Luke and Ginger

(Blatantly plagiarized from the Nerdery Blog)

There are only good ways to honor the memory of Nick, Nate, Noah and Luke Bucklin. Here’s another: Buy something cool for a kid you’ll probably never know, and know that your gift will make their holiday season better (yours, too). We’re collecting presents geared toward kids ages 12-14 in remembrance of Nick (14), Nate (14), Noah (12) and Luke (forever 40, going on about 14). Toys for Tots historically has fulfilled unmet needs for gifts for boys and girls in their early teens.

Today, we - Ginger, Sarah, Samantha, Oliver and Michelle, along with friends and family - are honoring Luke, Nate, Nick and Noah Bucklin on this, the anniversary of their deaths.
We are touched by all the love and support we've received (thanks for wearing blue!). We can feel the power of your countless prayers. And, we are comforted by all of the memories you share.
But, we are also celebrating our boys' lives and passion for community, technology and family through the newly forming Bucklin Family Foundation (www.BFF.mn).

Today, January 20th, is Noah's birthday. If he were still with us, he would have become a teenager today.

Noah's incredible energy and huge heart touched so many around him. He was the first to volunteer for virtually any job. First to offer a kind word. And first to give a hug to someone in need.

Tomorrow, on December 16th, 2010, Nick and Nate would have turned 15 years old.

We had many hopes for the boys during their 15th year. They both would have started driving. They'd start thinking about colleges. Nick would have bought the car that he was saving for. Nate would have tried out for the Southwest basketball and track teams.

And yet, now we turn our thoughts to their memories and honoring the bright, wonderful kids they are.

Here are some ways you can help honor Nick & Nate on their 15th birthday:

- Wear Blue for the Bucklins B-Day on Thursday, December 16th, 2010. Special thanks to the Kinneys for organizing this!

This holiday season, to help honor the Bucklin Boys, I'm hoping you'll join the Toys for Tots drive started by Nerdery alumnus Mitch Buckland. We're rallying the Twin Cities community to donate gifts for youth between the ages of 12 and 14, in honor of Nick (14), Nate (14), Noah (12) and Luke (40, going on about 14).

Historically, Toys for Tots receives ample gifts for small children – actual tots – but struggles to fulfill the unmet needs of underserved early teens. But not this year, eh?

Since October 25th, our family has felt indebted to all who were involved in the search and rescue efforts for our boys.

This week, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty honored us by sending a formal letter of recognition to Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, whose state led all the search efforts and coordination of various agencies. We're thankful for the support from Governor Pawlenty and all the people of Minnesota who have helped us through this difficult time. Governor Pawlenty's letter reads:

The Honorable Dave Freudenthal
Governor
State of Wyoming
State Capitol, 200 West 24th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0010

Dear Governor Freudenthal:

For those who haven't yet seen the awesome memorial at the Nerdery, check out Lego Luke.

To me, this is a perfect example of someone using their gifts to impact the world. Too often, we try to learn new skills in an effort to make a difference. Our human nature leads us to focus on what we don't know, what we can't affect, and what we'd do if given more resources.

But, Dan Piscitiello - who created Lego Luke - shows us that the best things, the most meaningful actions, come from within us. There is so much that we can do, by using our passion to impact what we can control.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for many things...

I'm thankful for more than a decade of love and laughter with my soulmate.
For the honor of helping to raise six kids to be kindhearted, honest and wise.
For the blessings that Sarah, Sami and Oliver continue to bring me each day.
For the ever-present immersion in love and caring that I feel from those around me.
For the kindness of those whom I haven't met but have reached out to us nonetheless.
And for the love of Jesus Christ, to whom I owe all that I am and ever can be.

Deep thanks to all who attended this past weekend's services, both in person and online. Please note that if you missed Saturday's service, you can still watch it in its entirety. Special appreciation to all those who volunteered their time and talents to make the services so meaningful -- the venues, organization, balloons, meals, messages, songs, ushering, and technology support were all the result of your efforts. Thanks is not enough.

A sincere thanks to all who have offered your gifts over the past few weeks. We remain overwhelmed by your generosity, support and prayers.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, we hope you'll consider giving to the Bucklin Family Fund.

We are still working out all the details, but are proud to announce that donations to this fund will be used to launch the Bucklin Family Foundation, a nonprofit designed to help families come together through the power of technology. Luke and I dreamed of creating the Bucklin Family Foundation since 2007, so I'm deeply moved that, with your support, our dream is starting to take shape. Luke would be so proud.

Watch for more information about the Bucklin Family Foundation to be posted here in the coming weeks.