having to live life without one of them, but I know Zach is in heaven watching over his mommy, daddy and bubba. He is not having to live this life of trials and tribulations. Zach got called early and we can never understand why but my prayers are with your whole family and we wish you peace and love. My heart goes out to you and I hope you will experience Zach's presence when you need him near you the most. In his love, God bless your family, sincerely, Cari Turner-SC
Is this possible? / Mommy To my sweet Zack,
Is it possible that I have not kissed you or hugged you in 18 long months? Only God has given me the strength and grace to get up each morning.
Your daddy and brother miss you so much. I ache for you. My arms hurt because you aren't in them. I miss you smile and the way it could light up a room.
I wonder how many more teeth you would have lost. I wonder how tall you would be. One thing I don't have to wonder about is that you are safe in Heaven. You are experiencing the perfection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It doesn't seem possible Zack. I love you with all my heart and soul. You are my son and I will miss you until the day we are reunited in Heaven. Until then, have fun with Jesus and the angels bubba.
Love,
Mommy
We miss u so much! / Aunt Kristy Uncle Mike Ryan Joni Cory (Aunt Uncles Cousins )
Zack- I picked blue for you- I know how you like that color.We sure do miss u a lot.Cory reminds me of you all the time, he misses you a lot. I have a tree that lights up with your pcitures on it. I have the one of you riding your bike all by yourself at my house the summer you spent with us.I know your in a better place and we will join you one day! We love you and miss you- I hope you got your balloons from Ryan, Joni, and Cory
We miss u so much! / Aunt Kristy Uncle Mike Ryan Joni Cory (Aunt Uncles Cousins )
Zack- I picked blue for you- I know how you like that color.We sure do miss u a lot.Cory reminds me of you all the time, he misses you a lot. I have a tree that lights up with your pcitures on it. I have the one of you riding your bike all by yourself at my house the summer you spent with us.I know your in a better place and we will join you one day! We love you and miss you- I hope you got your balloons from Ryan, Joni, and Cory
I can only imagine / Mommy
I can hear you in the back seat singing this song. You sang it so many times. I never imagined you would be in Heaven before me. I'm so glad you knew Jesus. I pray that one day you will take my hand and lead me to Jesus with your big smile on your face. I hope to hear you say "Welcome Home Mommy".
I miss you so much bubba. I can only imagine what it must be like to be with Jesus!!
Thinking of you / Jodi, Harold, Dalton, Alyssa Bearns (aunt, uncle, cousins )
Well Zack I was just sitting here thinking of you. Today is Dalton's b-day. He was telling me who to invite for a sleep over, and he mentioned you. Then he just kind of looked down and said, sorry mom. I try to explain to him that it is ok. Dalton and Alyssa will out of the blue ask questions about you and that day. Everytime that we go past the cemetary they will look over and say,"Hey Zack." Which that just hurts my heart Love and miss you Zack
Your mom, dad, and Jacob miss you very much. Please help them to make each day a little easier than the one before.
I was told of this site from a friend of mom's.I'm a mother of two,and as i sit here,i wonder what to say,other then i am deeply moved by the poems,pictures,and condolences.It has givin me chills to read them.We all know he is with jesus and is the cutest angel in heaven.I'm going to get up right now and kiss my children.I'm sorry for your loss,I send my prayers and condolonces.
My birthday boy / Mommy
Eight years ago today at this exact time, you were born in North Carolina. Your brother brought you a present and gave you hugs and kisses. I couldn't stand to be away from you for one single second. We were happy; the happiest we've ever been.
Our family was complete. Daddy and I had two handsome healthy little boys. That was all we ever wanted. We were so happy to have you in our life. From the first day I knew I was pregnant with you, you had my heart. From the first day I met you, you had me wrapped around your finger.
You are my baby boy Zack. Nothing can change that.. Death cannot change that. I believe that when God calls me home, he will let you come take my hand and we will run to meet Jesus. My life will be perfect again.
Until then, we have to learn to live without you. You wanted to go to the water park for your birthday. So, we are going today. I pray that the Lord watches over us and gives us a sense of peace and comfort. You are my water slide buddy. I will slide for you and remember each time we laughed all the way down the tube.
Happy birthday Zack. I love you.
Love, Mommy
Carried By Angels / Michelle Randleman "Carried by angels"-it is all we know Of how they go; We heard it long ago. It is enough;they are not lonely there, Lost nestlings blown about in fields of air. The angels carry them; the way, they know. Our kind Lord told us so.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
A letter to my sweet Zack / Mommy
Dear Zackeroni,
We miss you so much. Our hearts ache for you. There are so many people thinking of you and your big gorgeous smile today. I imagine that it helps light up Heaven; along with God's glory.
You are my moon, sun and stars. I think of you every hour of every day. There's not a day that a tear doesn't fall from my eyes for you. You once asked me if I would cry if you ever died. Yes, my sweet boy, I cry every day. I cry tears of love and memories and sorrow.
I planted a memorial garden for you. It helps me when I'm mad to go out there and weed it and hit the dirt with my little rake. You used to help me plant flowers. The butterflies visit the garden and I think of how beautiful they are and how you loved to try to catch them. I imagine butterflies being in Heaven.
The Lord says that the Lamb will lay down with the Lion. Wow. I can see you now right next to that lion petting his mane. That would be incredible. You loved nature and animals. You loved the little things on this earth. I learned so much from you Bubba. You will always be my inspiration and I will carry our love for each other in my heart.
One day, when God calls me home, I will take your hand and you can introduce me to Jesus. Then I want you to show me every cool place you have found in Heaven since we've been apart.
I'll love you til the day I die. And then I will have no more sorrow because I will live with you and Jesus forever. What a glorious day that will be!!!
Love Always and Forever, Mommy
Thinking of you Zack..... / Annette Holmes (friend of family ) Well I don't know where to begin so here goes.... Zack I just wanted to let you and your family know that we are thinking of you. It has been a year just about that we all lost you. I want you to know that we have not forgotten you. It was a hard year for your family, but I know they are doing many things to keep your memory alive. I know you have seen the heartache they have gone through, but there has been many hard smiles too. Your mom, dad and big brother Jacob are inspired by your strength, energy and youthfulness. I myself am a better person having known you. I don't walk by spiderman and orange goggles without smiling to myself. The boys and I have not been to visit in a while, but we hope you hear us say hello when we drive by your resting place. I also found out the hard way that gogurt does not come off of truck ceilings too well and when I look at the stains I remember the day! It is the little things that count and I take them all in on a daily basis with my boys. Thank you for being part of our lives. I also wanted to wish you ;an early, birthday in heaven. Always in our hearts, Annette Holmes and family
Love and Prayers from the Taegers / Gilbert Taeger (Friend of Tina and David ) Tina and David, Mary and I are praying with you today. One year, next Monday, since Zack died and enter the arms of Jesus. Our hearts ache with you in your grief, pain, and every emotion you have. The first anniversary for us was very difficult. We wanted you to know we are thinking of you and praying with you each day. I wish we could be there to hug you two, cry with you, and celebrate your precious memories. Your grief is a life long process. I still encourage you to be easy on yourself and each other. I feel so inadequate in expressing myself to you. Do your best to let God continue to carry you. All our love and prayers too you.
Gilbert Taeger Yuma, AZ
Sometimes I hear you.... / Mary (Aunt) Sometimes when I close my eyes I see you. Sometimes when I am looking at your pictures and see your big smile, I can also hear your laugh. Sometimes I can feel your precence as if you were right here next to me. It breaks my heart that you are gone, for so many reasons. I try not to ask why because no one will ever know, and to ask only makes it worse. Zackery John Tomlinson will always be in my heart. I am so sorry that I took life for granted and missed out on so much time with Zack and the rest of the family. All that can be done now is use the time I have, wisely from now on. I love you Zack and I love you David, Tina and Jacob. Take care.
Eleven months ago today / Mommy Eleven Months Ago Today
Eleven months since we sat in church. My life was perfect, my boys at my side. God had given me everything I had every hoped for in life. How was I to know that my world would be shattered that night.
Eleven months since I saw your sweet smile. You wanted McDonald's but I said not today. Too busy to stop just one more time so that you could get your chicken nuggets and fries on our way.
Home we went and we had a great day. Dinner was cooked and you got to play. Off to work daddy had to go. We never would have guessed what would happen eleven months ago.
You played in the tub and lathered all up. You ate some cookies and tried to stay up. I caught you as you tried to sneak by. I told you I love you and goodnight.
Off to bed you went, or so I thought. You had went in our room and didn't get caught. The next thing I knew our lives were changed. My eyes couldn't believe what I heard and saw.
I tried to save you and we cried a lot. We prayed over you and asked God to come to that spot. He sent his angels to get you instead. Eleven months ago you went to live with Jesus because you are dead.
But death cannot separate our love and our bond. You see Jesus made a way for us to be together. One day God will call me too. I will take your hand and I will never have to miss you.
Not Down, But Through / Mommy Not Down, But Through
"When Thou passest through the waters," Deep the waves may be and cold, But Jehovah is our refuge, And his promise is our hold; For the Lord himself has said it, He, the faithful God and true; "When you come to the waters You will not go down, but through."
Seas of sorrow, Seas of trial, Bitter anguish, fiercest pain, Rolling surges of temptation Sweeping over heart and brain... They will never overflow us For we know His work is true; All His waves and all His billows He will lead us safely through.
Threatening breakers of destruction, Doubt's insidious undertow, Will not sink us, will not drag us Out to ocean depths of woe; For His promise will sustain us, Praise the Lord, whose word is true! We will not go down, or under, For He says, "You will pass through."
Annie Johnson Flint
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour...
My precious bubba / David Tomlinson (Father) Zack, I think of you every day. I can't believe that you are home. I have am trying to be strong, but every day without your smile, you sneaking cookies upstairs in your underwear, you stomping down the stairs in the morning, or dragging Princess around by the tail is tearing me apart. You were always smiling and brought light to our day. Mommy and Jacob love and miss you so much, too. I want you to be there and introduce me to Jesus when I come home, bubba. I can't imagine how great it feels to be with Jesus. I go to see you two or more times a week. I know you are with me when I work the streets and help me be a better officer. You always shared and wanted to help all the time. That is my Zack. there is a void in our lives that hurts so much. I miss you and love you with all I am, Zack. You keep those Angels busy, Bubba. Love Daddy
Dedication of playground / Mommy A new kindergarten playground at Zack's school was dedicated in his memory on May 14th. The sign on the gate says "Zack's Corner".
We bought a set of monkey bars for the new playground because Zack LOVED monkey bars!
There are pictures of it added to the photo gallery.
Continued love and prayers / Gilbert Taeger Tina, David and Jacob, I continue to pray with and for you. I cry when I spend time on Zack's website. Jesus is my comfort and strength. I have freedom to grieve when I am on Zack's website because I know you know my pain, loss, and the deep feelings of my heart. My faith in Christ is strong but in my flesh my heart crys out in my grief. Thanks for reading. Gilbert
9 months too long / Mommy To my sweet Zack,
Ten months seems like an entire lifetime without your huge smile and winks. It seems like an eternity without your hugs, your kisses, and your presence.
I miss holding you, watching movies together, having you next to me in church. I miss you greeting me at the door last summer after a long day at work. I miss seeing you show me tricks on your bike and the swing set. I miss looking out the window to see you and your brother jumping on the trampoline; laughing and smiling.
I miss your laughter and your bad moods. What I'll never miss is seeing you cry or get hurt again. I imagine Jesus showing you around Heaven wit all it's beauty and wonders. I imagine all the wonderful things you can discover before I get there.
I hope there are fields to play in, mountains to climb, rocks to pick up, and rain to dance in. I hope the angels give you rides and that you can see the moon from Heaven. When I look at the moon, I imagine that you can see it from the other side.
I miss you so much my precious Zack. I never imagined living without you. I always told you that you would be an old man when you died. I guess moms just don't know everything; but Jesus does.
I will always love you and honor you bubba. Until you take my hand and lead me into the promised land. I will love you always and forever.
Tributes and Condolences
Zackery John Tomlinson will always be in my heart. I am so sorry that I took life for granted and missed out on so much time with Zack and the rest of the family. All that can be done now is use the time I have, wisely from now on. I love you Zack and I love you David, Tina and Jacob. Take care.
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