Celebrations of Life
Memorial Day 2005 (May 30th) would prove to be a most trying time. Our son, William D. Ladd II, "Bj," and Bj's Maternal Grandmother, Essie Byrd Smith, both passed away (thousands of miles apart) that very day. Photos below are first a collection of Bj's dearest friends and some with family members he loved so very much. At the link in this sentence, I've added a bit of inspiring correspondence I've received. Each email written with such genuinely heartfelt emotions, from those who have been so generous in sharing such feelings with me. I am always extremely grateful to be the recipient of someone's inner feelings. Having another open their heart to you is so incredibly special. This is what life... and death... are all about: How we handle the difficult times. It is truly what makes all the difference between living happily on this earth or suffering miserably in never ending grief. It's YOUR life... and it is what YOU make it!
May this website continue to inspire others to live their dreams and be comforted in knowing that death is such a huge part of life. We must keep our losses, no matter how much it pains us, in the proper perspective. We show the world that we ourselves are living tributes to those we have lost. We have been blessed to be touched with their lives and their death. Even though they are gone from this earthly life, every memory of the joy we have in loving them is one more joy closer to giving us the strength to find a way to move forward each and every day.
Bj, an avid sailor and scuba diver, loved the seas and all its creatures. Somewhere, years ago, I heard about a company that made artificial reefs to help fight against the depletion of natural coral reefs and their inhabitants. It seemed so fitting that we have an Eternal Reef Memorial cast in our son's memory. Our Bj would truly become one with the seas and the marine life he so cherished. I've always loved a quote from President John F. Kennedy's "The Sea" speech, which he gave in September of 1962 during the America Cup races held in Newport, RI. For our son who wanted to be at one with the sea, Kennedy's words become so poignant. The link which follows will take you to where you can read that most famous excerpt of Kennedy's speech, as well as view a pictorial of the making of Bj's Eternal Reef Memorial and a few of the most special, most wonderful people we met while sharing the same mission.
For your convenience, after you've look through it you may then select a link provided there that will bring you right back to this page or you may opt to return to our Home Page. We hope you enjoy seeing this creative alternative method of paying tribute to loved ones who have transitioned. It truly is a wonderful, and most fitting tribute to our son, as well as a way to encourage a flourish of marine life which quickly inhabit the Eternal Reef Memorials. Bj's Eternal Reef Memorial
A photo gallery is below: from the Celebration of the Life for Bj and his Grandmother, held at Lake Springfield, Illinois; and from the two Celebrations of Life for Bj held in Marathon, Florida Keys; and St. Croix, USVI (including pics from the "Celebration of Life and William Dean Ladd III College Fund Benefit*," held by Bj's friends who wanted to do something -- and something they surely did! The Benefit was held at Sombrero Dockside Marina, Marathon, FL on July 2nd 2005). Our thanks to one and all who made all these Celebrations and Events a huge success. A special, special thanks to Dockside's: "Too Tall" Lee (my Aussie brother and such a dear, dear friend to Bj who worked so hard to coordinate the Benefit); "Dave the Slave," "Roy," who said Bj sang like Mel Torme (and must have gotten that from his Father's side); Mark and "The Conch Republic" Band who took such good care of us and all of whom loved our son; Joe Mama; Dan Sullivan (One of Bj's closest friends... they had so much fun singing together); and our heartfelt gratitude to the Owners and remaining staff of Sombrero Dockside Marina who gave so much to ensure the Benefit would be a success. What loving friends Bj had. We'll never forget your kindness, love, and overwhelming generosity.
~ Bless you all. ~
*Contributions to the William D. Ladd III College Fund are being handled by:
Bank President Susan Darling, c/o Illini Bank of Divernon, 133 Dodds Street, Divernon, IL 62530.
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love... and be loved in return." - E. Abez
"A Celebration of Life... No tears, 'lest those tears of joy for having loved me."
- Charmaine Smith Ladd
Celebration of Life for Bj at Sombrero Dockside Marina
Saturday, July 2, 2005
(Click on each photo for larger picture.)
Celebration of Life for Bj at Sombrero Dockside Marina
Saturday, July 2, 2005
Garth, our dear friend; Sweet Janet (& husband Greg) Cauble; Pirate Dave who so loved our son; Sweet Sister Katie Adams, whom we adore and cherish; Lovely "Dolphin" Julie of England, a dear friend of our son.
Bj's Father Bill says a few words of thanks as Mom holds Charlie near; Freddy Bye Band; Bj's great friend (and brother forever) Richie on drums; Sherri and Bruce who say Bj was the first one to welcome them to Marathon; Bj's great, great friend and Brother Josh (ola) Keilty and Josh's sweetheart Deb(ola) Robinson. We love you Josh.
Dockmaster Deputy Dave; Charmaine and Sweet Donna who loved our son so much; Big Twin Tom Benelli and his Little Twin Charmaine; Sweet Dolphin Lady Carol and Charmaine; Bj's good friend "Red."
Chris of s/v Magus with Charmaine; Delly; Dave, Lee and Bj's "Sissy," Teresa; Pirate Dave; Dockside full of well wishers; the Conch Republic Band jams with our great friend Roy and Mayor John Bartus.
Mary and Mike; The Conch Republic Band (thanks Marc); Lynn and Rick; Little Jack; "Too Tall Lee" and Dave; the Mayor of Marathon, Florida, John Bartus, on guitar and sweet vocals.
Mike sang Bj's signature song: "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay." Rob our great friend; Sweet Parise and Charmaine talk; Nurse Rick, Charmaine sandwiched between the best slices of white bread in the world: Munchkin Kathy and her husband, our dear brother Captain Jack. Jack went on the sail to St. Croix with Bj. To right, Bj's buddy Roy.
Jen of s/v Miss Hazel with Red-head Jen dancing to the music. Freddy Bye Band played "Freebird" as we had Bj's sister, Breighan on the telephone listening (and crying) together. Oh Freddy, how we thank you and your Band.
Top row: Katie Adams; Parise and Charmaine embrace; Yani's daughter and friend; Second Row: Charmaine and Dockmaster "Deputy" Dave embrace; Charmaine with Bj's and sister Breighan's great friend "New" (Mark) (he's like a son to us); Roy and Mike jam at the event.
Thanks to all the musicians who gave their hearts and their time. We love you all.
Below: Mike sings "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay," Bj's signature song.
Celebration of Life at Sombrero Resort & Lighthouse Marina,
Celebration of Life at Lake Springfield, Illinois, & Gatherings at Grandpappy's
{1: Front row: Bj's son Will and Bj's daughter, Diana: Back Row Bj's son Will's mother Melissa, Bj's grandfather "Grandpappy" Robert Smith, Bj's daughter Diana's mother Rebecca, and Bj's sister Breighan}{2: Charmaine's sister [Bj & Breighan's Aunt] Cheyenne holding Bj's daughter Diana with Bj's loving sister Breighan} {3: Bj's children: our precious granddaughter Diana, and our precious grandson Will. How wonderful and blessed it is to have two such precious little gifts in our lives} and {5: Our granddaughter, Bj's daughter Diana, with her loving mother Rebecca}.
