A Brother's Words; A Sister's Thoughts by Cindy Campbell

Not too long ago, I had the great joy of hearing some remarkable stories from Chris' best friend, Joe. He referenced my mom in his recollections and since it's Mother's Day, I thought it would be perfect to share one of his special memories from when he first met Chris, with his permission. Thank you, Joe! "I met Chris in August, 1991, on the practice field for White Oak High School football prior to the start of our junior year. I had a 1969 MG and Chris, being the opportunist that he always was, asked me to give him a ride home after practice. And Mrs. Campbell, being the kind-hearted, second mother that she ultimately became for me , let us eat all the corn dogs she had in the freezer. It was the first day of a friendship that grew into something so much more. Chris and I were inseparable. I grew up in the area and had friends that I had known since kindergarten, but my bond with Chris was different. Even after that first day, I felt like I knew him all of my life. ...

Chris called our mom "Ma" - not sure why or when that became his special way of acknowledging her. To me, it's sweet, and I can still hear him saying it. He was very protective of our mom and so much of his attention to "little things" was a gift from her: singing, whistling, gardening, planting flowers, cooking and baking. It's a southern saying, I believe, and one we heard often, "you can always use a little something sweet"! Having dessert, especially after supper (aka dinner/evening meal), was a part of our lives. It was never anything fancy and might be rice pudding or a homemade cherry cream cheese pie. Treats that came by delivery of an ice cream truck were next level! If they came through your neighborhood growing up, you know that this was an extra special vehicle. Hearing the happy music long before this four wheeled delight carrying delicious desserts made its way down our street was the epitome of childhood joy.  Sundays were sacred day...

On June 24, 1928 twenty-five mothers met in Washington DC. What was the purpose of this meeting? Each of these moms had individual stories of their journey through motherhood, yet it was a united reason that brought them together to make this trip. They were seeking a federal charter from Congress to recognize the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. It took eight, long years but on June 23, 1936, the 74th Congress published a resolution designating the last Sunday of September as Gold Star Mother's Day . In 1944 President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, "There is nothing adequate which anyone in any place can say to those who are entitled to display the Gold Star in their windows. America lives in freedom because of the sacrifices of America's finest citizens and of the mothers [fathers] who raised them." Today, seventy-seven years after this statement was made, this sentiment remains true. I do not know what it is like to suffer the loss of a child. If you are a Gold Star...