From Megan Atchley

Dear Jennie,

I received your email just before heading off to bed, and I laid awake for along time thinking about all of you. For Gillian and I Crested Butte has always been our "heart" home. It's the place that feeds our soul and that's due to the continuing friendships we've had there since childhood. Tommy, Michael, David and Rueben have been like my brothers. The "V" boys, all so charming. For me, there was nothing better than a huge welcome back hug from Tommy. He was always so,so happy to see us. For Christmas this year Gillian handed me a package. I opened it and found a soft burgundy shirt. I knew immediately it was Tommy's. Michael had so kindly given it to Gillian to give to me. After our Dad died, both Gillian and I would (and still do) wrap ourselves in his shirts. It's like getting a big hug from him. I do the same with Tommy's shirt when I feel like I need to have one of his hugs. His shirt hangs right next to the shirt my Dad wore the one and only time he ever held Lucy. It provides me some measure of comfort seeing them there. I consider both my Dad and Tommy to have shared some of the same spirit-they both loved and lived life to the fullest. They both touched people in a way that made life long friends. They had this smile, full of impish fun. I often think about why two such amazing people were taken from us. I also think about how in so many ways they are still here. Their life force was so strong and the memories I have of them are so strong and so detailed that they are still very present for me. I have learned just how powerful memory is. It allows us to keep a loved one with us forever and always remember and I am so grateful for that.

The other day Lucy asked to hold the picture of Tommy we have on our fridge. She clutched it in her hands for a long time. I sometimes wonder if she has these secret conversations with Dad and Tommy. I hope so. She would have loved her Uncle Tommy just as I did and do.

We'll see you all in August.

Love,

Megan

Letters from Friends

> Flower Power
> Marci Fenski
> Gillian Atchley
> Megan Atchley
> Ian Swinson & Megan Atchley
> <Unknown>