I miss you. This is such a difficult time of year for everybody you left behind. I am sure it is just beautiful and so happy where you are. That helps me get through this.
Mom

This weekend was very difficult, but Friday was the worst. Even though it wasn't the date of the accident it was the day. I had replayed in my mind (from three-thirty on) the entire afternoons events. As I saw the buses running it made me very sad. I imagined how happy and excited you were when Friday came around. You always had your plans mapped out, as I know you did for that weekend as well. It's really hard to pass by the middle school, and see all the kids your age going about their routines. There were no trips to Dominion this year, and no one to ask me to order clothes from the CCS magazine for back to school. I still get your magazine and look through it. I wish I could still just buy you something. It was a very quiet back to school, no trips to Walmart, no papers to fill out, no teachers to meet. All the things that drove me crazy, I truly long to do them again. I know by now you were usually counting down till your birthday (marking off the days). I think about what a big one this would have been. You would have been a teenager this year, you would have probably grown a foot, maybe your voice would have changed....I guess I won't ever know. With the end of the first year comes the reality that you are not coming back, and I am not going to have you for a long time or until God says I can. I know to some it sounds crazy, but last year at this time I truly thought the world was coming to an end. I think it was because such a huge part of my world ended. A part of me died. A part of me couldn't bear to go on. So naturally my thought was that it must be Gods time to return. I didn't think that he could leave me here in this state of pain. I have learned over the last year that God does not operate that way, and that many others have lost loved ones and had to walk this same road (God Bless them all!). God has shown me that his grace is sufficient to get me through the toughest trial. Everytime that I miss you and cry out for you.... I hear His voice and it tells me that he has you. He tells me that he loves you more than I do (unimagineable). He knew of this tradgedy and trial before the world was ever created. Everyday I feel a little bit stronger, but that does not mean a minute goes by that I am not wondering what you are doing. I know you are happy and worshipping God. I know you are cheering us on till that day we get to be with you in heaven. When I don't feel like praying or worshipping.... I feel your encouragement because I know you want your family and friends to be with you again. I remember when you were a little bitty boy, you told me that you were going to build your house in my front yard so you could be with me forever. I never thought much about that other than it was so cute, but now I think that one day your mansion might be right in front of mine. Save a place. I love you Zachary forever. Love Mom

Zachary, you would have been so proud today. Everyone was skating in your memory, and we were all there missing you so much. There were people that would come up and say " I knew that kid, and he would out skate me every time". Some people just visited the website through our advertising, and wanted to come out and be a part of the event. It is so hard sometimes to watch all of your friends skating, and you not being right in the middle of them. Somehow, today I felt like you were there watching. I think you were smiling down on us. I am sure you wished you could show us some tricks, and what I would give to have just one more chance to watch them. It breaks my heart, because I can't have you here with me. Sometimes, when I look at Jacob, I see your eyes and rosy red cheeks. The other day he fell asleep in my bed, and when I woke up and saw him for just a brief moment I thought it was you. I think when you left me God knew I would need to see you every now and then. I know that is probably crazy, but Pastor Forbush told me once that God always provides us with what we need to make it through trials such as these. He never leaves us. I am thankful for that. I wish so much that Jacob would have had the opportunity to have you as a big brother. He is doing all the things that you warned us he was going to do. I know you are smiling about that too. At least he won't have to hurt as bad as we all do. I will tell him all about you, and everything that you loved to do. One day we will all be together forever. I love you, Zack.

We would like to invite all of Zachary's friends and classmates from Chesterfield and Buckingham to leave comments on this website. I know that some of you shared your feelings on the Blileys web site and on the Richmond Times Dispatch website. It was truly touching to read your thoughts and stories about Zack. We would like to use this place as a place to honor Zachary and be able to share our feelings. Even if you want to just leave your name and a simple comment, you are welcome to do so. Just click on the word comments below this paragraph and scroll down till you see the box to type in. We look forward to hearing from you.

Over the past several days I have thought about how I was supposed to spend this Thanksgiving. Does God actually expect for me to give thanks for the things that have happened in my life this year? There were days that I thought..... Surely I should be let off the hook (at least for this year). As I searched my heart for the answer, I was reminded of a letter I received from an old classmate. He spoke of the trials and tribulations that Job went through in the old testament, and the scripture that he spoke of was Job 23:10. It says.... But he knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. I have taken that as my life verse, because I believe that through this trial I can choose to either be made stronger or I can choose to give up and let life take it's miserable toll on me. So today, (even though my heart is so heavy) I thought I would be thankful for all that I still have, but more importantly the special time that I had with Zachary. I am so thankful that one day soon we will be reunited for eternity. I am so blessed by reading everyones comments, and to see that Zachary's life can still have such an impact on people.
Vicki (MOM)

Today was very hard. It would have been Zack's 12th birthday. He is in my heart and in my thoughts every second of every day, but today my pain was much greater. What a happy day this usually is for our family. How excited Zack would be when his feet hit the floor on the morning of his birthdays. I missed that this morning more than anyone will ever know. I am grateful for those of you that visited us at the cemetary or just came by to give us support through your friendship. It made today much easier than it would have been.
Vicki (mom)

If you could hear me right now, I would tell you that I feel so lost without you. You were my pride and joy. I am trying so hard to be strong, but it is very difficult. I cannot wait to see you and hold you again. Somedays are just so hard and so long. I pray that God will continue to give me the strength to face each day without you here.
Hugs and Kisses.
I Love You,
Mom
P.S. When I ask Jacob where his Zacky is.... he raises his hands to heaven everytime!

Both Vicki and Rick greatly appreciate all of the support from family, friends, and even strangers during this difficult time. They welcome each visitor to leave comments to their posts if they so desire.

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I can remember vividly the day Zack was born. And the day he left us constantly replays in my mind. What seems to keep me going is all of the time between. Everyone had their own personal time with Zack and his influence seemed to be great. Always by my side , always helpful , and interested in the reason for every action , he is still with me and always on my mind. I can only hope to have a fraction of the influence on the people in my life that Zack did.