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Dear All, Today marks one month since our angel boy passed into God's arms. There is not much to say, as we know there is not much for all of you to say. We do realize a lot of you do not know what to do for us. We know everyone is feeling like "should we visit? should we call? do they need quiet?" The answer to those questions is simple "please visit. please call. quiet is sometimes too quiet." Some days we feel lost. Some days I just can't answer the phone. Most days are getting better. We would not have wanted Jimmy to suffer anymore, and we know in our hearts that he is in the best place he can be. We are thankful for the incredible time and lessons we had from him. Everyday brings another lesson that he ripples to us. Jimboy is and was an incredible soul that we will all carry with us everyday. The pain will be here for quite some time, and again, it is just missing his very presence. He is and always will be a very special part of our life. The smallest things trigger an emotional moment, but the things I expect to trigger an emotional moment don't. We know that the emotion is good in the process of our healing, and that God will give us all the strength to endure what is to come. The strength of all of you has helped us to survive the dark days and to enjoy the great days. We are a very blessed family with so much greatness around us. Thank you. So, please call or come by if you want. Please, know that we may have some tears here and there - but that is okay - we need to do that. We have learned a lot - ALL OF US. Jim and I have decided to continue Jimboy's message and work. We are in the process of creating "Just Imagine Making Miracles Yours" Foundation in Jimboy's memory. The purpose and mission are still being developed, but the true meaning and message will come from what we have learned from our precious boy. We have a lot of ground to cover and a lot of people to help. Just spreading the goodness and love will keep Jimboy alive in our hearts. This will be ONLY about passing on what has been started throughout the past 21 months. People are amazing and as we have all seen, goodness, support, and love comes in so many different ways - our little miracles that we can pass on to one another. So, we will have more information soon, and hopefully, we will have everyone's support. If you want to help, let us know. If you have ideas, again, let us know. I have seen so much incredible love in the past months that I am just in awe of all of you that surround us. Our family knows that we will get through these days with all of you around. We love you each and every one. Life really has changed, and there is so much love out there and we have all been touched by an incredible angel. For those that want the information, there will be a Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Croton Falls, NY at 9:00 am in the auditorium in memory of Jimmy. Remember, the messages are always right in front of us, we just need to pay attention to them. They may not always be the answer we are looking for. We love you and God Bless You and Your Family Now and Always, Love, Gina and family

James Raymond ( Jimmyboy) Arena jimmy passed away peacefully and quietly at home with his Mom and Dad, holding him. We will post more info as we get it finalized

Dear All, I got permission to pass this email around to everyone. It truly does show the incredible ripple affect that has occurred. Thank you Patty for sharing this story with me. These incredible stories really show our family how incredibly special our boy is and was. Thank you to everyone that has shared a piece of themselves with us. I may not always have time to respond, but I read each and every one. I thank you for sharing your life with me too. I love you all. Gina Dear Gina and Jim, The day of Jimmys funeral, I came home, made a cup of coffee and then made a few phone calls that I had to make. My first was to our dear friends daughter, Kim, in Virginia. We are planning a surprise for her parents, our best friends, in Disney. Kim is running a marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. At any rate, Kim was very sad and I could tell had been crying. I asked what was wrong. She then went on to tell me how she had been talking to a gal in Ca. (work related) who was quite upset. She went on to tell Kim about this very special little boy who was a patient in the hospital out there when she was. She told Kim about his family and how very special everyone was and how this little boy touched everyone that he ever met. She told Kim he lived in New York and had just had a firefighters funeral. I said was his name Jimboy Arena. Of course, Kim said yes. How did I know? Everyone knows Jimboy!!!!! I do not know this gals name in California, but Kim said she went on and on about your boy. How angelic he was, how beautiful he was, how he had an effect on everyone he met. She told Kim she would never ever forget the Arena family. So Gina and Jim, Jimmy has touched everyone from east coast to the west coast. I do not know of anyone who has ever done that. There is not a day that goes by that Wally and I do not think about and pray for you. I know that God will carry you on the rest of your journey. So if you are having a bad day, just remember California to Virginia to New York. That's your boy!!! May God Bless You all. Brendan sends his love and promises that he will get to see you soon. Love, Patty McKenney

Katonah has a Tanker on order Pierce 3000 gallon with a foamcell, some time in late October or November

Okay added Buchanan today to list, we are over half way there, we need to finish this up, if you go thru here and see one that you can help me get, send me a phone number, I will ask and explain what we are doing I will even pay for it if i need too. This has sat idle on the back burner for me for a while but know that Jimmy is at peace I have the time to commit to getting this done.

Good Morning ( This was written by Jim ) As I am cleaning stuff up from this last week I came across the Fearless Fire Fighter that Gina had given me and I had written about earlier to all of you. Here are some of my interpretations: " Fire Fighters are Heroes in Uniform" Jimmy is a Hero he taught us all well we learned some great life lessons, we can look up to him as a Hero, if we can be half the man he was we will all make a huge difference to our community and families. The Courage of a Fire Fighter is Sustained by his Faith. Jimmy brought ,at least to me back to my Faith in Human Kindness, Human Goodness, as well he is bringing me back to God, Yes I was angry at first, but that went away I learned more than any book could teach by opening up and letting me see everything from a different angle. There have been quite a bit of great insightful talks in our front yard since all of this has happened. A Little Spark Can ignite a Great Fire. Well one Little 6 Year old boy, Ignited a great group of Men and Women to get together, YOU gave him the Greatest Tribute and Honor the Way we sent him off, as well without any one realizing it he made you sit down at a table, meet each other,some for the first time,bringing the Brotherhood of the Firefighters together. Well these three say a lot about us and what jimmy taught us. As tonight will be a week since he passed away, I miss my son, my life as a man, as a husband, and as a father is forever changed hopefully for the better, I will be a better person,never forgetting what a 6 year old boy taught me in his short but beautifully purposeful life. With a Heartfelt Thanks for Reading my Thoughts Jim the proudest Father and Husband a man could be.

To All We Know and Love, There could not have been a more perfect hero's send off for our boy. There are no words for me to convey how incredibly appropriate and perfect it was. Thank you to all that put it together and thank you for sharing our incredible journey with us. Words can never describe how you touched our hearts so incredibly. We are so blessed to have so much love around us - thank you. I am not signing off, just saying see you later. You are all always in my heart and I love you all so. I will continue my journal at jimmyboy's website www.jimmboy.com. I have posted my words from church there for those of you that would like to read it. Check the website from time to time as I update how we are doing. If there is something important happening I will send all an update. For now, we will try and find some type of peace and comfort just knowing how incredibly powerful the last 20 months has been. Our door is always open and everyone is always welcome at 9 Buenta Way. Thank you for sharing our life with us. Our life is blessed to have you in it. May God Bless You and Your Family Now and Forever - All My Love - Gina (and Family)

The Arrangements for Jimmy are as follows: Saturday 10/01/05 There will be a Firemans Service at Katonah FD at 1600 HRS When the firemans Service is over there will be dinner served and viewing and receiving from the Family. At approx. 1830 HRS Jimmy's Casket will be placed on Fire truck and we will be lead by bag pipe band and walk to Clark's Funeral home. The Honor Guard will place jimmy back at Clark's and Public viewing will commence at 1900HRS till the Last Person comes thru doors. Sunday we will have viewing Hoursfrom 1500 till the Last people Come thru Doors No one will be turned away Jimmy is No longer mine and Gina's son he is every one's son. Please come up and view Jimmy he is such an angel and he is the True Spirit of us as Fireman. Monday the Funeral Service is at 1100HRS at St. Patrick's Church in Yorktown. The FD's will be assembling at Clark's at Approx. 930 they will announce that in there Faxes. Jim and Gina Arena and Family

Please remember that the FD service is in Full Dress Uniform. Honor Guards will be posted the whole time. This is the only FD service ( at Katonah FD) 4:00 to approx. 5:00 pm

Dear Family and Friends, This update is by far the hardest I will ever write in my life. Tonight at about 6:30 pm with Jim and I our dear Jimboy passed away to be with God. There are no words to describe anything. We were with him and I was holding him when he passed. He was calm and peaceful. It was very hard to let go, but I know God was waiting with open and loving arms. The next few days will be difficult, but we know the incredible amount of love and support we will receive in the coming days. I will hold this beautiful wonderful amazing child in my heart forever. Whenever I look at the world around me I will be thankful for each moment. As I said goodbye tonight, the words to my son of six were "Thank You, thank you for teaching me how to live a better life. Thank you for guiding me." I will always be thankful to this amazing little spirit. I thank God for letting me borrow the most incredible person I will ever know. He has taught me everything I needed to know about really and truly living life. So, Thank You Dear Sweet Jimmyboy for every bit of life you gave to me and all of us. I love you all, kiss your kids, call that person you have been meaning to call, live your life for every moment, and know that sharing your story will help someone else - even if it is just one. Much love and God Bless You Each and Every One, Gina and Family We will pass on information tomorrow

If any of the Dams are hit we would all be in trouble how many of us have seen the flood plain for not only the dams in your districts but the ones above you that would wipe you out?? Katonah and Bedford Hills would be under water as well as fire Houses Hurricane Floyd was nothing.

Picked up 10 more tonight also some how north White Plains did not appear when we down loaded and transfered list I received that one as well. Thank You, list has been updated as of tonight

To all those we love so dearly, Jimboy has gone into a coma. He is very comfortable and peaceful. His presence and calmness is amazing. He looks like and truly is an angel. I cannot explain the amount of love that surrounds him. He just emanates pure love. Again, if you feel you would like to come by. . . please do. We are all okay. . . emotional at times, but there is a very strange calmness that surrounds us. Please continue to pray for our boy and that his journey home is peaceful and beautiful. I love you all each and everyone and God Bless You and Your Family Always, Gina and family We are setting up at the Funeral Home Today There will be a Fund set up in Memory of Jimmy thru Katonah FD

This is an update that is difficult for me. Our Jimboy is declining more and more everyday. I just want him to be comfortable. I realize that there are no words to say, and that this is a painful time for all of us. If you feel the need to come see us, please come anytime. Our hearts and arms are open to you all. Please continue to pray for our boy and family. I would like to say more. . . but I have no words at this time either. Just having your support and love around us is enough. We love you all, keep praying and make sure you are living life for the moments given. May God Bless You and Your Family Always, Gina and Family

Added 3 More, Verplanck , Metro North and Montrose tonite. Thank You

Katonah FD is Sponsoring a Lobsterfest as a Fund Raiser for Jimmy Arena September 10th 2005 Orders are needed to be placed by Sept. 1st 2005 look on www.jimmboy.com for order forms and more info.

Yes I got them Thank You

It can be anything you would like to give to us, NO peference as long as all Westchester Dept.s are represented, as well we will adapt to any front we receive Thank You.

Dear Everyone, All here is okay. We are praying very hard for a miracle for our boy. It has been wonderful to have so many people coming by and feeling comfortable to do so. Thank you to all of you that come by. You keep our minds much more occupied rather than sitting here and staring and waiting. It has also been very busy the past two weeks. Jessi, our daughter with autism, was home two weeks ago and it was wonderful to see her. We had a nice week. It was the first time in 18 months that we were all under one roof together. I can't remember the last time we were all together. Then, Casey, our oldest, was walking in the front gate and a flying bat hit her in the side of the head and got tangled in her hair. She has been going for rabies vaccinations for the past two weeks. Every time I walk out the front door I find myself saying Anything. . . never mind. Jimboy seems to be holding his own and those of you that have come to see him agree that he is looking good. He is very comfortable and that I am grateful for. It is so hard to look at pictures of him when he was running and laughing. It is so hard to believe that 18 months ago he was this vibrant little boy jumping and playing. He is still vibrant in a different way. Every one tells me there is this serene, calm aura that surrounds him that is full of love. I feel it always, but when others tell me I realize how incredibly special he truly is. Many come and call him "an angel on earth." He just has that incredible presence around him. I tried to go out on Sunday to a party, but was finding it very difficult. I went for a while and came back and forth to the house. I just cannot be away for more than an hour or two. On Monday morning I woke and I realized that I cannot go out for long lengths of time. It is much easier when people come here. I felt so incredibly guilty for leaving him. How could I go out? How could I leave him at this time in his life? So the answer is there is no right or wrong here. If I can't leave for too long I will compromise and go out for short trips here and there. When I am gone too long I am just not myself and I just feel like breaking down. I am so scared something will happen to him when I am gone. I beat myself up over this routinely because I love him so incredibly much. He needs me to be with him. I have always been there for him and just wish I could protect him through this. I just wish I could be the one taking all the pain and horror of this. Why him? I pray for the answers always, and I realize quickly that this is God's plan, which I have the right to disagree with, but will continue to trust that He will carry me and all of us through this. I know He is with Jimboy every second, and that is probably the incredible love we all feel. I know that Jimboy was sent here to do a job, a bigger job than we all anticipated. And I can attest to the fact, that our boy has done one heck of a job. He has changed so many lives just by being. He has shown us all where we should be focusing. I often think about the many words that people have given Jimboy, courageous, brave, inspirational, loving, beautiful and angelic, plus many more. I think of these words and know how incredibly special one little boy has been. But, I also think of everyone that surrounds us. His doctors (all of them) are so much of these very same words. They took his life in their hands to help make him better and did it with such compassion and love. Not only did they help him they held us together to get through this. It takes courage to tell a parent horrible news about their child, and to have to be the ones to tell the parent all options have been exhausted. It takes bravery to face the most impossible-seeming circumstances and try to make it better, while a mother and father stand by waiting for that very person to tell them any ounce of news. It is an inspiration to watch them do their work proudly and unconditionally. They have inspired me personally to go into the medical profession and hopefully, make a difference. It is loving when they feel your pain as you feel it and so desperately don't want you to feel it. It is beautiful to know, that no matter what happens they are human and they tried their best and gave it their all. Angelic, very easy word for doctors, they were chosen to make a difference in the lives of others, they have been given the gift to take away the pain and hurt, which always does not go in that direction, but they have also been given the compassion they need to deliver the unimaginable. Our doctors are human too, and we are so glad they are a part of our life, as medical professionals and as friends. Thank you to all our doctors for being our net to catch us when we were falling, this includes all our primary doctors and all our resident doctors, thank you all of you. Now nurses, incredible, incredible people. I am in awe of nurses too. Courageous and Brave. . . they are really their to pick up those pieces. How incredible our nurses have been. Always right there for us whenever the news was grim. Our nurses guided us through the dark journey with a shoulder to cry on, if needed. Inspiring is an understatement. They just inspire me to be a better person and to strive to make a difference, as they do. A beautiful nurse is the nurse that does their job because they love it, and I have yet to find a nurse that is not beautiful. A loving nurse is true to her patients and advocates for them when the parent just has no more strength, which is something I have encountered time and time again. An angelic nurse, if you have seen the face of a nurse you have seen an angel. Thank you to all our nurses and assistant nurses. You made our days easier and I am so proud to know you all and even prouder to call you our friends. So with my email getting longer and my tears streaming, I will give you all a break for now and write more about the incredible people in my life in further emails. I just wanted all our doctors and nurses to know how thankful we are to them. I don't often give them the recognition they so well deserve. . . I love you all. They have guided us through something that no one could possibly imagine, unless you have been there. Thank you to all our dear friends and family that have helped us, keep praying and please know the Arena family loves you all dearly. Remember, "Just Imagine Making Miracles Yours." Miracles can always happen, and we have seen some incredible miracles in the past year and a half. Something I say everyday to myself (it is from a song) "where there is love I'll be there." I love you all. May God Bless You Each and Every One Today and Always, Much Love, Gina and Family

The lobster Fest is still open and you can still order

I was thinking about this with the Call in Port Chester for the Tankers the other Night, maybe the county should go to Contact with some Pool Companies for 2 or more Trailers to go on stand by if needed for instances like this, then if they do get a call they can call in FD tankers to re fill the trailers at or near the fire scene, Yes it woiuld take some planning and logistics, escorts set up etc. but trailers hold 6,000 or 9,000 gallons each, and you would not deplete all the resources for stand by, just a thought .............

How was IN and Out ???????

Added 3 more tonight, all of Battalion 13 has submited there's. We are getting there slowly but surely. The orginal List has been updated . Thank You for all your help.

Dear Family and Friends, There are many things that happen in a lifetime, but who thought what we are going through would be one of them. Something so drastic and so painful. How does one ever say goodbye to a child? I know for me I will never say goodbye. This past week has been complete hell for our family, decisions that no family would ever want to make for their child. But, as the week progressed I feel some form of comfort, and I can say it is because of the many, many people that have come by and shown their support and explained how they are feeling to us. In speaking with a friends of ours, Ted and Marissa, on Friday night I realized the comfort of so many friends coming by. That night something strange and miraculous happened that I didn't even realize was happening. Ted told us how he was scared to come by the house because he wasn't sure what he would find. Would we be in complete despair and curled up on the couch? Crying uncontrollably? He explained, that to his surprise, we were okay. That we were still Jim and Gina and family. That even though we had to deal with the most devastating news that a parent could receive, we were strong and still surviving. He told Marissa that she needed to come over, and with a little prodding from Ted and Jim she came with their children not knowing what to expect. They both explained that there was this feeling that overcame both of them that they just wanted to be here. Ted explained how even while at work he kept thinking about how he just wanted to be at our home. That the love and calmness was so incredible that he just wanted to be here. Chris another friend voiced the same feelings he also had. I never really thought about how we were helping others, but they have made it clear. Since then, I have been thinking a lot about this little angel that God gave me. I think about everything he has done for so many people. He has changed the way people think and feel. I am truly moved by his presence and love. He is a true spirit of God. Thank you Ted, Marissa, and Chris for sharing your feelings with us. It helps our family understand so much more on a higher level. It somehow helps to make some sense out of this. That love really is the bottom line, that we will be okay, that people will always be here, that there is nothing more important than here, now and showing your love for one another. So, to everyone we know and love. Please come over anytime. Our door is open. We feel your love always, but your support truly does enable our next step. I often wonder how I will make the next step. . . I do it with the help of God and all the miraculous people that surround us. I love you all for everything you give to us from your heart. May God Bless You Each and Everyone, Love, Gina and family

Dear Family and Friends, There are many things that happen in a lifetime, but who thought what we are going through would be one of them. Something so drastic and so painful. How does one ever say goodbye to a child? I know for me I will never say goodbye. This past week has been complete hell for our family, decisions that no family would ever want to make for their child. But, as the week progressed I feel some form of comfort, and I can say it is because of the many, many people that have come by and shown their support and explained how they are feeling to us. In speaking with a friends of ours, Ted and Marissa, on Friday night I realized the comfort of so many friends coming by. That night something strange and miraculous happened that I didn't even realize was happening. Ted told us how he was scared to come by the house because he wasn't sure what he would find. Would we be in complete despair and curled up on the couch? Crying uncontrollably? He explained, that to his surprise, we were okay. That we were still Jim and Gina and family. That even though we had to deal with the most devastating news that a parent could receive, we were strong and still surviving. He told Marissa that she needed to come over, and with a little prodding from Ted and Jim she came with their children not knowing what to expect. They both explained that there was this feeling that overcame both of them that they just wanted to be here. Ted explained how even while at work he kept thinking about how he just wanted to be at our home. That the love and calmness was so incredible that he just wanted to be here. Chris another friend voiced the same feelings he also had. I never really thought about how we were helping others, but they have made it clear. Since then, I have been thinking a lot about this little angel that God gave me. I think about everything he has done for so many people. He has changed the way people think and feel. I am truly moved by his presence and love. He is a true spirit of God. Thank you Ted, Marissa, and Chris for sharing your feelings with us. It helps our family understand so much more on a higher level. It somehow helps to make some sense out of this. That love really is the bottom line, that we will be okay, that people will always be here, that there is nothing more important than here, now and showing your love for one another. So, to everyone we know and love. Please come over anytime. Our door is open. We feel your love always, but your support truly does enable our next step. I often wonder how I will make the next step. . . I do it with the help of God and all the miraculous people that surround us. I love you all for everything you give to us from your heart. May God Bless You Each and Everyone, Love, Gina and family