Derek Boogard's mother publishes heartbreaking message to her son on the anniversary of his death.

You can not help but feel for this poor woman.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Derek Boogard's mother publishes heartbreaking message to her son on the anniversary of his death.
Bruce Bisping/TNS/Zuma

If you have ever lost someone you truly loved then this will likely hit painfully close to home for you, so fair warning to those of you who are prone to getting emotional. 

It has been 8 years since the hockey world lost beloved former National Hockey League enforcer Derek Boogaard, but for his mother Joanne Boogaard it has been 8 years since she lost her baby boy. I can't pretend to know what those 8 years have been like for Joanne and the Boogaard on family but on Monday she published a message in her local paper that did an excellent job of conveying just how painful a time it has been. It is a message so raw and so real that I fully expect many who read it will be brought to tears.

For the purpose of capturing the spirit of her message here is in full:

Hi Derek, 

8 years have passed and I still wait to hear your voice again, just a phone call to let me know you're OK. Little did I know that the last phone call I missed from you was your last one - oh how I wish to turn back the clock. 

Remembering you is easy, tears fall from my eyes, my heart aches, but when I remember the happy times we had, a smile comes to my face, still so many emotions. I remember your grin, your saying "oh yeah," your eyes that shone with laughter, your walk, your big teddy bear heart you had for everyone.

Your family still copes; days, weeks, months, years have gone by and we stil lcelebrate your birthday, there is always a spot for you at Christmas. Curtis's place at Turtle Lake is beautiful, you would have loved it here, it was yourdream place to have for us all to be together. Gladys is done with Denistry now, we are so very proud of her. Logan has a baby girl (Lila) - wow has he grown up and is finishing up law school. Haden of course is playing hockey (goalie, thank goodness) and thinks of you all the time. Molly is busy with her hockeym baseball, and music. Ryan and Lisa are doing great with your little niece Skylar who is almost 5 now, and knows your name very well from all the pictures we all have of you around our homes. Krysten just finished her 3rd year of nursing school, doing fantastic - another proud moment. Tyson is still firefighting and they also have their wood business which keeps them both super busy (HAGER WOOD SHOP). Aaron and his girlfriend Hailey are expecting a baby in August and doing very well, it's very exciting. You will be sure to know, he will know his Uncle Derek, too. Our family is growing and missing you.

Boston is still working hard with CTE  at making more people aware of the safety of all athletes. Donatin your brain has helped in so many ways, as painful as it was for us. NHL still has a lot of work to do at acknowledging and accepting responsibility for players who have passed and those who are out there with CTE and don't even know it. You did help in getting more awareness out there. People just need to read your book/story by John Branchm BOY on ICE; the facts are all there.

ALWAYS LOVED, NEVER FORGOTTEN, FOREVER MISSED

Mom, Dad, Curtis(Gladys, Logan Haden, Molly), Ryan(Lisa, Skylar), Krysten (Tyson), Aaron (Hailey), many aunts, uncles, cousins and Opa and Oma.

There is nothing more to say. R.I.P. Derek and once again our condolences go out to the Boogaard family.

[pub]


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