Wise words

You can shed tears that he is gone,

or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and wish that he would come back,

or you can open you eyes and see all he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you cannot see him,

or it can be full of the love that you shared.

You can remember only that he is gone,

or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry, close your mind, be empty and turn your back,

or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.

- by David Harkins (shared by Brielle Killip)

Happy Birthday, Noah!

Noah would have been two today. I would like nothing more than to be wiping birthday frosting from his cheeks. Instead, as Josh says, "The big man better be throwing a big bash for our boy in heaven."

I thought it might be appropriate to share Josh's words from Noah's funeral... because in spite of all we lost, Noah brought us such joy, such pride... and we continue to be amazed at the way his short life has impacted those who have heard his story.

Happy Birthday, little Noah man. We miss you.

Deb and I would like to thank all our family and friends for their love and support. The trials of today and the days to come are much easier because of each and every one of you.

Over the course of the last few days I have been processing being a parent and the decisions you face and what you most earnestly desire for your child. To be honest, I was thinking about these things because my mind was dwelling on how Deb and I would not know or experience these things as Noah’s parents.

But then God pricked my heart and put the following thoughts into motion. The decisions parents make are done to help mold their children so they can have a positive impact on others. Nothing makes a parent prouder than their child changing the lives of others in a positive way. I think it is very rare for parents to actually experience their children having a widespread impact on other people and even a small case of such an experience brings more joy than a lifetime of good grades and terrific performances.

Then I started to think about our son, Noah… and I began to realize how blessed we are. We were blessed with a son who, in the shortest period of time, impacted more people then Deb or I could have ever imagined. I will never understand why… why us, why Noah, why now… but I am at least starting to see how Noah and his brief life touched so many people, some who we know but most we don’t, and this has brought us joy. And while we will not experience Noah’s good grades or great performances, I am proud and thankful that God allowed us to experience that joy as his parents.

Missing Noah in pictures, 365 days

*Pictures courtesy of Monica Carroll Photography