Derek Pimentel Memorial Fund -DPMF

Well writen… 🙏🏻😇🥰

People mean well.
They offer advice.
They tell you how strong you are.
They say things like “they’d want you to be happy,” or “at least they’re not suffering.”
They talk about closure. About moving on. About staying positive.

But here’s the thing—
Until you’ve sat in the front row at a funeral…
Until you’ve looked at a casket and felt like the world cracked open…
Until you’ve had to stand there and say goodbye when you weren’t ready—
You don’t really know.

You don’t know how grief rearranges every part of you.
You don’t know how long the silence lasts after everyone else goes back to normal.
You don’t know what it’s like to carry someone in your heart because you can no longer carry them in your life.

So, if you haven’t been there yet, I’m truly glad.
I hope that day doesn’t come for you for a very, very long time.
But please—
Don’t tell me how I should be grieving.
Don’t tell me what joy should look like right now.
Just sit with me. Walk beside me.
Or let me be.

Because unless you’ve sat in the front row…
You don’t get to hold the mic.
Written by: Aimee Suyko - In Their Footsteps

Always in my prayers ~ Forever in my heart! ♥️🙏🏻😇

This year the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems so short… tried to create a winter snow look with items I’ve already had. The ground is already frozen a little so I couldn’t pull my plants. I’ll have to cut them down!! The sun rays were spectacular today. ☃️🙏🏻😇♥️🌞 Always on my mind and most definitely forever In my heart!! Joanne Demers

Time is a precious gift .. As we approach Thanksgiving I’m reminded of the “time” I’ve been here on earth without my soulmate Derek by my side … I’m truly grateful for him… For all that I am in my life is because of him; the time that we had together molded me into the person I became once he was gone… And we’ve done so many wonderful things in his memory over the years, and I treasure that a d the memories above all else. I am most grateful for it! Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and a time to count our blessings and think about all the wonderful things we have…. not about the things we don’t have… I am most grateful for the people in my life who are true, honest, and loving to me… Happy 🍂🍁Thanksgiving 2025!! -♥️Joanne 🍁🍂

No doubt ..

#imissyou #missingyou #viral #sunset

Monday August 25th - Derek’s 48th Birthday!! Party in the heavens with all our loved ones Derek!! You are missed beyond measure, words, and love!!! Until we meet again…. 😇🙏🏻♥️ We started dating 30 years ago!!! Time goes by in a blink of an eye!!! ♥️ Love always, Jo-Jo

Derek over 30 years ago maybe longer we began a true friendship together; even though you have been gone for 24 years now, you are thought of and remembered each and every day!! Love always! 🙏🏻😇♥️

Although my life didn't mirror this movie, the poignant tale of fleeting love resonated deeply - I felt fortunate to have shared six incredible years with someone special. Even after all this time, the story's impact lingered, stirring emotions I thought had faded. If you have Netflix, I highly recommend this thoughtful and evocative film that explores the complexities of love. Wishing you a reflective weekend, filled with warmth and connection. Thinking of you, Derek!! 🙏🏻😇♥️

I’m so grateful he picked me!!!

Dereks grave is cleaned up for spring. Hopefully it lasts all summer; if not we just do it all over again.

🇺🇸♥️🙏🏻😇🇺🇸

Thoughts and prayers being sent this week to my long time friend “Gene Daniels” who passed away on March 25, 2021, a valued member of the DPMF and worked tirelessly on all events and scholarships as well as Karen Canastra who passed away March 29, 2021 (Century House) who also was a part of our DPMF Family. They are both treasured friends and missed beyond words!! 🙏🏻♥️😇☦️