When you came into our lives you brought music and laughter with you. Thank you for teaching me about good music and that no matter what I thought at thirteen, most boy bands don't make the cut.

Some of my favorite memories are of Earthbound practicing at our house or being allowed to go with you when you had a gig. I had my designated seat directly beside the speaker. I loved my speaker seat where i could ignore everything around me and just concentrate on music. I learned the words to most of your songs that way. You taught me the right way to wind cords so that I could help breakdown the equipment at the end of the night. You also tried to teach me how to play the guitar but i wasn't patient enough to learn. I couldn't get past sore fingers and the repetition it takes to learn to play.

You were there as I went through my more dramatic years. I knew that if I had a problem I could talk to you and you tried to help me without being judgmental or critical. You taught me to make people earn my respect and love instead of blindly giving it to them. You also taught me to fight for things and people that are important to me. Although I never saw you get into a physical fight - I knew that you would if you needed to defend your kids and that made me feel safe.

You and mom were there to support me in everything school-related. You showed that you were proud of me by showing up for my elementary school, junior high, high school and college graduations and every choir concert, award ceremony or spelling bee in between. You helped with homework when I needed it and drove me to school many mornings.

You taught me that little things - like a heart-shaped potato- are worthy of committing to memory. Admiration of the little things in life helped me in writing classes in college. Thank you for being there to hug me when I missed my first word in the city spelling bee. You and mom were waiting in the hall to tell me that you were proud of me for getting as far as I did. Spelling in front of all of those people made me freeze...You always taught me that it's important to face my fears, so I'm in front of people here today to honor your memory and to celebrate your life. I'd like to finish this up by thanking you for Patrick. When he plays guitar he gets the same expression of concentration on his face that you did. He has been making me laugh when I feel like crying practically since the day he was born. Your legacy of music and laughter and caring lives on in him everyday Thank you for everything you've given us over the years. I love you. love, renate..