PUZZLE PEACES... An Awareness Project for Peace / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )
Hello everyone,
I wanted to share with you a project my foundation is doing that I thought you may be able to pass along for me. Our basketball tournament is this coming weekend and we will be displaying for the first time something we are calling the Puzzle Peaces. It is meant to bring awareness to the problem of violence and bring attention to those who have lost their lives through violence. I will be decorating large puzzle pieces (in a scrapbooking style) for the victims of violence. Each puzzle piece will connect to one another and we plan to continue to build it from there. (like the aids quilt concept) I'll also use some of the puzzle pieces for reporting statistics and other crime facts, victim statistics and other important information to help educate people on the issues each community faces. If you would like to include your loved one and know others who would like to have their loved one to be a part of the puzzle for peace, let me know. Below is a form outlining the information I would need to include on the puzzle piece. If a picture is to be included, it can also be emailed to me and I can print it out. I would need the info by Friday to include in the display on Sat., but since this is an ongoing project, I will be accepting the information at anytime for future use.
Anyone can email me the information and I will create the puzzle peace. There is no charge. We will however have another wall hanging, a clear, vinyl heart with 35 pockets that will hold 5" paper hearts that people may show their support through giving a donation (any amount) and the individual or we will fill out a heart for them and place it in the pocket. The hearts can be the donating person's name or it may be filled in for someone. This will be called our A Peace of My Heart project. This is separate from the Puzzle Peaces however both will be displayed at our tournament. My hope is it will bring about a needed awareness and eventually our puzzle peaces will be displayed in other places and so on.
If you would like more info on the tournament, you can everything on our website- www.brianeddiefoundation.org After the tournament I plan to put pictures up and I will have the puzzle peaces on there for people to view. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Please include anything that you would like included on your puzzle piece such as a nickname, favorite food/sport/color/song/movie etc., special bible verse or quote or saying, anything specific you would like to add- We love you, We miss you, Forever in Our Hearts… (these are just some examples)
*Please keep in mind the area of the puzzle piece is about 8”x 8” with two 2 ¼” circular areas (good spot for picture). We will do our best to include the extra information you provide but also do not want to clutter your puzzle peace.
**If you have more than one family member to be included in the puzzle, please let us know and we will do our best to keep family members connected to one another in the puzzle.
My hope is this project and our combined efforts will help to bring more awareness to a subject most find unpleasant and try to avoid. Violence is a problem in our communities, more specifically it is a social issue among our young people and there is a need to reach out and help to make a difference. One report on violence states young people that ages 14-25 are the most likely to lose their lives to violence, the 2nd leading cause of death among this age group is homicide. Maybe even more alarming is the statistics that state the same age group are the ones committing such violent crimes. This is unacceptable and clearly there’s a problem here. Something has to be done. It starts with awareness of the problem and then hopefully we can find a way to the solution.
God bless you. I pray peace find’s its way to your hearts and your communities.
Living peacefully & loving freely~ Lynda Simmons Founder/President Brian Eddie Foundation, Inc www.brianeddiefoundation.org 910-580-6281
DUNKFAN IS ALMOST HERE!!!!!! / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )
3 on 3 basketball tournament October 4, 2008 Northwood Temple Academy
4th Annual DUNKFAN REGISTRATION (male & female~ages 12 + up) Registration $150: deadline~Sept. 22, 2008 (t-shirts guaranteed if registered by this date-day of tournament-first come; first serve)) TEAM NAME: Team Rep’s Name:(choose a contact person for team) Address: Email: Phone:
Player’s name Age Shirt size Street Address City/Zipcode 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. SIZES: S - M - L - XL - XXL - XXXL Ÿ ADDITIONAL SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $12.00 ($15.00 FOR XXL & XXXL)
CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO: Brian Eddie Foundation Mail registration form with $150.00 registration fee to: (you may register up to 5 players) Brian Eddie Foundation 572 Andover Rd Fayetteville, NC 28311
Or bring to Northwood Temple Academy office with Attn: Ms. McLamb/DUNKFAN by deadline date. Open Registration table on tournament day 8am-9am (t-shirts only guaranteed while supply lasts.) Open gym from 8am-9:30am; All teams must be checked in by 9:30; Opening Remarks/Prayer begins at 9:45 am; Games begin @10am; double elimination
For more info contact~ Brian Eddie Foundation-910-580-6281; Stephanie Yentsch-910-644-6250; Lynda Simmons- 910-488-0476
You can't imagine how much I miss you today! I can't put it into words that would truly express the depth of the emptiness inside of me...
God blessed me 29 years ago today with you! I will forever be grateful for the years I did have with you. But as I think about all the wonderful memories I have, I can't help but feel my sorrow that completely surrounds me. I still have those moments when I panic over the reality of what happened and the cruel fact that you are no longer here with us. I suspect I'll feel this from time to time for the rest of my days here on this earth, until the day that I can see you again and hug you, kiss you, laugh with you, talk with you, just be with you...that's when I'll be filled again, when I'll feel whole again.
Your birthday is bittersweet with it being on the heels of the day you died... The joy of the many memories I have is mixed with the sadness that lies deep inside of me. I look at pictures of you with a smile on myface and tears rolling down my cheeks...
I pray you are having a wonderful birthday in heaven, celebrating the life you once had here and rejoicing in your new life with God, Jesus, the angels and many o0ther friends and family I know are with you.
Dance with the angels, slide down rainbows, kick back in the big, soft clouds and be at peace, be filled with joy and know you are loved beyond words, beyond this earth that I live in and all the way up to heaven!
Happy 4th of July Brian. Thank you for your service to our country, helping to keep our freedom in tact. I'm grateful to all of the men and women who work for our freedom.
I know you loved the 4th and all the fireworks. I loved hearing how you would take the boat out at the station when you were working and watch the fireworks from on the water. You said it was awesome! I bet it was!
Missing you~
Love~Mom
REMEMBERING YOU & YOUR FAMILY THIS 4TH / GRMA ROSE TO ANGEL BRITTANY SYFERT
I uploaded a new song for Brian's site. It's a very appropriate song. It's called The Servant's Song and it's sung by Giles Blankenship. He sang this song at Brian's funeral and recently recorded it for his new CD. It's a beautiful song.
We are travelers on a journey. We need to help one another as we journey through life. We all will have troubles and trials in our lives from time to time and we're meant to help each other walk through those times as we keep our trust in God. Life is tough and it bewilders me when I see people who seem to make it tougher for someone rather than try to ease their load. We all have our own burdens to bare and the load can be heavy at times, but when my load is light, I can take on some of someone else's load to help make their journey a little easier. The amazing thing about that is my load seems to lighten as well! I know this is because when we reach out to one another, God is in the center of that and he helps us carry our load.
In short here's what I'm trying to say;
Walk with your brother, not away from him.
Work with your brother, not against him.
Love your brother, don't hate him.
Forgive your brother, stop resenting him.
Respect your brother, don't ridicule him.
Be at peace with your brother, stop fighting.
Reach out to your brother, don't push him away.
Encourage your brother, don't put him down.
Do unto your brother as you would have him do unto you...
I could go on and on with this list, but I think we all know what I'm getting at. I pray that in this world we will learn to respect our differences and embrace our similarities. None of us are all that different from anyone else. We are more alike that we are different. Open your eyes and seek out the commonality between you and your brother. Once you begin to do this, the differences will become less and less.
We are travelers on a journey, fellow pilgrims on the road...
If you would like Gile's new CD or a copy of one of two other CD's, please let me know. I will be glad to mail one to you. They are $15 and well worth every dime! God bless you.
You are missed by many! / Denise O'Brien (Bell (Former Shipmate )
I only knew Eddie for a short time. Four years to be exact. We were shipmates at Station Oregon Inlet in Nags Head, NC. It only took those short years to know what type of person Eddie was. He was the one you wanted when the SAR alarm rang, he was the one who you wanted by your side when rescuing those in peril. He was also the one who made those long hours in quaters interesting and funny! Eddie always had his seat in the back of the room and it was his for a reason!! I could continue on with the many reasons that made Eddie the type of friend everyone needs, but I do not need to! Everyone who knew him knows a lot more than I do.
Thank you for your kind words, thank you for visiting my son's memorial, yes he had the bluest of blue eyes, the girls loved him and he loved to make people laugh. I read thru your son's memorial page and he sounds like such a fine young man, you must be very proud. Remember all the good memories and share them with others it will keep his spirit alive. I try and do this, Timmy was my baby, my sweet angel, my buddy. My life is lost without him, I only wish I could find better words to comfort you but please know that you are in my prayers.
Angels/ Angelica Grover (Twinless Twin)
The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994
Prayer for the New Year / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )Read >>
Prayer for the New Year / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )
Prayer for the New Year
Grant me the strength from day to day To bear what burdens come my way. Grant me throughout this bright New Year More to endure and less to fear. Help me live that I may be From spite and petty malice free.
Let me not bitterly complain When cherished hopes of mine prove vain, Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage Some fair tomorrow's spotless page. Lord, as the days shall come and go In courage let me stronger grow.
...
Lord, as the New Year dawns today Help me to put my faults away. Let me be big in little things; Grant me the joy which friendship brings. Keep me from selfishness and spite; Let me be wise in what is right.
A happy New Year! Grant that I May bring no tear to any eye. When this New Year in time shall end Let it be said I've played the friend, Have lived and loved and labored here, And made of it a happy year.
This Little Candle of Mine... / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )Read >>
This Little Candle of Mine... / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )
This little candle of mine, For you tonight it will shine, My love will spread beyond it's glow, Helping to light this world below...
As the flames unite, And each candle is lit tonight, May we all remember those we hold dear, And let the light draw them near...
For the darkness is but brief, As it settles on us in our grief, And when the morning finally shines through, We see all that is honest & true...
It's love that matters & perseveres, And peace that eventially calms our fears, For we learn to walk this road with a friend, And on each other's help we depend...
So we light our candles & find our way, Surviving the unsurvivable every day, And in our journey we find our joy, Content that our love can't be destroyed...
Around the world there is a glow, Of candles burning & hearts who know, That our love is lifted by a tiny fire, And our hope is rising ever higher...
Our candles shine brightly to transcend the stars, So heaven won't feel so very far, And for a moment we feel closer to those we love, Who are safe with Jesus up above.
Angels surround us no matter where you go Angels are around us don't you know Angels will be strong for you Angels will belong to you Angels will survive for you and protect you no matter what you do Angels will be there in time of need and angels will never leave as long as you believe.
Brian is in heaven... / Lynda (mom)
I have reposted this from Brian's myspace site. I think it is an important fact about my son and a message that needs to be shared. http://www.myspace.com/rememberingbrianeddie
If you are reading this blog then you probably noticed the changes on the profile page. I can't explain it but I felt it was time to make a few changes and follow a somewhat new direction here. Like the song says, it's time to wake up! Life is no joke and this is not a practice run. This is it, the real deal, we need to make the best of it and start looking at where we're going from here...
I want this site to continue to be a place where others can come and remember Brian. I want it to continue to reflect who Brian was and I recently realized that there is a part of him that isn't well represented here. That's the spiritual aspect. Brian was a very spiritual person. He was christian, he believed that Jesus was his savior. He had an experience when he was about 14 and asked Jesus into his heart. He was saved that night and I know this because he shared it with me. We also discussed the subject of Jesus, of being saved and heaven. The last conversation about this took place less than 2 months prior to his death. I had called Brian to talk with him and I asked him if he knew he would be going to heaven. He laughed but he didn't hesitate to tell me, "Oh yes, I'm planning on it!" He commented some about hoping God wouldn't be too unhappy with him, he knew he didn't always live exactly as he should have. I asked him this because I had recently been baptized and I was going to see the movie, The Passion of Christ so it was on my mind. I told him I wanted to be sure that my kids would be with me in heaven! Of course at that time I was under the assumption that I would be getting there before either of my kids...we never know.
I have no doubt that my son made it into heaven! Since he's been gone I have had many experiences that I consider confirmation of this! It gives me comfort to know that he now lives with Jesus, that he is safe in the arms of God! What better arms to be in! So when I realized that I often hesitated to mention God too much here or associate Brian with Jesus, it upset me. I honestly feel like my son would want me to share these things with all who stop by his page. He would want you all to know where he is (if he hasn't given you some of your own clues), but I genuinely believe he watches over us and anticipates the day when we will join him there.
It has been my understanding that he saw the movie The Passion of Christ. I am grateful for that and comforted by this thought. I would call him and leave voice mails and messages telling him he had to go see that movie! Although we never talked about the movie together, I noticed he expressed more interest in prayer and shared with me that he did pray and believed in the power of prayer. In his things we received after he died, he had his bible, a meditation book and a new book titled Jesus Freaks by DC Talk. They all showed definitely signs of use. I was surprised by the DC Talk book but I was also happy to see it. The book was marked in 2 places and for me that was a direct blessing from God.
Brian was a very spiritual person. He had a heart full of love for other people and he understood the importance of forgiveness better than most people I know, including myself. He was a gentle soul, he demonstrated a good sense of self-control continually in his life, he was patient and kind, he was giving, he lived as a peaceful person, he was joyful and there was a light within him that truly lit up a room wherever he went. He never bragged about himself, he was a humble man, he knew he wasn't perfect and he didn't look for perfection in others. He looked for the best in them and he always believed that things would work out, no matter what the circumstances. He loved people for who they were. Love, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Gentleness, Patience, Faith, Self-Control, Humility...Brian possessed them all and these are the fruit of the spirit. These are character traits that come from God, from the Holy Spirit that lives within our own hearts. You can't fake this stuff, not on a regular basis. Brian was consistent in his character, he was who he was and he is a child of God!
I think there are a lot of confused people in the world when it comes to the gift of salvation. Being saved is very personal and each person's spiritual journey is his own. There are no hard and fast rules, although I do believe that when we are saved and understand the source of our salvation we won't be living purely for ourselves anymore. Life is not all about us, we somehow figure out that we're all in this thing together...together being the key word here!
I've had a few people share with me that Brian's death impacted them in such a way that it played a role in their own decision for salvation. Praise God, the glory is his and it is more evidence that he keeps his promises. Like Romans 8:28- "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
God really doesn't want that much from us compared to what he gave up for us! He loves us and he simply wants us to love him. When we love someone don't we strive to please them? And when we mess up, don't we feel bad and regret our actions? Don't we apologize and ask the person to forgive us? A relationship with God is very much the same. We enter into a relationship and try to be the best people that we can be. Not perfect people, just decent people, caring people who are less self-centered. Good relationships are rewarding, they lift us up, encourage us and bring energy to our soul. The rewards of a relationship with God are infinite... I pray if you have not yet taken this step or have a need to renew your commitment to the Lord that you won't put it off any longer! Today is a new day. We're not promised tomorrow, all we have is today! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain through a decision to ask Jesus into your heart. It only requires a simple prayer and an honest desire to do so. You can simply say these words or anything like it and I promise that God will hear them and He will respond...He's always waiting, patiently...
Dear God, Precious Father in Heaven, I know I have so many faults and have committed many wrongs against others and ultimately against you. I am not proud of this. I know I am not worthy of your love and forgiveness yet you say I only need to ask Jesus into my heart and my sins are forgiven. I'm asking now. Jesus please come into my heart now and cleanse me of my sins. Make me a better person and show me your way so that I too will have eternal life. Keep me from sin, show me how to live and help me to let go of the things that keep me from serving you and reaching out to others. In Jesus name I pray...Amen.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8) I pray your journey has begun and that you will find it as amazing as I have! If I don't see you here on earth, I'll see you in heaven! (I hope-that depends on you)
DUNKFAN UPDATE!!! / Lynda (Brian Colletti's mom )
IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ABOUT 10 TEAMS SO FAR AND WE WILL STILL HAVE OPEN REGISTRATION ON THE MORNING OF THE TOURNAMENT! SHOULD BE A GOOD DAY OF BASKETBALL AND SOME GOOD COMPETITION! ALL LATE FEES FOR REGISTRATION HAVE BEEN DROPPED SINCE WE WERE LATE GETTING THE WORD OUT!
WE WILL HAVE FULL CONCESSIONS SO COME ON DOWN AND HAVE LUNCH AND CHECK OUT THE GAMES! DON'T FORGET WE WILL ALSO HAVE OUR RAFFLE! TICKETS ARE 2 FOR $1.00! WE WILL ALSO HAVE A BAKE SALE TABLE WITH PLENTY OF GOODIES! THERE WILL BE A MERCHANDISE TABLE WITH PREVIOUS T-SHIRTS FROM PAST DUNKFAN'S FOR HALF PRICE, OUR WRISTBANDS, CUPS FROM LAST YEAR AND A COUPLE OTHER ITEMS!
IT ALL TAKES PLACE ON OCTOBER 6, 2007 AT NORTHWOOD TEMPLE ACADEMY IN THE GYM. OPEN REGISTRATION FROM 8-9AM, PRE-REGSITERED TEAMS NEED TO BE THERE BY 9:30AM, KICK-OFF AT 9:45AM AND THE GAMES WILL BEGIN AT 10AM!
BRING THE FAMILY, BRING YOUR NEIGHBORS, BRING ANYONE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BEING A TRUE DUNKFAN!!!
Tributes and Condolences
