In Memoriam - Garrett Rinehart

Family update from Melissa Rinehart - Christmas 2006

Merry Christmas!

I hope this card and letter finds you enjoying the holiday season. We are! The kids and I enjoyed putting up our Christmas tree and outdoor lights after Thanksgiving. Sam & Stephanie are really good at putting up ornaments! They also enjoy watching all the holiday movies on TV. My favorite is still How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Looking back, I must say this has been a pretty good year. Over the summer we spent a lot of time visiting family and friends. Sam & Stephanie really enjoyed playing with their cousins, and their grandparents. We also took a family trip to downtown Chicago where we saw the sights. Of course, the train ride there was one of the highlights.

We’ve also appreciated spending time in Bloomington. There are a lot of good family activities in town that the kids enjoy. I can honestly say I feel settle here in our house and in this town. It feels like home.

This fall, Sam & Stephanie started kindergarten. They certainly seem to enjoy it. They are making new friends, having fun in their classes, and learning some stuff along the way. I’ve spent the fall working on some projects and just taking it day by day. As for the future, we will just wait and see what 2007 holds for us. Mostly, I am just enjoying the kids at this age and just taking it all in.

Love to all, Melissa

Thank you letter from Melissa following FriendSToc III

I want to say a (bit belated) Thank You to all the riders of the FriendSTOC and for the money raised for Sam & Stephanie’s education fund. I apologize for the late reply; it’s just been a busy summer.

If you would please pass along my sincere gratitude to all your motorcycle buddies I would appreciate it. It means a lot to me, and my family. It’s not just about the education fund, while that is truly appreciated. The fact that you remember Garrett with a ride each year, that you take time to remember those who loved to ride as much as you do, that’s what warms my heart and makes me smile. I know, if Garrett was alive and the ride was for another fallen rider he’d be right there enjoying the companionship and ride.

So thank you for remembering him.

I’ve attached to pictures of the kids on their first day of school. They started kindergarten a couple of weeks ago.

Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Melissa Rinehart