Happy Christmas

I'm sure everyone is enjoying Christmas, spending time with their loved ones and remembering those who sadly cannot be here.

Wreath's, cards and ornaments have been taken down to Christopher and it's heartwarming to know that his friends are still thinking about him, especially at this time of year. All of the family have sent him their love, including myself. Not only have we sent our thoughts and love to my brother but we have also done the same for Grandad John.

I hope everyone enjoy's the holidays and has a great 2013!

Look to the Stars

Over the years people have found various ways to honour and remember the loved ones they have lost. You can plant a tree, adopt an animal, put a plaque on a bench, name a star, name a rose; the list goes on.

We decided to name a star after Chris. It wasn't easy to think of a name. In the end we settled on "C.J. Trooper in Hardcore Heaven". Appropriate, no? For those who didn't know my brother too well, I shall explain. C and J are Chris's initials (Christopher John). Trooper is the name of Chris's dog who he adored and she pretty much went everywhere with him. Hardcore is because he loved his Happy Hardcore music and Heaven is self explanatory.

This is the star map you receive which shows you the location of the named star.

This is the certificate you receive. It's so pretty!

Speaking of stars, every year in Bradford there is a Lord's Mayor's Appeal for charity. It is at Christmas (well, in December) and you donate £5 per star, putting the name of the loved one on the star and hanging it on the Christmas Tree in the Town Hall.



This is one of stars we hung on the tree for Chris. We do this every year.

This is a picture of the tree.


What do you do to remember those you love?

Music of Life

I love it when I go somewhere and I hear a song that reminds me of Chris. It happens more frequently than I expected. It can be quite emotional but it mostly makes me smile. Sometimes I will request a song, when I'm out, that he used to listen to.

This song definitely reminds me of my brother! Many times I was woken or kept up late at night by this song. My brother loved playing his music loud and with a lot of base. The house shook, literally haha. If the bedroom window was open the entire street could hear his music.

Chris enjoyed most dance music (mainly 90's dance!) but he really loved his Happy Hardcore music. Shooting Star, Heart of Gold, Braveheart Theme, Fly on the Wings of Love and Field of Dreams are the ones that really remind me of Chris.

We played Field of Dreams at his funeral. I do find it hard to listen to this one but still love the song!

What music reminds you of Chris? Do you listen to anything to feel a little closer to him?

By the way, he took my Aqua CD and he used to listen to Smurfs! Yup, thought I'd add that embarrassing fact :p



Today is the Day

Actually, yesterday was Christopher's anniversary. This post is coming a day late, sorry. Don't think anyone can believe it has been nine years. Though it was a difficult day we made our trip to the cemetery to leave flowers for him.

These are the roses me and my mum took down.

These are the verses in the book in the chapel

Better look at the book

Just want to say thank you to everyone who continues to show their support and who continues to remember Chris.



Introduction

Hello everyone. This page is in memory of my brother, Christopher John Holgate.

 

On the 19/07/2012, which will be Thursday this week, it will be the 9th anniversary of Christopher's death.

Chris was twenty-one when his life was taken in a car accident. He had been on a night out with a work friend. His friend had been drinking and lost control of the car until it smashed into a wall. They both lost their lives that night.

I am creating this blog so that people who knew Chris can put up posts of their own, look at pictures, talk about things that remind them of Chris or talk about things they wish they could share with Chris if he was still here. If you want anything to appear in a post then please email me here. I'll make sure it is put up on this page.

I will gradually post pictures, stories and items that we've had for years. I hope you will all take part in this blog and I hope it makes you feel that little bit closer to my brother.

On a final note for this first post, please look at the post on my personal blog regarding National Transplant Week. It took place last week and has a lot to do with Chris as he was a donor, and he saved lives by being a donor.