As many of you know, on 5/20/19, our world lost a beloved husband, father, brother, son, uncle, friend, cousin, colleague and community member. While he may not be on this earth with us any longer, it is without a doubt that I know Darren will continue to live on in all of our stories and memories. On this day, what would have been his 45 birthday, we would like to take this opportunity to share his words with you. Darren wrote many things prior to his passing for those close to him, but he also wrote this short, but poignant facebook post in an effort to reach all of the people in his life no matter how infrequent their contact or how far in the past their lives connected.
“So I’m not a big poster on Facebook. Maybe an occasional new picture once a year or so. So i guess it’s fitting that this is my final post. I had a long disease that I could not outrun, out maneuver, trick, or beat any longer. I lived a good 44 years, not quite long enough, but I’ve tried hard everyday. I am surrounded by my amazing wife, my three beautiful girls, and tons of friends and family who have been here for me through a lot. I can’t offer you much, any secrets, or anything for you to enhance and cherish your days. All I can say is that every morning you open your eyes, you have a chance for a good day. See you on the other side.” -DML
In honor of Darren’s birthday and the inspiring life Darren led, we would like to have a place for family and friends to go and tell stories about Darren, enjoy the quiet or take your kids to play on the playground. We have chosen to place a bench at Milton Park in Glencoe. Our family affectionately called this park the “dizzy park.” I wrote Darren’s eulogy at this park. When we need to collect our thoughts, take a break from the day or connect with Darren, we go to this park and swing on the swing or sit on the bench and feel him in the stillness. We hope you will do the same. We would like this bench to be a gift from a cross section of people in Darren’s life so we created a Go Fund Me page to do so.
“So I’m not a big poster on Facebook. Maybe an occasional new picture once a year or so. So i guess it’s fitting that this is my final post. I had a long disease that I could not outrun, out maneuver, trick, or beat any longer. I lived a good 44 years, not quite long enough, but I’ve tried hard everyday. I am surrounded by my amazing wife, my three beautiful girls, and tons of friends and family who have been here for me through a lot. I can’t offer you much, any secrets, or anything for you to enhance and cherish your days. All I can say is that every morning you open your eyes, you have a chance for a good day. See you on the other side.” -DML
In honor of Darren’s birthday and the inspiring life Darren led, we would like to have a place for family and friends to go and tell stories about Darren, enjoy the quiet or take your kids to play on the playground. We have chosen to place a bench at Milton Park in Glencoe. Our family affectionately called this park the “dizzy park.” I wrote Darren’s eulogy at this park. When we need to collect our thoughts, take a break from the day or connect with Darren, we go to this park and swing on the swing or sit on the bench and feel him in the stillness. We hope you will do the same. We would like this bench to be a gift from a cross section of people in Darren’s life so we created a Go Fund Me page to do so.
Organizer
Allison Lindner Latimer
Organizer
Glencoe, IL