A Poignant Anniversary

To the Editor:

Today marks the first anniversary of our son’s death. Can it really be 365 days? Greg was and is such an important part of our everyday life, that it’s hard to believe that he is no longer physically with us.

Oh, to say it has been a difficult year doesn’t begin to express our feelings. I really do not know how we survived except through the physical help and prayers of our friends, neighbors, students from the class of 2001, and people who I barely knew just 365 days ago. You held us up and helped us through every day with calls, dinners, hugs and, of course, balloons. I had two groups of graduating seniors visit me the very day of graduation, with flowers and balloons in hands, and hugs.

Greg was truly a remarkable young man. Just 17 years old and taken from us all. He was stricken with AML, a form of leukemia, just prior to Christmas 1999. Greg was attending his swimming practice and would come home and take a nap. The Boys’ Swimming and Diving Team was so important to him, he would be a co-captain his senior year. The marching band was another favorite of his; Greg was to be a drum major in his senior year. And let’s not forget the yearbook. Greg was looking to join his fellow co-editors to create a remarkable senior book.

Well, we know life sometimes doesn’t play out as planned. Greg would not finish his senior year, graduate and attend college to study architecture. What did it matter that he was inducted into National Spanish and Honor Societies? Greg completed his junior year with the help of such caring and wonderful teachers, Mrs Wolfson, Mrs Dietter, Ms Petro, Mrs Twohig, Mr Ryder, and Mr Dumas. He loved learning from them. Mrs Jeri Waterbury, his guidance counselor, was our life-line. Not only did she arrange for tutoring, but Jeri would listen to Greg and me, too. Jeri was a real help to us all. Greg loved all the cards, calls, visits and, of course, the balloons.

We all thought Greg was on the road to a full recovery. His 21-year-old sister, Jen, was the perfect match for a white stem-cell transplant. Jen had to undergo injections to increase her blood count, have a bone marrow tap all while completing her senior year at Quinnipiac University. Jen did graduate, she is a remarkable young lady.

Greg returned for some classes in September and even marched as a Drum Major along with Ali Themel and Andrew Portnoy in Newtowns’ famous Labor Day Parade. On, it was a real push for him, but anyone who knew Greg wasn’t surprised. When he made up his mind to do something, you couldn’t convince him otherwise.

Greg has taught us many things: Always try your best, always be a friend, accept people for who they are, and balance your life with learning and school activities, don’t let one overshadow the other. And of course, to smile, dance, play music, and sail off into the sunset.

Now is the time to end this letter. Thank you, Newtowners for all the help, fundraisers, dinners, and support. Let us learn from Greg’s life. Greg was born on July 26 and died when he was 17 years old on October 26, 2000. It was a day many people will always remember. What’s important now?

OK, Greg, I did it. I finished this letter. Until we are all together sailing off into the sunset, you’ll just be over the horizon to us.

Sincerely,

Ginny, John, and Jen Chion

10 Cobblers Mill Road, Sandy Hook October 24, 2001