Holidays / Aunt Lara
The holidays are much harder since you left us.  I miss seeing your beautiful face and that amazing smile.  I was talking with Nana today about Thanksgiving and I got to thinking about you.  I can just see you in the kitchen into everything.  I can see you wanting to help do everything Brady helps with.  I know that our Thanksgiving table will not be complete without you but I know that you are forever in our hearts.  I can only imagine the feast that God has prepared for your Thanksgiving in Heaven.  One day we will be able to join you at the table of the King.  I love you and miss you more each day. Close

Singing in Heaven!!  / Nana

Dylan tonight I sat and watched as Bubba Chase and Cade stood on a stage in our new church with a group of children as they sang songs about God and praise.  I would so have loved to see you standing there singing your heart out with them.  You did love music and singing.  It broke my heart to think that I won't get to see you singing songs and praises to God until God calls me Home also.  However I do know you ARE singing praises and especially "Hallalulas"...you got that down good before you left us.  I also know that you were certain that Jesus loves YOU before you joined Him in Paradise.  Missing you tonight little one!!!

Close

Remembering / Nana
You know there is sorrow where laughter once played and lingering tears causing gladness to fade but there is a sweet comfort our memories impart so always remember you are forever in our hearts. Close

Love is FOREVER!!  / Nana
Dylan yesterday I went to ur house and stayed w/Bubba because he was sick.  While we were playing games or watching TV it seemed that it would only be right for your to come barreling around the corner at any moment wanting to play.  Bubba has a horse game that has a man named Dylan in it.  We had to go to the doctor's office for a check to see if Bubba had "swine flu".  He did!!!  On the way home I told him to remind me to take a picture of your tree before I left to go home.  I walked around your yard to look at Mom's flower garden and check on her flowers for the end of the growing season.  I stood in the spot where your swing once stood.  The spot is empty now.  In my mind I could see you swinging up up and away the way we did so many times when you were here.  I remember the big pile of all the riding toys that were stacked around the trees.  I went to your tree to see how much it has grown.  I am a month late in taking a picture but I got one yesterday.  I will get it to Lara and she can put it on your website.  It has grown so very much just as you would have had you stayed.  Although there are so many empty spots here and there they are not really empty.  The incredible love that you had for life and everyone you met is still here and can be felt if a person only stops and remembers.  Love you little bit!!! Close

We made the move!!!  / Nana
Dylan yesterday we met at the old church for the last time.  We had a short service then walked to the new church.  There was a long line of people walking and many people wondering what we were doing as we walked by.  The new church has so much more room and more importantly room to grow.  You would be going into the 1st and 2nd grade room and the theme is trains.  Bubba will be in the 5th and 6th grade room and the theme is airplanes.  Your teachers will be teaching how to travel through life w/Jesus.  You don't need the lessons as your traveling days are done.  One day ours will be too.  Hallalula!!!! When I walked through the nursery yesterday your picture was in one of the beds there.  You made the move with us also.  We had a picnic later in the afternoon and you would have been running and playing with all the other children had you been here.  You are never far from us in thought or in our hearts.  Travel always w/us my Dyl.  Close

Our church!!!  / Nana
Dylan today we celebrated our last Sunday service in the only church you ever knew.  There are so many wonderful memories of the times you and Bubba also walked into church.  Not only that...your Mom and Lara also went there when they were little girls.  More than that your Nana and her sister went there when they were little girls.  Our family has a wonderful and precious heritage in that church.  Your Mom and Dad were married in that church; also Lara and Michael.  Your Nana and Papa were married there many many years ago.  Your great-grandparents made life-saving decisions there as did your grandparents your parents and your Bubba.  Your choice was made the day you left us.  There were so many Sundays I would wait for you and your Bubba (when he was little) to meet you and walk with you to your classes.  Those are such precious memories and I would not take the whole world for them.  It will seem so strange to be going to a different church but there is so much promise with this move.  Nothing will ever change the remembrances we have to hold close in our hearts.  Looking forward to seeing you again one sweet sweet day.  Close

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!  / Aunt Lara

My Sweetest Dyl

Today you would have turned six years old.  I can only imagine you being in school and being a big boy now!!! I miss you so much and I wish that we could have still had you here to celebrate with us !!!I know that you had a wonderful party in Heaven - continue to celebrate with Jesus!  I love you and I miss you more each day.  I will see you again one day.  Keep flying with your angel friends

^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^ ^!^

 

Close

TODAY YOU WOULD BE SIX (really tomorrow)  / Nana

Today you would be six and such a big boy.  You have outgrown all the memories of you and your toys.  You would never play with toys that we remember.  You would have been in first grade this September.  It is impossible to try to picture the big boy you'd be.  It's because you live now in Paradise you see.  There are times and memories we will never share but we know that you are safe in God's tender care.  It's so difficult to face all the years ahead all the excitement you would have shown for a "big boy" bed.  How you would have run jumped and played...if only here on earth you could have stayed.  We are all growing older and feeling more pain; however we know that one day we'll' see you again.  We'll walk with you down the streets of gold.  You'll tell us all the wonderful stories you've been told.  You'll take us to meet Jesus and He'll take you by the hand.  He'll tell us all about things you have shared since you entered His promised land.  We'll then walk away together more of Paradise to explore.  We'll stroll beside the crystal sea forever and ever more.  Love you my Dyl man. 

Close

1st grade!!  / Nana
Dylan we will always think of you on the first days of school as the years go by.  We will be thinking "Dylan would be in 1st grade this year ...2nd   3rd....each year.  We try to visualize what a big boy you would now be and the kind of year you would have given your teacher.  I'll bet it would have been interesting.  Mom probably would have come to know your teachers REAL WELL!!  You and Bubba are so totally different.  Papa and I were talking about you this morning at breakfast and wondering how excited you would have been to be going to big school and the time Mom would have had getting you ready.  Bubba was not as excited about school starting.  When he got to school this morning Mom asked if he wanted her to help carry all his "stuff" in and he said "No I've got it."  Mom is realizing that Bubba too is becoming a bigger boy and wants to do more and more things for himself.  Wish you could have stayed longer for us to enjoy you more...however God knew what was best for you and we can't question that.  Miss you love always and forever! Close

Luna...tonight!! / Nana
Tonight Luna is shining so big full and bright covering this part of our world with her glorious light.  She shines to bring your memory to our heart telling us that we'll never really be apart.  Her light makes the sky look like waves on the sea bringing your love from Paradise to me.  God sends us his Truth throughout all His creation bringing to our knees one and all nations.  Miss you so much little man!!!  Love u!!! Close

A new, old friend  / Nana
Dylan today a man who knew you when you were here came to Paradise.  He was a member of our church all the time you were here and was always asking about you.  After you left he always seemed to go out of his way to support and encourage us because he could see how devastated we were because you left.  Now his family has had to go through the same situation you did and they are having to let him go tonight.  This test of life is never easy and there is so very much we don't understand.  However we do know that God is in control and that He does what is best for the children he loves.  Welcome Mr. Les to Paradise.  He has two little grandsons who will be missing him so very much.  Meibe you can visit w/him some until they meet him again some day.  He'll like it if you maybe show him around.  Miss you little man. Close

The Heart  / Jennifer Evans, Joshua's Mom
The Heart

Please send this back but only if you mean it!

"Tomorrow morning" the surgeon began "I'll open up your heart..."

"You'll find Jesus there" the boy interrupted.

the surgeon looked up annoyed "I'll cut your heart open" he continued to see how much damage has been done..."

"but when you open up my heart you'll find Jesus in there" said the boy.

The surgeon looked to the parents who Sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done I'll sew your heart and chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."

"But you'll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."

The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle low blood supply and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."

"You'll find Jesus there too. He lives
there."

The surgeon left.

The surgeon sat in his office recording his notes from the surgery "...damaged aorta damaged pulmonary vein widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:
here he paused "death within one year."

He stopped the recorder but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did You do this? You've put
him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've cursed him to an
early death. Why?"

The Lord answered and said "The boy my lamb was not meant for your flock for long for he is a part of My flock and will forever be. Here in My flock he will feel no pain and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.

His parents will one day join him here and they will know peace and My flock will continue to grow..."

The surgeon's tears were hot but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months.. Why?"

The Lord answered "The boy My lamb shall return to My flock for He has done his duty: I did not put My lamb
with your flock to lose him but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept...
The surgeon sat
beside the boy's bed; the boy's
parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered "Did you cut
open
my heart?"

"Yes" said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy.

"I found Jesus there" said the
surgeon.

Author Unknown - Celebrate Jesus in 2009
Close

You are always in our hearts!!  / Nana
Dylan, ur Dad, Mom, Brady, Chase, me and Papa went on vacation last week.  We visited a beautiful island and hopefully created beautiful memories as a family..except u were not physically there w/us.  However, u WERE there with us in spirit and we know u were!! There were so many things that reminded us of you and brought you to our thoughts and words.  We went on a boat ride and while we were waiting there was a little boy w/his family waiting also.  His mom kept telling him to "stop doing that".  He continued until his mom said "if you take one more step I am going to spank you."  He stood there looking at her and then very slowly took one more step.  Your Dad and I were watching and I told him that you would have been the one to take "just one more step".  He replied that "Dylan, thought that the world was here just for him!"  He was right.  You gathered in everything that happened around you as if it was all just for you.  You taught us many valuable lessons...not the least of them that every day is a gift and we are to enjoy it to the fullest.  We did that last week and you would have loved being at the beach and "gathering in"  all the things we did.  It breaks my heart that we were never able share w/u the fun things that we did last week.  We also have to remember though that you are doing all the fun things we can't do now and we are the losers...you are the winner!  Hallalula!!  See you later.  Close

We miss making the memories.  / Nana
Papa and I have missed being able to create the memories with you that we were able to build with Bubba.  We were never able to have you stay with us when Dad and Mom went out to eat, or "whatever".  We never had the opportunity to have you come to our house and spend the night.  There are so many wonderful memories we have with Bubba when he came to stay with us.  We would play, read books, snuggle, climb up and down the stairs, take many, many pictures to share...so many everyday things that became special because it was time with him.  One thing for sure...we will have eternity to be with you and to enjoy times that will NEVER end!!!  What is even more special is that we will all be able to enjoy it together...forever!!!  Hallalula!!!! Close

Three and counting  / Nana

You left our world and went away three years ago today.  Yet the pain remains as if it were only yesterday.  It just can't be that you've been gone longer than you were here.  Every day we remember the smiles and memories with a silent tear.  Dylan, it's been three long years since you went away.  You walked away from us the 16th day of May. You left us here with broken hearts and never-ending tears.  The time seems fast yet also slow as we count the years.  With joy, we recount each day God blessed us and let you live, to bring to our lives the love only you had to give.  There are so many lives you were here to touch.  The people you changed still love you very much.  We know you live now in Paradise and play on Heaven's shore.  What more could we ask then to join you and live forevermore?  Love you, Dyl man! 

Close

Three years ago tonight  / Nana
Dylan, three years ago tonight we had said our last "goodnights" to you this side of Heaven.  We never realized that Paradise was so close that night...nor Heaven.  We know now that Jesus and angels were there waiting to take you Home.   Mother's Day was that day and you had greeted Mom with "Happy Mother's Day, Mom" and the day seemed to be normal as it went along.  Dad sent Mom flowers from you and Brady and she was so excited.  During the day, you told Mom several times that your head hurt but we never dreamed the reason why.  Looking back, we can't understand why we did not realize something was not right.  When Papa and I told you our "Goodnights" you started bouncing around on the bed saying "Nana! Nana!"  I thought you wanted to prolong us leaving so you would not have to go to sleep so early and I told you "I'll see you in the morning" and left.  Papa told you "Goodnight" and of course we always told you how we love you.  I will never know what you wanted to tell me that night; or not until we get to Paradise and you can tell me.  All the hurt and loss comes again when we reach this date.  It does bring us three years close to seeing you again though.  How we all anticipate that day...someday!!  Goodnight, my darling!  I love you!! Close

This time of year  / Nana
Dylan, this time of year is always especially hard for us all.  We think back to when you were here and at that time we had such hopes that you would be able to stay with us for a long time...at least longer than you did.  It is difficult to welcome spring and summer when everything is growing and blooming without regrets that you are not welcoming them with us.  We are however thankful for the springs and summers you did share with us and we did so enjoy them.  You were always up and ready to go for any and every adventure.  Everything you did was an adventure for you and we try to face our adventures with as much enthusiasum (?) as you always did.  You showed us so much about life and living.  You also taught us what was important and what was not.  There are days when we are working outside that I hear you say "Look up, Nana!"  When I do look up...there is something there that I might have missed if I had not looked.  Continue to speak to our hearts, little man!!!  Love u!! Close

Celebrate Easter, little man!!!  / Nana
Dylan, this afternoon I have been thinking how wonderful it would have been to watch you, Bubba, Chase and Cade hunt eggs and run around in your yard.  There are so many things we will not be able to do with you like we did with Bubba.  We will miss that, but I know you have had an Easter celebration in Paradise like no other that we will every have here on earth.  Enjoy and know that our love for you is forever and ever!! Close

Thank you!  / Kelly Fleming

Thank you so much for the Easter bag you left at my daughter's bedside at Children's Hospital in the PICU.  My daughter, Kathryn, is in the PICU after having her 10th surgery.  She is 22 months old.  She just had a larynx reconstruction and trach removal.  She is doing good.  I just had to come to this website and read about little Dylan and what your family went through.  Please know that my heart was so touched by your story.  God bless you and your family and you are in my prayers!

With Christ's Love;

Kelly Fleming

 

Close

Happy Easter, Dylan!!  / Nana
Dylan, tonight we know that you are celebrating Easter in Paradise with Jesus.  What a celebration it must be!!  One day we will be with you to celebrate also...Hallalula!!  Today we had an egg hunt at the new church for all the children.  There were lots of new children there and many of the children that you were with when you were here.  Your Nan and I stood and talked some about you and there were tears but we know that you have no tears...you hv no reason to be sad or lonely.  We missed watching you run and play with all the other children (Bubba and Chase, also) but we know that you are running and playing with all the children in Paradise.  Nan told me that there was a rainbow yesterday after the storms.  We know that God lets you help paint the most beautiful rainbows.  Nan said that this rainbow was not really curved but more up and down...pointing up, like you always enjoyed looking up!  We miss u every single day and love you so very much.  Close