Dear friends and honorary family members of our Yates family
I was astounded at what you did for us to uplift us, all for the sake of Robert's memory, in his perfectly beautiful memorial service at his school yesterday.
From the beautiful music

 

including the rendition of Over the Rainbow by ukele which I do not have a photo of but I loved it,

to the many speeches of how Robert changed so many lives, it eased us and soothed us who are here at home, going on getting by without our sweet Robert.
As we have always felt that there was something more to Robert than can ever be expressed in a
regular way,  so you affirmed that, so powerfully and genuinely that we were just completely brought to a level of happiness I didn't think we could achieve right now. And we couldn't, without all of you.
I am not publishing photos which will impinge upon anyone's privacy, I hope.
Here are just a few.

 Here is a photo some of  the many many people who were attending and also who made this happen.

The easels are four posters full of photos of Robert through the years, which the teachers had taken and arranged beautifully. The large screen had a big picture of Robert on it!

I am up at the podium with one of Robert WONDERFUL teachers.
Robert loved school.
If you had the teachers Robert had, and went to Robert's schools, YOU would love school to.
He never wanted to miss school!
I always knew why, but I truly saw through Robert's teachers and friends even more why.
This memorial was to dedicate a birdhouse to Robert in the garden of the school.
In the end, there were four birdhouses, one for EACH  school he attended and one for us. I am holding ours. I have never had such a treasure. Robert loved birds most of all. I do not know who made it! I will find out.
It is a true work of art, just like Robert.
Jim and I thank you all and love you all.

Here is a link to Somewhere Over the Rainbow as sung by IZ, on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=V1bFr2SWP1I&feature=endscreen
love,
Jeannie