Pictures

Here is a website with lots of photos of Dante. Please feel free to take them for yourself.

Love you my Dante!! Dad

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w177/overfiend2222/

Dante's Tribute Video

Please check out Dante's tribute video:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1m3d0_dante-sawyer-tribute

Quality is not that great, but you can still enjoy.

Love you Dante - Dad

Dante's Eulogy

Dante's Eulogy:

O Dante – where have you gone? We miss you so very much. I sat up for many late hours trying to think of what to say. How can you possibly put into words the love a father has for his son? How do you speak about someone who you know you won’t see again for a very long time? How do you?

For that very reason, I will see Dante again. We all will see Dante again some day. With Dante being the kind, think-of-others-first type of young man, I know he is up in Heaven saying, “Please don’t cry. There’s no need. I will be watching over all of you”. And that typifies Dante. Always worried about others. As Lance (Dante’s step dad) said, Dante had a mother hen type of attitude. He would get home from practice and peek in on Natasha, Desiree and AJ – just to make sure they were alright.

I liked to call Dante the “14 year old with no attitude,” although I know that Stephanie would disagree with me! Dante had a special relationship with both his Mother and me – often getting into deep conversations that showed the wisdom he possessed – wisdom that most 14 year olds won’t get until they are thirty.

I remember the trips that we took and Dante’s newfound love of the American West. One of Dante’s favorite memories was when we were at Badlands National Park and we saw a beautiful eagle flying against the huge rock wall that forms that Badlands. The eagle left an incredible shadow on that wall, almost looking like it was in a dance with itself. Whenever I watch that video now, my thoughts will immediately go to Dante.

I was looking forward to many more trips with Dante, showing him some of the things that I have been fortunate enough to see. But alas! Dante will still be there with us when we go, he will just be watching from a place that is far more beautiful then the mountains. And that is the message I want you to leave with today. Dante is not gone. He is all around us. As Dante’s step-mom Valerie said, “He is in the warm sunshine that hits your shoulder. His is the gentle breeze that blows through your hair. ”

Dante was an excellent big brother. He loved his siblings so very much. There is an excellent story about the time that AJ fell off his bike and Dante swore that someone beat his kid brother up. Dante wanted to form a “posse” to track down who did this to his brother. That was Dante. Sticking up for his siblings. When he found out that someone was picking on Calvin at the bus stop, Dante offered to go and talk to the boy to encourage him to leave Calvin alone. With his littlest brother, Curtis, Dante was always watching out for him, making sure he was alright.

Dante also loved sports. They gave him enjoyment and focus. Dante often told me that he wanted to stay in sports because it would force him to keep his grades up. Dante had plans – he wanted to go to college and become a police officer – vice squad in particular. He was so enthusiastic about playing for Central. He loved his school and his classmates. And he had another brother – even though they weren’t related by blood. Tyler was Dante’s best friend. I would pick Dante up from Tyler’s house so often that I thought Dante had moved in! My message to you Tyler is that you too will see Dante again some day. Don’t worry. He will still be here with you.

Always remember Dante. That’s all I ask. He was too loving, sweet and fun of a human being to be forgotten. For I know that my son has fused part of himself into me, and I am grateful to God for the wonderful 14 years that Dante was here with us. Dante, God called you home at an early age. There must be some very important purpose that God has for you Dante. And I trust that God knows what he is doing.

Parents, hug your children tonight and tell them that you love them. Kids, even though you think your parents are wacked, please tell them that you love them. For love is our purpose here on earth. I always end my discussions and phone calls with my kids with “I love you”. I recently told Dante that he didn’t have to say he loved me too when he was around his friends or classmates. I gave him that out. But you know what? Dante still said “I love you too Dad,” even at school around his team mates. Wow. What a great son.

Dante – I love you. You know that. And I look forward to the day when you and I will be reunited in heaven. I am expecting a full tour of the place from you and Grandpa. Please continue to look down on us Dante and send your love in any way you can. I will recognize it when it comes. I promise you Dante – I will recognize you.

To Dante, From Dad

Dante - I love you so much.

I look forward to the day when you and I will be reunited in heaven.
Stay strong, like you always were -although I think I am the one who needs your strength!

Love,
Dad