Last Picture of Derick taken May 2008

This on line memorial was created in loving memory of my son Derick Springer, whose life story is told throughout this memorial website. Please sign Derick's guest book and let us know you came to visit. We will remember Derick forever.

Derick James Springer graced the world and touched the lives of many from the time he was born, Friday, November 2 1984 at 7:25 AM in Norwalk CT to his last day here on earth, Saturday, May 10 at 2:07 am. This picture displays his brilliant smile and amazing sparkle in his eyes , but it is just a mere reflection of his zest for life and beautiful spirit. Derick was born with the gift of laughter and he enjoyed music, sports, his friends and family. In general, he love all life.  He was so good at making people laugh and I often thought he could actually make a living one day as a stand-up comedian. He was just so much fun to be around.

Derick has so many friends. He was with several of them the night that he died, out having a good time. They had gotten tickets to a prize fight at the Harbor Yard Arena in Bridgeport. During the exhibition Derick called his Dad to tell him how great a time they were all having. Afterward they met up with some other friends at a local pub. No one could have imagined how that night would end as tragically as it did.

Derick with our Dog Storm

Derick was a passenger in his friends car just 15 miles from home himself after dropping another friend off in Easton when the car went out of control on rt 58. Derick took the full impact from the other car they hit and was killed instantly by multiple blunt force trauma. At least they tell me it was instant, I hope it was because the car caught on fire.  He was virtualy trapped in the car and several people tried to get him out. The fire was coming up from under the dash, burning my beautiful boys legs and his giant gentle hands that lay still on his lap.  It was only by pure adrenalin that his friend pulled him out,  burning his own arms in the process before the entire car was engulfed. Unfortunately this is the same friend who was driving and should not have been with a blood alcohol level of 0.16. That young man not only has to live with the fact that he killed his friend but he also must spend four years in jail.

Framed DS EXPRESS T-Shirt

I was in Florida visiting my own parents at the time and can’t even explain let alone remember the time from the phone call at 6 am when my poor husband had to tell me, until later that afternoon when I got home to be embraced by him and my oldest son Dan. All I know is that once word got out what happened, my house and yard became like Grand Central during rush hour. I couldn't believe all the people, from friends and neighbors to relatives. They were all there to share their grief and comfort one another. I am so grateful to each and every one of them. We decided to have just a closed private viewing because we were told the funeral home probrably couldn't handle the crowds of people and I wouldn't be able to be with my son as much as I wanted to say good bye.  I still regret that in some ways but his family and I did get to touch and kiss my precious sons face over and over and tell him how much we all loved him. Then I got some extra time alone with him and I didn't want to stop kissing him, I didn't want to leave him. Those were my last moments with him. Our Church with a seating capacity of more than 800 was filled with standing room only on the day of his funeral. And his best friend Andre Walker who was also at the viewing because well he's just family, bought this huge blue T-Shirt with Derick’s nick-name on it ( DS EXPRESS ) for people to sign on there way in and out. So many expressions of love and friendship are written on that shirt which is now encased in a special frame in his room.

1st Thanksgiving at Lawncroft Memorial Park

I made the decision to have Derick cremated. I just wasn’t ready to put my son into the ground. But the following year, on the one year anniversary of his death, we eventually brought  Derick to his final resting place at Lawncroft Memorial Park here in Fairfield.  We invited several of our and his closest friends and family for a special private service to honor him. At that time more people were able to speak and share some great memories of Derick with us. A lot of the stories were funny and It was very nice, but bittersweet.  I still have a small amount of Derick’s ashes in his room. They are in a special box encased in a crystal rose that lights up and has his name printed in gold lettering. His room is filled with all kinds of pictures and momento’s, the only thing that remain completely the way it was are the sheets on his bed, and his clothes and personal belongings in his dresser and closet.  The best part about his room is that I can still go in there from time to time and smell his smells. Do you know how wonderful that is for me? I can still go in there and place my cheek upon his name lettered in gold and kiss him as I continue to long to be with him so much. One day when I am ready I’ll pretend he just moved out, and I will pack up his room and give some things away. Until then his room is another place I can visit when I can’t go sit by his resting place.

To Where You Are 

 

Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memory's so clear

Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be (?)
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above

Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen

As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are my
Forever love
Watching me from up above

And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave

Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are

Sung by Josh Groban 

Why

I stand and stare at the beautiful sky
Again ask the dreaded question why?
Why is it you are not by my side?
Why do I live on although my heart died?

Searching for answer as if I might find
The truth and solution to all of man kind
Why I was left , why my child did go?
I wish for some answers i just need to know

Why must I live on to cry all these tears...
With a life full of sorrow and millions of fears?
I long for the answers, or even a clue
As to why I was left here to live without you?

Why does life hurt those that truly are good?
Why are we left to be misunderstood?
A life that's so painful to wake to each day
Why is there nothing to take this away?

Why does my heart ache although I do smile?
Why does each step feel I've walked a mile?
Such anger and sorrow that I can't ignore
Why can't you just walk in through the front door?

Why have these years never healed my heart?
Why can't I learn how to live life apart?
I have tried to find some way to make this pain cease
Tried to find some way to live with some peace

Why must I live with this terrible thief?
It replaced all my happiness., calls itself grief
It buried and burrowed itself deep within
I'm frazzled, half crazy and worn very thin

Why can't I stop asking all of these questions?
Or listening to those that have clueless suggestions?
Why is it life has no answers at all...
Or none that I truly can ever recall

 In loving memory of Joey and his heavenly buddies
Lyndie Sorenson

 

 

Every Second Sunday in December, we stop to remember

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting unites family and friends around the globe in lighting candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memory of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries.Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the Worldwide Candle Lighting, a gift to the bereavement community from The Compassionate Friends, creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who have died, but will never be forgotten.

TONIGHT I HOLD THIS CANDLE                             By Alan Pedersen

Tonight I hold this candle

In memory of you.

Hoping someway, somehow, y love will shine through.

I close my eyes, lost in the glow.

There are so many things I want you to know.

This candle says I love you, this candle says I miss you.

This candle is saying I remember you.

When I’m holding it toward heaven,

It feels like you are near.

If you’re looking down tonight and see this candle burning bright,

It says I’m wishing you were here.

In the glow of this candle, I can almost see your smile

And it carries me away for a little while

To another time, another place

When all it took to light up my world was your beautiful face.

This candle says I love you, this candle says I miss you.

This candle is saying I remember you.

When I’m holding it toward heaven,

It feels like you are near.

If you’re looking down tonight and see this candle burning bright,

It says I’m wishing you were here.

Someday, someway I’ll see you again.

I’ll hold you in my heart until then.

This candle says I love you, this candle says I miss you.

This candle is saying I remember you.

When I’m holding it toward heaven,

It feels like you are near.

If you’re looking down tonight and see this candle burning bright,

It says I’m wishing you were here.