adventures with roy

Karen and I (Bekah) have had some adventures with Roy that we wanted to share with all of you. Karen has written something that I will post below for you along with her pictures. I recently went to St. Augustine with my family and spread some of Roy's ashes in the ocean. I try to take Roy with me wherever I go. Maybe a little weird but it makes me feel like he's with me. So my pictures are from St. Augustine and Karen's are from June Lake. If anyone else has spread Roy somewhere and would like to share them with us please do. I think it's neat that Roy is going all over the world...just what he would've wanted. Love you guys!

~Bekah

Roy's Family~

Hi, I was able to take some time in June to travel and during a short road trip I got to visit June Lake near Yosemite, CA. This is a small fishing lake where Roy's grandparents and his dad and Aunt Judy use to go when they were young. Roy got to fish there with his father when he was young too. It is a fond memory for Gary and the rest of the family. The pictures here are of me, Karen, spreading some of the ashes of Roy James, Aunt Judy, and Grandpa Roy together. The day was June 12th, 09 and it was a particularly beautiful day. I know it made several of Roy's family happy to see these pictures. I hope it does the same for all of you. Although I miss Roy everyday I pray that all of us are able to think of him, honor him and know that he wants us all to live happy lives because he loves us all so much~ Blessings to each of you~ Roy's mom~ Karen









Here are a couple of my pictures from St. Augustine:

Early Mother's Day Blessings

I will be visiting Florida May 6th through the 13th. I am coming to see and spend time with Roy's Grandma, Vicky, Linda, Rodel's mom, Becky..... and all the other sweet moms who gave Roy that kind of affection and caring that we mothers just offer so sweetly to all children. I am grateful to each of you who gave Roy love, a hug, good food, a word of advice, and also called him out on his "shenanigans". I always told Roy that love is limitless and to earn and receive the love of many is to truly be blessed. My son is truly blessed. Thank you~ See you soon~

Always~ Karen

Our song

Roy might be upset that I'm sharing this...but oh well. He would never admit it but he really liked this song because it's a little girly and romantic and he was way too manly to like something like this. I love this song and played it for him in the car one time and he thought it was cute. I told him that when we got married that we would have our first dance to this song. Of course he said that he wasn't going to dance at his wedding, but at one point he said IF I dance at my wedding we could dance to this song. It's sweet and simple and completely defines what Roy and I shared. It's called "The way I am" by Ingrid Michaelson. I've added it to the playlist so you can listen to it and below are the lyrics. I hope you like it as much as we did.

~Love, Bekah

If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.

Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.

If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.

Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.

I'd buy you Rogaine if you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.

Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.

We had a party last night to rid Roy of his past bills! We had a little fire pit in my back yard and just hung out and spent some time together. I've been on vacation this past week and went through a lot of Roy's belongings and I'm not going to lie it was pretty tough. I know this will sound selfish but going through things that I knew nothing about made me realize how short our time together was. We had so many plans for our future and there was so much more that I wanted to share with him and knowing that I never will is very frustrating. Anyways here are some pictures from last night...enjoy!

Love,
Bekah


Watching Roy's bills go into flames

The guys hangin out

Yes Karen in case you were wondering I cut my hair...11 inches actually that I'm going to donate.

Cyrus had so much fun throwing paper in the fire

It wouldn't be a party unless Bobby does a cart wheel!

Our food fight....yes a food fight!

As most of you know I have picked up the hobby of throwing eggs to deal with my anger and frustration. One night my sister, Anna, Gary and I decided to have a food fight in my back yard. We picked up the most random foods that we thought would be fun to throw...not realizing how much we would smell afterwards! It definitely helped me get out some anger but have fun at the same time...so enjoy the pictures...and try throwing some eggs when you get a little upset.

Love,
Bekah

While we are still clean

Anna was very excited...Gary not so much

A nice mixture of eggs, cottage cheese, whip cream, and twinkies!

We all decided to throw eggs at each otherMy anger release...throwing eggs!Sitting on the curb throwing eggs...and smelling horribly!

Oh yea whip cream pies in the face

Smelly...but happyTrying to see through the whip cream mask

Our tattoo adventures!

Praying for Grace

Today, I found myself unable to think of one person or thing that could stop the pain or despair I am feeling over Roy. I am sorry but I have to share this part. I am no longer in shock....I am hurt and pissed and miss my son.....I know there are a lot of other people who have been here or will find there way to this unspeakable place. I pray for each one of us to ride the wave and when we get pulled under I pray for God to breath for me and you. I think of each one of you .....all of you every day and wish that I could sit with you and laugh and cry and share everything we love about our Roy. I love the CD and the blog and it helps me so much to read the words you have all shared. Please keep sharing and I really want to see those pictures of the tattoos!!! PS..Bekah, I laughed hard and loved you even more when you asked for Roy's eyes and "Fantastic Friend". you can explain if you wish Please...Love and Laugh and Thank Your Higher Power for the time we had Roy, And We''ll All Float On OK, Anyway ~ Karen

From Hayley

I send my love to all that are hurting. I know Roy is watching us all and trying to take each of our pain away. I know he knows how much he is loved and is missed! Roy knew me better than almost anyone else, even though we didn't talk often. When he died he took a piece of my heart with him and that is where it will stay. I know in my heart he was an angel given to us and I will take many memories from the times we shared. For those who have known Roy they know what a great guy he was. He was loving and generous with all his family and friends. Roy will be missed by me and everyone he's met! I send my love to all who knew him!!
Hayley

Grandpa Roy and RJ

Anna and Gary's version of a song Roy and I loved

Zach's memory

I first met Roy back in '05 while working at Yae Sushi in Orlando. I remember, he wasn't to fond of me in the first few days, I could understand though. I know I'm not the easiest to get along with. Funny though, we found a similar dislike for another guy we worked with and that's how we became friends. From then on we came to be better and better friends as the days went on, I mean we worked 6 days a week together how could we not. I knew every single day was gonna be fine because my buddy Roy would be there to cheer me up if ever i was down. He was one of very few friends I had during my time in Orlando but it was fine, Roy is the greatest guy anybody could ask for as a friend. After I moved out of town he and I still kept in touch, though my calls were too few and random he was always happy to hear from me. I always told him I'd come up to see him and kick back a couple cold ones being that I wasn't 21 yet when I was living there. He would get all stoked even though he knew I was never going to make time to come up there. I remember getting a call from him one day, he had been one of the first to hear the songs that a former band I was in had put up on a website. He was practically in tears from the laughter. "Dude, THE SHOCKER!!!!" was all he could get out of all the hysterics. I knew he was going to love them. Roy's sense of humor was unmatched. I don't think I'll ever meet someone who could make me laugh like Roy did. When he stopped working at the Japanese joint I couldn't take how boring the place had become and had to get the hell out of there. We were a like a tornado of obscenities and laughter that kept that place alive and without it it was a nightmare. That's just the way Roy effected everyone on a daily basis. It feels good to know that even though he isnt' with us, he will always be there, just thinking about him and I burst out in to laughter as if he was in the room with me. To forget would be impossible. You can't forget a guy like Roy. He was a damn fine man and I'm glad to have what few memories of him I do.

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!!

I miss you.

There are too many reminders of you. Every where I look, every thought I have is of you. I'm trying my best to be tough like you helped me be but it's hard and it isn't getting any easier. No matter how hard I try nothing can distract me from you. I know you are here but I just want to touch you. I love your family and it was great spending time with them but I wish you were around. I miss you honey every second of every day.

Miss You

Roy was somebody who always made me laugh and feel happy. If I had a crappy day at work or was just pissed off in general, it seemed to go away when I pulled in the driveway and saw his car there. I don't remember a single time that I was around him and in a bad mood. He had such a fun loving nature and it was contagious. I miss that.

-Susie

My little cousin

Not many guys his age held a heart and depth of character as Roy. Being the 4th lowest in the Ellious brother food chain it was refreshing to have adopted Roy as my little brother. Knowing him has been an honor. My wife and I often talked about him before his passing as a guy who just took life as it came. Two years ago he came back to Wisconsin for his visit. I was so excited to see him. At the ending of our visit we said good bye and I truly was sad to see him go. My older brothers and I polluted the poor guy at my house a few years prior. Poor guy couldnt hold his Miller Lite as well when he was 18. I can say this about Roy, he took the time to get to know my kids and really bond with them while he was back. This news hit them very hard. We love and miss you Roy and will never forget you buddy.

David, Nancy, Marcus, Allison and your favorite Jack Russell Benny

I guess I'll use Roy's blog as a type of journal for me. I felt like at his party I should have said something but maybe I didn't quite have the words. As most of you know, Roy and I met at the Peter's house one night playing poker. I called Manda to see if they were playing and I asked who would be there, of course when she mentioned Roy's name I got a little excited. I went and made sure that I sat next to him so we could have a chance to talk. Obviously it worked and we spent most of the night talking. I don't think anyone thought our relationship would've turned into what it was, including us. About a week or so ago we got carryout from Olive Garden for our 2 year anniversary and after we ate we spent some time on the couch talking about our time together. We always asked each other why we loved each other and we didn't always have an answer we just knew we did. One time when he asked me I told him it was because we had the most real relationship that I had ever been in. We weren't trying to be people that we weren't and nothing was complicated, it just worked. That was all the explanation I ever needed and he seemed pretty happy with it as well. He was the closest thing to a husband that I ever had.

A Memory of Roy from Uncle Kevin

One time when Roy was about 4 or 5 we spent some time in a hospital waiting room. He was unable to go see my father because he was too young. With nothing much to do and time to kill Roy decided to start getting fiesty and wrestling with me from around the back side of the couch. Once I got ahold of him I started tossing him all around me until he was dizzy and I got tired. We laughed and laughed until we regained our breath and then we started in again. Roy liked getting tossed around sorta like a stuffed doll. I had him going around my back then across the front sometimes flipping him upside down and around as well. Our pent up energy was quickly extinguished and we had I think possibly our first bonding moment where we were just hanging out and having fun.

Uncle Kevin

Celebrating Roy

On February 25, 2009 we lost one of our best friends. We miss him and will always cherish the special times we shared. We wanted to set up this website in honor of Roy's life. Even though his life was short, the effect he had on all of us will be ever lasting. If we could only see him one more time to give him one more hug, to share with him how much we love him, and to tell him he will never be forgotten. We are overcome with grief, but through our tears we are able to smile and even laugh as we recount stories and fond memories that we shared with him. Help us remember and carry on his memory for years and years to come. All are welcome to read as well as contribute to this blog. Share things that will always remind you of Roy and the way he touched your life. If anyone would like to add their own pictures or posts, please email me at RoyJWilson@gmail.com. Thank you all for your support, love, and prayers during this difficult time.


Love,
Bekah