.A Eulogy.

Never in a million years did I think I'd be delivering one of these...especially not for my husband...and especially not at 24....but I did...and here it is.

Sat. June 27, 2009


At my bridal shower I was lucky enough to receive some good advice and it said, always be each other’s best friend. Chris and I took that advice quite literally our entire relationship. I met Chris six years ago, never expecting to be here today. He was everything I ever needed or wanted and all in one person. I love his laugh, the way his whole heart seemed to smile when he was happy, and his gentle touch. He always reminded me to put myself in another’s shoes before judging and he saw me through the best and the worst moments I’ve ever had….in fact, he gave me my best moments each and every day.

I never truly understood what they meant when they said you only get this kind of love once. I do now. This kind of love means hard work…Chris always gave everything he had to our relationship and our family. This kind of love means sacrifice. Chris knew what it meant to give and take and never forgot to kiss me goodnight or say I love you over and over. If you asked me how many times a day we told each other we loved each other, I would have surely lost count by mid morning.

Chris was a private person mostly and found himself most comfortable observing but once he opened up to you he shared his witty jokes and his love freely. He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it and he’d hold you close to his heart when you were going through a rough patch. He considered Jill, Brett, Greg, Amanda, Clare, John Hoppe, Jenny, Sandy, John Salzman, and Jon Blevins his best friends and cared so much about each of them. He often talked about all the things we’d all do together…whether it be getting together for a cookout or to go the races or even to go the dells. He had big dreams for each of you and he’d want you to remember that he’ll be there every step of the way. When you feel a soft wind cross your cheek, I guarantee you that it will be him. He comes sweetly and lovingly and will guide you down this path and you will never be alone.

Chris promised me that I’d never be alone and while he is no longer in this world, I know he is here. He is a man of his word and will hold to that promise until I can reach him in paradise. He strived to be the best man he could, one very much like his dad. When I was sick he offered to cut my pills in half, telling me he always saw his dad do this for his mom and it made him feel like he was taking care of me. He mowed our lawn, took care of household things I never even got to think about because it was already done, and never once complained…well, except when it was 20 degrees below zero and he came in wind burned from the cold.

I consider myself to be the lucky one. Out of the millions of people in the world, Chris chose me to share his life with…to be his partner. He looked at me on December 6, 2006 and asked me to marry him. This may not have gone as we planned but with us, it never did and we always got through it together. He carried me when I couldn’t walk alone and he held me when I was afraid. I will miss his hug and touch and the way he’d look at me from across the room. We surely didn’t have a fairy tale romance but we had an every day romance and some people never experience this kind of feeling. I am lucky enough to have had it 6 years.

I’d like to ask a few things of each of you…please, don’t take this life for granted. You only get one and luckily Chris made the best of it. I’m sure there are things we’d all like to change and Chris will be there to help us through those changes. So if it’s quitting smoking or volunteering your time or being more aware of helping others...make sure this one life is your best. Please hold on a little tighter to those you love, you never know when those arms won’t surround you or when you have to say goodbye but if you make the most of it all and you are gracious and thank those who mean the world to you, certainly you will have lived your life in the same way Chris did. Please think twice about what makes you mad—when this minute passes you will never have it back again…that is why Chris was never mad for very long.

Father Schuster, I need you to know that Chris looked up to you and loved every word you ever said. You have been a great source of strength to both of us and I don’t know what I’d do without you there to help me through.

Steve, Ruth, Tom, Sherri, Ron, Cindy, Kristi, Al, Amy, Leo, and Ro…all of you helped shape Chris—you were all there to pick him up when he fell and you all loved him so much that he was able to share his love and life with the world. Know he loved you all and even now, I know he is holding us in his warm embrace.

Hayden, Victoria, Jack, and Lexi—The four of you made him so very happy. He loved to lift you sky high and talk to you about anything and everything. The baseball games, chuck e cheese trips, and his ability to be all of your jungle gyms at any given time made him smile from ear to ear. I hope you always remember him and know just how much he loved you.

Martha, Bob, LaVerne & Joe—Some of his most favorite memories were spent with you. He could never bear the thought of losing any of you which is part of the reason I know you all meant the world to him. Just remember all of your wonderful memories and please know he loved you more than any words could say. He was your grandson and no one can ever take that away from you.

Bob, Therese, and Matt-I want you to know that he loved all of you before he ever loved me and because of you, he was the most amazing husband I could have ever asked for.

To my wonderful Christopher….my monkey…my everything….. I take comfort knowing you didn’t suffer or hurt for long and that you were my partner in this life. I will take care of you and our family every day until we meet again. Remember always, I love you from here to the moon. I’ll see you again my love…and until then I’ll take it minute by minute and hour by hour but I know you’ll be right here beside me, even if I can’t see you. My greatest accomplishment in this life was becoming Mrs. Christopher Brey.