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A grieving mother's tribute

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Contributed by: Frances Taylor on 3/19/2007

Kevin: A name meaning Kind and Gentle
Or Beautiful Birth
Dale:A name meaning Valley
Taylor: His Father's name

Born: February 1, 1960
March AFB California
Died: 5:30 AM, November 3, 1981
Woodland Park , CO

Kevin was a beautiful baby, a precious child. The last of three sons he made our family complete. He was healthy and happy, he was never ill. He romped and he played as all little boys do. All the brothers were different as night is from day. Kevin was headstrong from the day of his birth. He loved and he laughed in a way all his own. He picked flowers and brought them from the fields where played. He sometimes picked mine or the neighbor's next door as he walked home from school.

Enterprising he was at a very young age. He sold everything from newspapers at age five to objects he made from resin, candy bars discarded by the neighborhood grocer, even snakes that he caught while camping. Sometimes I thought he would even sell me.

Kevin felt confined by the things man has made, cities and schools, houses and jobs. He wasn't impressed by a manner of dress, college education, position or class. His jobs were hard and dirty and cold. He found treasure in trash and the simplest of things. He felt accomplishment when following a pipeline or climbing a pole. His dream of driving a big rig came true just this year. But the things Kevin loved most were the things God has made. Animals, mountains, oceans and streams. He enjoyed them all, from the bottom of a mine shaft to the top of a cliff.

He distrusted man more than any wild thing. Kevin would have made a great pioneer. The ideal life for him would have been to build a log cabin, to hunt and to fish and live off the land. Of his Indian heritage he was so proud. He read Indian history, and made Indian crafts. He called his dog by an Indian name. Like the Indian too, he often felt oppressed. His friends were few. But, they were like rare jewels, valuable, loyal, devoted and true.

Turbulent years were also his lot. Migraine headaches, injury, frustration and disappointment came his way. He married young and at that early age was only a boy with a man's job to do. Often torn between love, duty, family and friends. Still he lived and he loved to the fullest each day. He is gone now. He died suddenly at the hands of another. His place among us will never be filled. But, I know that by God's grace we will see him again. For Kevin, who knew and loved God's creation is now at home with his Creator.

My tribute to our youngest son written just weeks after his death.

By April, 1982 I and a few interested individuals had chartered Colorado's first chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (the Pikes Peak Chapter) in Teller and El Paso Counties. For the following 6 years I was a victim advocate, court watcher and citizen lobbyist in the successful effort to change Colorado's drunk driving and victim rights laws. Many of which are still on the books today.

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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments

Submitted By: Daniel Smith

posted on 3/20/2007 @ 4:56:44 PM

Rated Story

A wonderful, moving story.

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Submitted By: Susanne Sanstra

posted on 3/19/2007 @ 8:45:25 PM

Rated Story

Thank you for that beautiful story. Our family too has been touched by drinking and driving and I appreciate your dedication.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Frances Taylor

Colorado Springs , CO

Frances Taylor has posted 6 stories and 1 comment since joining on 2/2/2007. Frances Taylor 's average story rating is 5.

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