James Ryan Burch, my sweet Baby James, was born on August 31, 1983 at 11:04 am at George Washington University Hospital in Washington DC. He came into our lives at a very dark time, as we had just lost his father. He was named after James (Tiny Boy) Burch. He has two older brothers, Jeffrey and Justin and in 1990 they were blessed with a sister, Angela Christine. If you asked James today, he would tell you she "Was the best sister anybody could ever have". They were tight growing up and when we moved to Florida, the "Burch Boys" livened up that street. They rode their bikes all over the neighborhood and quite often on his way to school, his pants leg would get caught in the chain of his brothers bike because he was riding the handle bars!! He was always a giver and a believer in God. As an early teen, he begged me to let him go to Belize with the church to be a missionary. Yes - Missionary. I could not let him go that far and he didn't make that trip. James loved to climb trees. He fell out of the neighbors tree and broke his arm while he was picking oranges. He wasn't supposed to be in that tree, but we all know how that goes. They were quite intrigued by the lizards and put them on their ears like earrings and swam with the manatees when nobody else would. James was tiny growing up, so we enrolled him in Karate. He was so proud when he broke the board and got his first belt. He played Pop Warner football, but didn't really like it. There was many a Saturday we spent on the football field cheering them on. As a child, he came to our door every night to say "Good night" "I love you Mom & Charlie".
James had a big heart, a lover of life and made friends wherever he went. He had a way with words and had no problem expressing himself. He spent much of his adult life in Maryland. His daughter, Chyanne Christine Burch was born October 20, 2009. She was by far the love of his life and he was so proud. James, unfortunately, struggled with addiction, as many of you reading this are. He left Maryland in October 2010 to begin his journey for his daughter. He wanted to change his life for Chyanne. He was man enough to leave her then and most recently reunited with his daughter. On November 8th 2014, he saw her for the first time in four years. That night, when speaking with him, he was so happy. He said "Mom, I feel so good. This was the best day I have had in a long time and I am on such a high right now. You just don't even know" When she called him Dad and told him she loved him, he was so happy. It is amazing how much they were alike. Chyanne told him my favorite color is green - what is yours? It too was green. She called him just before Christmas asking him to come over. I need your help . I need you to help me build a trap for Santa. I laughed hysterically as that is exactly what he would have done!!
James always told me the truth. As a mom, I would flip out and he would say "Just kidding mom, wanted to see what you would say". The truth is, it was the truth. He would call and leave me messages "Hey mom, it's me, just called to say I love you and have a good day, talk to you later. Thankfully, I still have one of those messages. In my heart, I was always afraid it would be that last one.
In a recent letter from him, he wrote, Mom, I want you to know that I love you and no matter what decisions I make in life, they have absolutely nothing to do with you. You are the best mother a man could have & I miss you. Tell Dad I said hello and I love him as well.
He made me laugh until I cried. Last week, he told me he wanted to finish school and go to college. We hadn't quite decided what path yet, but it was always "One day at a time". He wanted more than anything to make us proud.
I loved my son more than life itself and tried so hard to keep him safe. Unfortunately, God had a different plan. I ask of each of you to remember his smile, his laughter and know that he will live on in our hearts forever. This I know was not HIS plan. With all my love - Mom
James was not only my brother, he was my best friend. We always had a special bond that could never be broken no matter what the situation may of been. James was an amazing man, who was loved by many, but most of all he loved his family more than anything in the world. James had one of the biggest hearts out of anyone I have ever known. James was the biggest sweetheart and his heart was full of gold. His smile, his laugh and his presence was just enough to brighten your day . He had the effect to make things better, even if it was just for the moment. He would have given you the shirt off his back or done anything for you if he had it.
James was full of life, love, hopes and dreams. He always had plans for his life and the man he truly wanted to be. James always called those plans "game changers". He believed either you go big or go home! In my heart, I always believed in him! My mom and I were always James' biggest believers and supporters, no matter what the situation was. James was a man that loved to laugh and most of all to make others laugh. He was the biggest prankster I have ever known and he sure was good at it. He could always make you laugh so hard till you cried.
James had so much love to give and always made sure that you knew how much he loved you and how much you meant to him. Whether it being a phone call or being in his presence, he was always known for saying "I love you"! That alone is something that could never be forgotten. James would always tell me that I was truly special and that one day he would find and marry a woman just like me. He was always proud of me and looked up to me. Not only was he proud that I was his sister, I was truly proud of him and having him as my brother. At times, I had to be the big sister and that I was always fine with, because I always had him by my side. James and I could always laugh and talk about anything for hours. We could tell each other anything and never pass judgment. I will love you forever and always and you will forever be a part of my life! Forever your sister-Ang
****UPDATED****
In Memory of James Ryan Burch, January 18, 2016
Twelve full moons have passed since you left this earth and time has not begun to heal those that miss you. This journey has been full of sadness and tears. For those that truly knew James should know that he found comfort in the sunrise, sunset and loved a full moon. Somehow these things bring sadness to me now that you are gone. Ang ela, the twins & I started our day in Daytona Beach waiting for the sunrise. At 7:22 am the sun came up and it was a beautiful sunrise. We wrote notes in the sand in your memory. Out in the ocean there are "messages in a bottle". Although you won't be the one reading them someone will find those bottles and know that James Burch was loved and is missed so very much. Chyanne is even more beautiful than the day you left her and you would be so proud. She called me before the holidays and told me that "My special daddy pencils are almost gone can you send me something of my daddy's?" I sent her the blue shirt that you wore when you had your pictures taken Christmas of 2014. She was so very happy , smiling proudly and wears it every day. It however made me sob with sadness. You were in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people. As I read thru your bibles yesterday I found pages that you bookmarked. I know you believed in God and you are in heaven. You have joined your father, Grandma Craig, Granny Klotz and your Uncle Jack. Heaven I am certain has not been the same since you arrived!! May you rest in peace my "Sweet Baby James" and know that you will be forever in our hearts. WE miss YOU.
With all my heart - Love Mom
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