The Murphy Boys

Dear Friends, Family and Loved Ones I am writing to all of you because you have touched our lives in a significant way.  This is the hardest letter I have ever had to write so I will keep it brief. My dear, sweet, strong, shining and loving Ayrie passed away 9/29/09. Ayrie lived a happy and full four years.  Over this last week he shone so brightly, falling asleep with a grin on his face, giving his family extra hugs, learning to count to 100 and appreciating everything and everyone…read more

This is a repost from my sister’s blog.  She wrote it on March 29th, 2010, exactly six months before Ayrie’s death. This post is a very personal one. It’s one that I’ve been wanting to write for more than two years but it’s been too hard, and although I’ve attempted, I’ve never gotten through it before. This is not about clay, but it helps to explain why I sometimes disappear from writing for periods of time. It can feel disingenuous for me to write here without acknowledging this part of…read more

this is the second summer that we were able to visit the arboretum with Gay. we might even be starting our own traditions! I’ve posted a few photos below.

Today while Richard and Brent we running the half marathon in Chicago with Richard and Christa were cheering them on, the boys and I were sitting in out backyard. We were taking advantage of a spectacular late summer morning by drawing pictures of our home and the people we love with chalk on our back yard path. Richard sent a text while we were drawing with a beautiful photo of him with a ribbon around his neck, holding a thank you sign. Ayrie asked me what the sign meant and…read more

I let some news slip before it’s time!  If you are reading this email you probably know what I am talking about.  so please don’t say anything until you hear more.  soooooo sorry.

Okay, Ayrie doesn’t call it a spreadsheet but look at it, it’s a grid!  He loves data and logic so much that I was thinking lawyer… but maybe researcher?

8/16/10 Ed: That looks like one of those fake rocks that hides a key. Laura: That’s a huge rock.  It would have to be a pretty big key! Ayrie: Yeah, like a key to the universe!

8/21/10 the coffee is in my back! translation: the coffee is behind me can I have a bite of your coffee? translation: can I have a sip of your diet-coke? 8/17/10 I’m a snap-snap and I am going to eat you up! translation: I’m a shark and when I eat you with my strong jaws they are going to go SNAP!