Book for Gavin

I am putting a small book together with pictures and stories about Gavin (mostly for his silblings, but also for us!). I read about the idea from another mom who had lost a child and she said it helped her other children remember their sibling. I thought it was a nice idea since Joenick and Evienne are so young and we might forget a lot of these special little stories over the years. I want them to be able to know Gavin as others knew him and to be able to sit down with the book whenever they miss him or want to feel to close him.

If anyone has any small experience or story that involves Gavin...just anything, can be funny, sweet, spiritual, a description of a time you spent together with him, things you remember about him, first impressions, etc, any small memory at all...if you could just jot it down real quick sometime this week and email it to me, I would really appreciate it. (The kids would be especially thrilled to read stories that involve them, too, if you have any!) If you have more than one, you can send them all! They don't have to be written "perfectly" just write whatever comes to you. They can be just a few lines or as long as you want.

Stories can be sent to: info@giftforgavin.org.


Thanks so much!

Poems

There were two poems included in the program at Gavin's funeral. It is a sort of a "tradition" in our family. One was written for him by my Aunt Nanette, and the other was written a long time ago by my Great-Grandma Vida when she lost her infant son, Robert. Knowing that she went through so similar an experience has helped me a little bit.

Gavin's Gift

Our gift was so precious,

With big brown eyes that stole our heart.

His tiny hands and feet so small,

A perfect baby from the start.

Our gift soon found new meaning,

His health seemed so unsure,

We never would have imagined,

A trial like this we would endure.

This road has not been easy;

We have shed a lot of tears,

But through these many trials,

We have memories to last for years.

He taught us how to love,

And how to truly give,

This special little guy of ours,

Has taught us how to live.

And we know if we could hear,

The words he'd share today,

Would be how much he loves us,

And then we'd hear him say:

I can't wait to be with Joenick,

And give hugs to Evienne, too,

I will walk right beside them,

As they journey this life through.

So don't think I'm not with you,

I won't leave you alone,

I will walk with my family,

As you journey towards your home.

So thank you for being,

The best parents a son could have,

You gave to me the most precious gift,

By being my Mom and Dad.

All my love, Aunt Nanette

Another little baby came to fill our hearts with love,

A tiny little stranger sent to us from Heaven above.

His hair as black as midnight, and he looked just like his Dad,

The sweetest little treasure a Mother ever had.

And oh, the joy and comfort this little fellow brings,

To be the Mother of this lad was sure a wonderous thing.

He did not tarry long with us, his days of life were few,

And Father's called him home again, a grander work to do.

We cherished him, and loved him, we were so proud each day,

It seemed we could not do enough his wonders to display.

And now he's gone to Heaven Above, great glory there to win,

Oh, just to be his Mother was sure a wonderous thing.

We do not feel to blame the Lord, for He knows always best,

He sent our precious baby here, then called him to his rest.

He came to get his body, but his spirit was so pure,

He did not need to take life's test salvation to secure.

And we know we shall meet 'ere long, if we keep free from sin,

Oh, just to be his Mother was sure a wonderous thing.

written by Gavin's Great-Great Grandmother Vida,

after the passing of her infant son