I saw your picture on the front page of the Oak Ridger today and was very moved by your strength.  My name is Brenda, I went to Clinton High School.  We didn’t hang out together but I knew who you were.  I just wanted to let you know I am truly sorry for your loss.  As my oldest son reaches the beginning of his High School life, I am saddened and disturbed by the wide variety of drugs and the openness of use among peers.  I try to keep an open door with my children and I am very open with my kids about what I see at work (Nurse).  I wish there was a way for these children to see the effects of drugs.  Death is awful and I know that the kids feel the pain and the loss, but as with kids after the moment they move on.  I see children (teens) lying in beds in the trauma center all of the time with body’s broken, minds beyond repair and at times I think worse than even death because some of these will forever live in that state, until God’s mercy they pass.  I see the pain and the devastating effects on the families in the waiting area or at the bedside speaking to the body of what was once their child.  I am truly amazed at the strength and courage you have found and your ability to reach out to others so that they never have to feel the pain and loss that you and your family has felt.  If I can in any way help you share your message please allow me the privilege to do so.  May God bless you and your family.

Sincerely,
Brenda

Dear Donna,
This is Nathan.  I am truly sorry for mot coming to see you during my break; however, I know this is still so hard on everybody.  I can’t even think of Clayton without crying even until this day.  I love Clayton, and he will always be my best friend and little brother.  Although most people think of me as a strong person, a lot of my strength came from being around Clayton, believe it or not he taught me an enormous amount of self control, and how to love people for who they are, and not what they seem to be.  The reason I did not visit during the break is because I still just can’t handle it yet.  I guess it is going to take some time to set in, I mean at first I thought I could handle it, and them it just overwhelmed me. With such grief;
Donna, I can’t begin to convey how much I admire your strength.  I haven’t been to the grave yet either, I had to drive by one time for some reason, and it was excruciating for me.  Anyway, I just had to tell you these things while I have some time tonight because the Lord has really put you on my heart lately.  Please send my regards to the family, and let them know that I think about you guys everyday.

With Much Love,
Nathan

Donna,

Just wanted to let you know my heart goes out to you and your family.  I still find it hard to believe, It just doesn’t seem real... But God’s word tells us that life is a vapor.  Each day is a precious gift, and I know you thank him for the days you were able to share with Clayton.  Please know I often pray for your comfort and strength.  Donna, I know that the Lord knows your every pain, every tear that falls...and the sadness in your heart.  1 Peter 5:7 He says to cast all our cares upon him, because He cares for us.  Three years ago I knelt down, cried out to Jesus to help me, where no one else could.  I turned my life over to him and only through him is peace.  One song says, “A joy I can’t explain it fills my soul”.  I can say, life is different.  Everlasting life is a promise, and sharing burdens with ones you care about is a help because you have the Lord on your side!  John 14:27

Pam

 

WHAT IS CLAYTON’S LESSON?  Teens are not invincible, drugs kill, and it can happen to YOU!
I was in Clayton’s 4th period English class.  He never ceased to make us laugh and always brought a jot into the classroom.  Through the tragedy of losing Clayton I hope is has opened the many eyes of people in our community, school, and even in my 4th period class.
Teens aren’t invincible and I think until Clayton’s death many thought nothing bad could happen to someone so young.  It only takes one time to overdose.  I hope people have finally realized that.
Thank-you for being so supportive of our school.  We are praying for your family.  Thank-you for getting the awareness out so we don’t lose another classmate.

Megan

 

Mrs. Forstrom,

I am a true believer that God has a purpose for us all.  I feel that Clayton’s was to help other kids realize the reality about drugs.  I am currently a DCS worker.  Everyday I try to reach out to kids and help them understand what damage they are doing to themselves.  It is refreshing to see how much support Clayton had.  If his death reached out and changed one kid’s life he fulfilled his destiny.  I hope also that this is a lesson to all parents out there that this world puts a lot of pressure on our children.  It is our responsibility to keep them safe, and teach them to make good choices.  I thank you all for this website and I am sure you will never know how many lives you have touched.

Christina

 

Hey Clayton,
Words can’t describe how much you are missed!  At car club meetings, local hangouts, everywhere we go someone always has a story about you.  You touched each and every person you met. That was your gift.  You weren’t just the guy with the awesome car you were the gut that everyone liked and wanted to be friends with.  I was lucky to be a friend of such a great person.  I’m sure you are in that big race track in the sky and waiting for us all to get there.  You told me once that “life is a big race, you never know if your going to win, blow an engine, get a flat, or get delayed, but there is always that joy of when the race actually happens.”
Now has come the time for us to part.  I will live my life one friend less and that spot will never be taken.  But when I get there that spot will be filled once again.

Jamie

Dear Mrs. Forstrom,

Hello, my name is Courtney and I am the step daughter of one of your clients.  I finally had the chance to review Clayton’s web page and I have to say, Clayton was a very loved person. I attended O.S.E.S up until the summer after 3rd grade, so I was pretty close to many of Clayton’s friends, unfortunately I left before I had a chance to met Clayton in person.  However my step-mother talked about Clayton here and there once I had moved away and I always wanted to met him...I’m sorry that I had to meet him the way I did.  I heard about his death from my friend Robbie, it was a total shock to me, even though I had never had a personal relationship with him.  I kept thinking, “That could have been my brother...or that could have been any of my friends.”  At the funeral, it took everything I had not to break down...I had such an eery feeling in my heart.  I couldn’t believe his life was taken so soon...I guess it hit home because he was my age.  It was so strange, I cried and didn’t even know him, yet I felt like I had known him my whole life.  The whole reason for this email is to say: I live in Florence, S.C. and I have told my friends of my experience at Clayton’s funeral (which I have to say was the saddest funeral I have ever experienced in my life) and about the lessons people have learned over his death.  Ms. Donna, I am sure you hear this all of the time but I am truly sorry that it had to be YOUR son that made such a big difference in my life, I have passed his story on to people 6 hours away from where he lived.  You should feel blessed anyway but extra blessed now because YOUR ANGEL in starting to be known not just in Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and the surrounding areas but also in other places like Florence, South Carolina.  May God bless you everyday that you are without Clayton but may you rejoice that he is in a better place.

Sincerely,
Courtney

 

Donna,
Hello, I have recently visited Clayton’s web page.  I have regretfully say that I didn’t realize that I knew you son until I seen the pictures.  It truly breaks my heart that I didn’t realize earlier.  I had met him several times a long time ago.  I am writing because I have a friend who I believe is in trouble.  His mother knows that he takes pills and smokes pot but she won’t do anything about it.  I’m really worried. I am truly sorry for your loss.  I can’t imagine how hard this has been for you.  But I believe that you are doing everyone a huge favor by being outspoken.  You have made a lot of people smarter to the consequences of drug abuse.  So I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your time.

Anonymous

Clayton,

Hey there babe!  I hope everything is going good up there...down here, lets just say its going.  I saw you mom tonight, she is so beautiful, just the way you said she was.  Clayton I never got to tell you just how I felt.  I know it’s a lil’ to late but here goes... Clayton from the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you were the one.  I would always tell my friends that we were going to get married someday and how much I loved you.  I still do! I always will!!! You were always there for me no matter what I was going through.  Remember that one day when you put me on your lap and we sat there.  I tried to get up but you just held me so tight! I wish I could go back to that day, I would have never tried to get up.  You meant the world to me!  You were “MUCH BOY”! And that will never change!  To Clayton’s mom, I know you never knew me but I remember talking to you on the phone one day an when I asked if Clayton was there you said “No he is outside pressure washing the driveway” or something like that.  It was so funny because I was like “I bet he has his shirt off”.  I was really in love with your son.  No one will ever take his place.  He took my heart with him, that will never be given away to anyone else.  Clayton when I leave this world I hope you will be waiting for me so you can show me around and I am naming my boy (when I grow up) after you and I will tell him that he was named after the GREATEST GUY EVER!!! I know people are always saying A you will always be my superman, but Clayton I really mean you are my hero!!  You will always be my superman!!! I love you Clayton and always will!  Don’t forget me at the gates!!!!

 

To Clayton’s Mother,

I don’t think people my age realize how easy it is to die.  I just wish there was someway that I could ease your pain.  I know how it feels to lose someone to drugs, I am one of those people left behind to learn the lesson that our loved ones never did.  I am really and truly sorry for what happened to Clayton.  That may not make you feel any better but I just felt like I had to write this to you.  I think what you are doing to try to help other people is great.  Clayton was lucky to have so many people who loved him, he really was.  I am not completely sure what the point if this message is, but like is said I felt like it was something I needed to say.  Quiet honestly, I wish there were more people like you out there.  Parents and family members that care!! And imagine, some parents give drugs to their kids, and they do drugs with them!  I think that is the worse thing a parent can do to their child, I really do.  It’s like the parent is TRYING to ruin their child’s life.  I really do think your website will help people, and I will pray for you and your family.
P.S. I think the poems written by Clayton’s Mother are probably the most loving things I have ever read.

Elizabeth

 

Just Saying Thanks,

HI! I know this is a little late to be writing you Clayton but I have been thinking a lot about your death lately.  You were always a friend of mine and always someone I could count on so I thought your family would maybe find a little encouragement in this.  After my wreck you always made me smile when I thought I couldn’t and always made me feel OK about the way I looked.  You were like my moral support when I needed it.  Thanks Clayton!! I know you are doing great and I know you are in a much better place than all of us and I just thought a little thanks might help to brighten up your families day!  You were and still are one in a million!! For when you were with us here you helped a lot of frowns turn to smiles, a lot of bad days turn good, and a lot tears turn to laughs!! You are greatly missed and I am proud to say I have learned from your lesson and I am very grateful I knew you here on earth as a friend and as a person I could always turn to.  I will continue to think about you and hope your family is doing good.

I love you always and forever
Lindsey

 

Dearest Donna,

If I could be honest I want to say I think of you a lot.  I have a lot of respect for you.  For you to have gone through and to look so pretty and still be able to talk about Clayton.  That’s wonderful!! I’m telling you from experience...I have a family member that lost her son several years ago and she still is not really herself.  She changed a lot and I am sure you have too.  But yet you can still smile and talk about Clayton’s good times and she cannot. She always seems sad and down.  I try to help her but things always make her cry.  I lost my mom when I was little and I know death is very hard. I know. I really do!!! I miss Clayton and a lot of times I feel like he is still here.  I know he watches over us all.  His wonderful smile still can make me melt to my knees.  Clayton was a person that if you ever meet him once you automatically loved him.  Donna I appreciate you coming by the High School it helps me.  I like knowing that you are okay and that his family is still okay and living alright. I wanted to tell you thanks and that I am here for you if you need to talk.

Leanne

 

Clayton’s Family

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