Thank you for all your support. We have been surrounded by family and friends, and can feel all of your prayers and love lifting us up during this hard time. We love reading the comments...it helps so much. Our extended family gathers around the laptop and we read them aloud often.
It has been a long week. I will continue to update this website, and will post pictures and insight from Gavin's funeral soon. For now we are holding fast to one another and trying to make our way through this.
{ This is my family }
Sunday, September 28, 2008
The day after
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29 comments:
Hey bethany I have been thinking about you guys and came accross your blog today. I ve been a bit out of the loop from my pregnancy recovery. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers we love you all. let us know if we can do anything to help.-Maegen n Joe Cruz
The funeral yesterday was truly touching and I thank you all so much for us at the hospital take care and fall in love with your little guy. His story has truly touched me and I will never for it or his beautiful smile. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Gavin's funeral was amazing!! And Bethany you looked so beautiful. I will never know how you put such an amazing program together so quickly & all while grieving (great friends & family- I guess)!! Mary's Lullaby brought lots of tears, but warmed my heart...I love that song and was so glad to see it on the program, it was very fitting!! You were so lucky to have such a sweet little spirit in your home. And I cannot think of a better home he could have been sent to! I came home yesterday and thought a lot about Gavin and how similar he was to the Savior-- he came to earth, for just a short time, but brought with him a message of love, service and giving! All the lives he touched and awareness he gave us...about Alpha 1 and becoming an organ donor. How many lives will be saved because of Gavin?!! I love your goal of 70 donors, by the way. However, he couldn't have accomplished so much without 2 devoted & loving parents, like you and Andre. I know that's the reason he came to your home. You guys are amazing. Looking back I don't know how you did it all-- the garage sales, fund-raisers, silent auctions, taking care of Gavin, plus all the day-to-day responsibilities you already have. You've accomplished a lot in one year!
Bethany, I'm sorry I haven't said much to you lately...I'm so scared I'll say the wrong thing or burst into tears! But it kills me to think of the pain you've had to endure! And I know are still enduring!!! If I could take some of that pain from you I would, in a heart beat!!! I think of you several times a day and pray that you will feel comfort and love. If there is anything you need, please let me know. I'd love to help you in any way I can!!
bethany,
i am so sorry for all you and your family has been and is going through. i just found out about it a couple weeks ago. i am so impressed with how strong you have been through it all. you are such an amazing daughter of God and he must have incredible trust in you to place one of his precious sons in your care. what an amazing mom you have been to gavin (as well as your other kids) in his short time on earth. im sure heavenly father is very well pleased with your efforts. i cant imagine the pain you are going through, but i do know that you will see gavin again, that you will have the opportunity to raise him and love him in the not too distant future(according to gods timing)
i love you and am grateful for your example of faith trust and love.
love michelle parker (lloyd)
p.s. i dont know if you remember eric parker, but we got married almost 3 years ago. who would have guessed!
Bethany & Family,
We continue to hold your family in our prayers. Today I asked my church family to hold you up in prayer. Many of us (from LiverFamilies) are working hard at spreading the word of organ donation in Gavin's name. Please take the time when you feel up to it to read Erika's (Eme's mom) blog. Lots of love coming from northern Illinois.
Bethany and Andre, Gavin will always have a special place in my heart, I will miss his smiling face. Maria, RN Banner Children's Hospital
I am so, so very sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine...
one of the hardest things after losing a child is a flood of things we did for our child that we can no longer do. it becomes a river of loneliness and despair. you want to tell the whole world how much your child meant-means-to you and how important his life was even though it was short.
this website has been a blessing, and will continue to be so because you have literally been able to do just that. as you have shared gavin's story with us, we have been able to share our feelings for him. in this way you have been able to see how he has established significance in so many lives. i know how much this means.
always hold each other close. andre + bethany = gavin ... forever.
love & prayers, nancy
So happy to hear from you.
I check here often hoping that you will be here.:)
The service was AMAZING and so very touching. I was so happy to be surrounded by that beautiful boy's pictures EVERYWHERE! Thank you for sharing him with us....and the world. I am glad that you are holding fast to one another. The song I am listening to now says, "these are the moments, these are the times..." so true. The EXACT moments and times to hold fast to. I love you and you are amazing.
The Spirit that was felt at the funeral services was most precious and real. We love your family and you are continually in our thoughts and prayers. I loved hearing President Robinson's perspective on miracles and the miracles that lie within your family's lives that will bind you all together...forever. May our Father in Heaven hold you and comfort you as you go forward with faith and hope.
Hey Bethany, I am sorry we didn't make it to the funeral but we wanted to be there and have been praying for you and thinking of you all week. I am sad I never was able to meet Gavin, but I always had so much fun reading your blog and seeing the pictures and movies. He is a special boy, that is for sure. I really hope that Heavenly Father comforts you at this time, and we will keep you in our prayers. Know that we are thinking of you and sending our love.
You've been in my thoughts all weekend long.
Thank you for taking the time to update. Sweet Gavin is always on my mind.
Sven (from LF)
From one mom to another who knows what it is like to lose a sweet little boy, I am deeply sorry. My heart and soul ache for you at this time. We don't live far from one another. If you need a "moment" or something, we can do lunch when the dust settles. you can email me at dbkunz4@cox.net
I am soooo sorry. You are such a wonderful person.God bless your beautiful family.
We will continue to keep your family in our prays. Keep the faith you little man is also watching over you.
You're still in my thoughts almost constantly. I love the picture on the top of the blog. You are such a beautiful family. I'm so sorry that Gavin isn't here right now. I can only imagine the immense loss. I do believe, though, with all my heart that families are forever and you will be reunited. Although, I'm sure it doesn't make you miss him any less. I pray that as so many of us lift you in prayer, and mourn with you, that your burden will be even slightly lifted.
We love you!
You continue in my prayers, with love, Megan (tannersmom)
I hope you don't think we are stalking you guys, I just feel like I've known your family forever as I've gone to your blogs to check on your little man. The funeral service was so sweet and special. I've never gone to a baby funeral, but those that spoke did a great job and I know you'll get to raise him again. I especially liked how someone spoke of how you two got together and that was a miracle in and of itself. Hang in their guys. You have a beautiful family. Heavenly Father is proud of you and loves you.
It was a beautiful and touching funeral for a beautiful little boy. I just wanted to mention that at the dedication of the grave, there were some birds singing in a tree. They were very close to the area and were singing this sweet little song. I thought at the time that it was an unusual time of the day for them to be singing. Mornings are usually the time that you hear them. I really believe they were meant to be there and that this was one of the tender mercies that the Lord gives us to let us know that He is aware of us and loves us. It really had an impact on me. I don't believe the birds were there singing as just a mere coincidence. I just wanted to share this with you.
Love,
Rhonda
We are so sorry to here about sweet Gavin's passing. We've been following his story for several months through the "vanandvidasgkids" extended family emails and this blog. Your experience has truly touched our hearts and given us a new perspective on eternal families.
May the Lord give you the strength to get through this incredibly difficult time. We can not begin to imagine your pain, but the Lord understands and He can fill the hole in your hearts.
You are all in our prayers, as well as little Gavin who is now strong and well.
Love,
Craig and Laura Przybyla family
(Ruth Brinton's granddaughter)
Bethany & Andre,
You've been on my mind constantly...I fall asleep thinking about you, I wake up thinking about you. There are no words - I am so, so sorry for your loss. I've been thinking of a way to honor Gavin's short life & have asked all those who visit Emerson's COTA site to register as organ donors in Gavin's honor. I have a friend, Chelle, whose son Carter is also recovering from a multi-organ transplant (liver, bowel, pancreas) in Boston. She is doing the same. I will tally our total and send it to you in the coming week. You may want to read some of the comments on Eme's guestbook too. There are so many wonderful, warm wishes for your family. It's not much, I know, but I'm hoping it will help in some small way to see how many lives little Gavin has touched. If all those who registered in Gavin's honor are someday able to donate even 1 organ, so many lives will be saved!
God Bless you...you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
With Love,
Erika White (Eme's mom from LF)
www.cotaforemersonw.com
Gavin's funeral was so beautiful. I have not been able to stop thinking about you, and how hard this must be. We kept praying and holding out hope for a miracle for Gavin. I loved everything that was said at Gavin's funeral, and it helped heal the pain I was feeling in my heart for you. I will continue to pray for your comfort at this time. What amazing examples of love you have been to me, you could not have done more for your special little baby. I believe you will be tremendously blessed from here on out because of the things you have gone through, and the love you had for Gavin. If you need anything we are here for you!
Bethany and family, I think and pray for you every day! Gavin will forever be a special little guy to me. Many huge and prayers coming from Tennesee.
Love,
Christi & Caden Thompson LF
Bethany-
My mother told me the funeral was beautiful, emotional, and spiritual. The hardest days are ahead and so I want you to know that my mother is an amazing person and you can talk to her anytime, anyday. She has been where you are and has learned much on how to live through it. When you are ready ,ask her to see my blog and my friends blog. I think you will see from comments on them that Gavin touched more lives than you realize and you are being prayed for from all around the world. You are always on my mind and I pray you will be able to "feel" Gavin even if you can't see him. God be with you always Bethany.
Desiree
Amen to what Becky said. You are such amazing people Bethany and Andre. You are so much in my thoughts and prayers even though I don't know very well what to say or do to help. If there is anything at all, please let me know. Gavin's funeral was beautiful and touching. He will never be forgotten. May God be with you and comfort you and see you through.
Bethany, Andre, Joenick and Evienne, and extended family;
We have been reading Gavin's story really close and it really got to the bottom of my heart. I admire you both for your strength. Just know there are people you never met that truly LOVED your little guy, he definetely was and is very special for lots of people.You are very special too. We pray for you every day. We admire you.
I am so tremedously sorry for your loss. Words cannot even begin to explain how much I wish I could take the pain away that you are feeling. I deeply regret that I was not able to meet your beauitful and amazing little boy! I truly believe you will receive endless blessings for all the challenges and trials you have endured through all of this. I so wish that I could have been there for you, and your family through this time. It has been so long since I have seen you, but please know that you will always be in my thoughts and prayers, and when the time is right I would love to come see you and your family. Take comfort in knowing that your beautiful little boy is now healthy and happy and playing with your dad and Grandpa Dill :). This story has touched my life in ways that I cannot even verbalize. How great it is to know that you were able to bring such an amazing spirit into this world that has had such an impact on so many lives. May his story live on and continue to encourage people in becoming donors. With that, you can add one more tally to your list. I am now a registered donor because of this. I love you Bethany! -All of my love to you and your family during this difficult time. TERRA WELCH XoXoXo
Terra, please come visit! You know where I'm at! :) E-mail me at Gavin's email address, and I'll send you my cell phone number!
Bethany--I just posted a comment under a different one of your posts, but I forgot to tell you that after I finished reading your entire blog, I signed up as an organ donor! Something I've been meaning to do for literally years. Dunno if they can use anything from this tired old body, but it will be there for the taking. Thanks for your inspirational and very well written story of Gavin. Love, a Sister from Safford
I learned about your sweet little Gavin through Kylie's blog. I am so sorry for your loss. Just know that even people you don't know are praying for you and your sweet family. Thank you for your example of faith, and the love you have for your children. Heaven's blessings upon you and yours. LeAnn
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