Missing you  / Chrissy Williams (Friend/Fellow Bowling Team mate )
It has been 2 years and it seems like forever ago. I miss you. I graduated high school last year bowling wasn't the same without you. It never will be again. Everytime i bowl i think of you and i always will. I still cant believe you are gone. It wasn't fair and never will be. I will miss you forever and you will always have a place in my heart. I love you.

Chrissy Williams Close

another year  / Rachel Miller (friend)
Hi Heath.  Another year has gone by since you left.  It feels like it went so quickly, yet at other times it feels like it was yesterday.  It still seems sad and unfair to me.  Most of all I miss your optimism.  We could all use a little bit more of it right now.  But I know you're watching out for me and that makes me smile.  Close

Thinking of you...  / Cindy Hassler (Heath's loving mother )

Hi Honey,
We had your 2nd memorial bowling tournament yesterday and it was really nice and so rewarding to honor you. The whole time my heart hurt and all I thought about was how you would have loved to be there bowling. Sis, Shawn, Bob, Olivia and I presented the prices. Tom, William, Jamie and Mike came, along with some guys from Womelsdorf, who you would know. I don't want to tell you wrong names, besides I know you seen for yourself who was there. The winner, I don't think you knew, but he threw the kind of ball you always wanted to throw....the cranker! Towards the end, a young guy walked in and it was like it was you! He looked just like you and he was even smiling. I've been in Berks Lanes 2 times since you left us and it was for your tournaments. We have a busy week coming up for your memorial. I will keep you posted. The best thing is... I am getting another tatoo of your face... at my heart, right where you always are and right where you will always be, except you are in my heart! Heath, I really miss you, I believe it gets harder as the days pass. I can't think we would have chosen this in our book of life, but we were dealt this and you wonder...is this what life is about. Just know that I do really love and miss you and we will be together again and until then I will continue to keep your memory alive and in doing that I feel close to you. Come visit mommy...I look for you all the time!
I LOVE YOU!  Mom      

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I still miss you....  / Chris Hofmann (friend)
Some days I wake up and can't believe your gone.  I think of you everytime I goto work at the tracks.  I know your up there in heaven smiling down, watching all the races therse days.  Thanks for always watching over me when I go over the wall.  I know you keep me safe and I thank you for it....  I miss having you to talk dirt rracing with every day..  Keep watching over us,  youer memory always makes me smile.

-chris Close

Missing you everyday  / Katie Brennan (Friend)

Dear Heath,
I just want you to know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you. I miss you so much! It still doesn't seem quite real to me and understanding it has yet to get easier. But, I do know that you're better where you are. I miss you so much buddy. I love you.<3

Katie

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Wish I had known you!  / Susan McDermott (Wished I had known him )
Dear Heath,
I met your sister(Tina) at the Credit Union yesterday. I heard how courageous you were and I wished I had known you.  I went to get a loan and Tina waited on me. I noticed she smiled when I said I had co-signed my son's car loan and I went on to explain that since my oldest son's (Chuck) death, money didn't mean much anymore. That's how our conversation began about you. I read a couple of your memorials and all the feelings, memories, sadness etc. that I have, they also have. I especially could relate to your Mom's 4th of July....mine was exactly the same. As all of your family has said, life is not the same and never will be. 
I hope you have met my son Chuck in your heavenly travels. He, like you, was/is such a wonderful son. Watch over him till I get there! 
Much love and hugs to both of you, Sue McDermott/Ma Close

Never Forgetting You  / Matt Heffelfinger (Friend)
Heath,

Just stopping by on this summer day to let you know that not a day goes by that I haven't thought about you since you left us. I know you're doing well where you are and I know your watching down on all of us. This would have been a great summer for racing and some roller coasters. You'll never be forgotten by any of us. Your memory lives on and you live on inside of me, I miss you buddy.

God bless,

Matt Close

I'm so thankful for so many shared memories  / Penny Monteleone (step-mother figure )
Hey Sweetie, I miss you , buddy. I had a dream about you ,but in the dream you were very much alive. You were about 10 ,like about when you first entered my life. In the dream, Your father and I had broken up. You stopped by my house for Easter. I did not have an easter basket for you but, I  stole one from GiAnna  and made you a beautiful basket. The whole time you were smiling, just  like you always did!!!!!!
GiAnna's little baby Hayden sleeps in what was your room , in my house .We tell him about you. You  will always live in my heart, I pray for your family alot! I feel most sorry for your mom who always spoiled the hell out of you. Thank God, I was so happy when she called me to ask  me to use my song, "I Miss You" on your site.  I love you Buddy, so does your step-sister GiAnna,  Penny, Close

Missing You!  / Cindy Hassler (mom)
Hi Heath,
Happy 4th of July! I wish you were here to go to the fire works, but I guess you really have a good look at all the displays. We didn't go to see any, but the neighbors shot some off. Things just are not as important anymore without you here. I know you probably would have gone with your friends, but at least we all would have had fun, and I know you would have been having a good time. Our lives have changed since you left and nothing is the same as it used to be. The only thing that has stayed the same is my love for you...and that will never change! Each day that passes means I am one day closer to being with you...I look forward to that. You have a good night and always remember I love you and miss you more with each passing day.                           Love,
                                                                                                 Mom   Close

Wedding / Tom And Lori (a best friend )
Hey Heath,
        Just wanted to let you know that Lori and I are finally planning our wedding.  Remember when I asked you in the hospital to be in our wedding?  Well, buddy, you still are!  Lori and I have been looking for ways to honor you on our special day.  A date is set-- August 11, 2007.  I miss you very much, and wish you were still here so that we could hang out, go to the movies, mini-golf, bowl, and play cards ( even though Bob is my teammate--hehe j/k Bob).  What I do know is that when I leave this earth, I won't be as scared knowing that you are in Heaven to greet me.  Untill that day comes I will always think about you.  
                                      Your friend,
                                                   Tom  Close

ANOTHER GRADUATION...  / TINA GERHART (SISTER)

heath bud, it is graduation time again.  This is such a difficult time time.  It brings to surface all the intense emotions of just 2 years ago at your graduation.  You were just beaming ear to ear.  You made us all so proud again.  Your speach rocked the auditorium.  You were at the top, and yet it was the downslide.  This was one of the most incredible memories of you.  We just gave your awards again last week.  Listening to people reflect on you is awesome.  I hope you know how much you were loved by everyone.  Shawn and I took Olivia to the beach for a few days.  This used to be our trip and you were along again.  From the time we left the house until we got there, we saw constant reminders of you.  We had alot of fun, different, but Olivia helps us function.  You would be laughing so much with her.  Your laugh is missed, your smile is missed but not forgotten.  Every picture has your beautiful big smile, and they are in every room of my house.  You always loved the beach, and now so does Olivia.  I still have to ask, why you?  And then I have to ask, why us?  Why were we so fortunate to have such a tremendous person in our lives?  This is why the hurt does not end.  Love is truly a one of a kind feeling.  I know understand why some people never allow themselves to be close to someone.  But as much as I hurt, I am so thankful that we were close.  What we had/have is something that is a gift.  And I wouldn't give it up for the world, hurt yes, worth it, absolutely!  Missing you lots, love your sis (I long to hear those words, and only you had that priveledge - I miss it)

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Proud to be your mother!  / Cindy Hassler (Loving Mother )
Hi Honey,
Today was Mother's Day, and I missed you as always. Sis, Shawn and Olivia came down and we went to breakfast. The day was beautiful, except you were not here. Bob and I went up to your tree and spread orange poppy seeds and we will add the blue ageratum. We try to stay with your dolphin colors. Frankie brought roses up for me, and I laid one at your fountain. I just wanted you to know, and I am sure you knew, that I was so proud and honored to be your mother. You were the most wonderful son any parent could wish to have. I have to tell you, Olivia...you would love her, she always looks at my necklace with your picture on and she blows you kisses. She knows all about you already. We all love you and miss you terribly, and there is not a day goes by that you are not mentioned. We have all come to the realization that NO day or event will be what it should be with out you, Heath!  So, honey, from all the love in my heart, thank you for being my precious son, and for allowing me to be your proud and loving, but sad mom. Until we are together again, know that you are always in my heart, on my mind and in my thoughts always.
                                                                          Love, Mom  Close

Happy Easter Heath!  / Cindy Hassler (mom)
Hi Honey! I sent you a bunny train and I wanted to jump on it so I could come to Heaven, but i think it was deleted or I'm not sure what happened to it, so I am sending you another Easter wish. We had flowers dedicated to you in church. We brought them home and are planting them at your fountain. Holidays just are not the same with out you here, Heath. We did a placemat for you and took it with us to breakfast. It didn't matter how old you were, you loved all the holidays and all the presents! I really miss that. So, we just continue to get you things on the holidays. I know you had a joyful day...I could sure use some down here. You were on our minds and in our thoughts all day..as like any day. Know that we loave you and miss you dearly. With all my love,  Mom Close

Happy Easter  / Tina Gerhart (Sister)

I wish I you could just hop back onto earth just like the bunnies are hopping on this Easter Morning.  Today was Olivia's 1st Easter.  It makes me think of how when you were little Easter morning always seemed like Christmas morning.  The Easter Bunny was always very generous to you.  At that time I thought it was over board.  Now I am so happy for everything you had.  You will always have your beautiful smile and your intriging personality.  But most of all you will always have the biggest impact on everyones lives.  You touched everyone.  You will always have the most loving family who misses you dearly.  Happy Easter buddy, I miss you.
Love Sis
PS-Save some candy for me, I will be joining you someday!

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Happy 20th Birthday!  / TINA GERHART (SISTER)

Heath,
Happy Birthday to you!  We know how you loved your birthday and other holidays.  I can't imagine what and how long your gift/wish list is this year.  For the 18 years that you were here you were never hard to buy for, ok, yes you were because you were so organized on your list that you always had games on it that haven't even been released and I was out driving around trying to buy them . 
Now instead of buying you games I deposit your birthday gift into your scholarship account so you can help others. This morning we had a thunder snow squal.  Only you would have a little snow on your birthday in April!  It's prob. just you partying in heaven which is causing the clouds to fall .  There is not a whole lot I can say that I have not said before, but the bottom line is I miss you so much.  Not just you, I miss your smile, your laugh, your pesting and your friendship.  These things have not changed, if anything the feelings have gotten stronger and harder.  You are such a beautiful person.  The quote of  "you don't know what you had until it's gone" is so true.  And I am sure you are reminding me right now that those are also song lyrics!  Somethings never change.  Have a great day and celebrate.  In heaven you don't have to worry about the sugar or the fat content in the cake, so do it up good.  We both loved to eat!.  So here is to you bud, Happy Birthday and I miss you.       Sis

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Happy "20" Birthday Heath!  / Richard Hassler (Father)
Dear Heath,
        Happy Birthday in Heaven! I know in my heart you are still with me and still help me cope with life even though we are not physically together. I have a hard time getting enjoyment out of the things we did together, which was everything! You called and we talked on the phone when sports were on tv. You taught me how to do pro pickem and I always had to call and ask how to get back to the website. I went to the site and played after week 2, because I knew you would want me to. It seemed you took me right into the site and helped me register. I went to the races at Bridgeport, NJ., half way through the season because I did not feel comfortable with out my racing buddy and navigator. On the way home your voice came to me telling me to take the exit right before I passed it. I still look at my passenger seat and can see you sleeping after asking me if I would be ok the rest of the way home.
         On Nov. 9th, I got gout in my left knee. It was my league bowling night. I thought "Heath guide my ball tonight!" I had nine strikes in a row to start the first game and nine in a row to start the last game resulting in my highest triple ever, even though I could not bend properly. I know you made my night good so I could face the next day. Even though we are not physically together, I know our love for each other can never be taken away, and you will always be with me. Everyone looks forward to seeing you again. I start and finish every day with thoughts of you. I try to be strong, because you were always so strong, and I know you want everyone else to follow your example. I will see you in Heaven when God reunites us. I know your spirit is with me and comforting me until we are together again.                                      
                                                                               Love,  Dad
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Happy 20th Birthday!  / Cindy Hassler (mother)

                               Happy  Birthday, Honey!
I hope you are partying in Heaven right now! We will be celebrating your life, but not partying. Trisha and Ellen came down tonight and put 20 balloons in the shape of a heart around the flower bed. At the mailbox is your #20 ballon. At 12:00 we sang Happy Birthday to you. In church the altar flowers were in memory of you and nana's birthday.
Today we are hanging a dolphin balloon at school and your fountain at home. I put a poem in the merchandiser for your birthday. Everyone will know it is your birthday and that you were soooo special and really loved! I talked to a median last week and she said you are with 5 friends and that you are dancing and jumping around. Sis reminded me of DDR. Albright College called and said you had such an impact on the school, the students and staff did a resolution for you. They are going to present dad and I with the book. You are really missed and loved by everyone Honey, I only pray you knew that and can now see how your life affected everyone. They same time heals...I don't think so. You were so strong, brave and full of courage, Heath, and I try to follow your path, but it isn't working. There are a few things that keep me going, only because I have to.
I keep thinking of what you were, what you would be and the wonderful life you would have had and how hard you fought and it just kills me, Honey. And then I think of this world we live in and all the garbage and then I feel thankful you don't have to deal with it, but you know I would have protected you anyway. You are ALWAYS on my mind, in my thoughts and in my heart, and hopefully in November I will have you tattood at my heart. I will keep you posted on that. You are probably saying,"oh mom!"
Well, Honey, your birthday only started, so you have all day to party. Have a wonderful day, know that we love you, and miss you so much and I look forward to the day when we are reunited!  20 years ago I was blessed with you...today, beautiful memories...but sad.                                           Loving you and missing you ALWAYS,
                                                                         Mom

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Aching Heart  / Tina Gerhart (Sister)

It's another heart aching day without you. Valentine's is about love and of course we still have the love and it hurts.  Saturday was Shawn's and my 11th wedding anniversary and I couldn't stop thinking about the twenty-some dances that you and I had for the dollar dance that evening.  I know this was important to you because you wrote about it in your autobiography of which that section is framed and in our bedroom.  I will be visiting your tree once again later today and of course leaving my famous white rose for you.  I just want a hug from you, I wish if I hugged the tree it would work.  Sometimes I hug myself to remind me of hugging you.  I miss you bud and I sure hope your with your valentine today too.  Whom ever it may be is a lucky person.   lovin you, Sis

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Merry Christmas, Heath  / Dawn Carl (neighbor & friend )
Thinking of you this blessed night, and remembering how much you loved Christmas. I can picture you singing with the angels and rejoicing in the birth of Christ.  You are an angel to everyone who knows you.  Watch over your wonderful family, and help to bring them comfort and peace. Love, Dawn Close

MERRY CHRISTMAS HEATH!  / Cindy Hassler (proud mother )
Honey, you know how we used to really look forward to Christmas, well I guess you know that's all changed. Instead of you opening presents and bringing so much joy to us, we now have to hang mementos on your angel tree with so much sorrow. We found a dolphin with angel wings...there was only one and we bought it. We put a xmas tree up at your memorial tree at school...decorated it with angels and pictures of you. The tree at your fountain is blue and orange...for the Miami Dolphins...with pictures of you too. We went to church tonight and P.D. came and took me to the tree in church and said he put his friend on the tree, and he showed me the picture of you. He thought the world of you honey, and I know he really misses you. P.D. is always mentioning you in church. I just made our placemats for dinner tomorrow, so you will be at the table with us. We made your angel ornament for your angel tree. It is of you and a past Christmas. I know we should be rejoicing about Christ's birthday, but your all I think about and missing you. I asked Santa for 2004 and you...I guess that is an awful big task. I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Honey!  I love you, miss you and look forward to the day we are together again.
                                    Love and miss you....... Mom Close