Sweet Baby Jones

The Memorial Service for Martin was beautiful. Very difficult, but also very personal, sweet and touching. Doug & Morgan did an amazing job yet again honoring and paying tribute to Martin. They had some very personal items set up including pictures, his courage beads, Thunder Cat who had been with him in the hospital to protect him from the IVs and casts and to keep his head warm, and the belly bowl Morgan had cast from her belly during pregnancy to hold the programs, which turned out amazingly beautiful.

The preacher said some wonderful, appropriate things. Greg & I read the story to Martin. Doug played the piano for him. Morgan shared what he taught her and then they played a video of pictures set to some great music. I really enjoyed getting to see all of the pictures I’d never seen before and there was some humor built in, too, to help disperse the tears a little. Afterwards, we gathered outside in the glorious weather for food and fellowship at a friend’s parent’s house on lots of land. Generous people helped with the food. The love and support were palpable and very comforting.

It’s still very difficult and will continue to be. It tends to come in waves, but there has been a lot to be thankful for and to make you smile along the way.

 

Gathering VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Reading to Martin

On the Night You Were Born

by: Nancy Tillman

On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, “Life will never be the same.”

Because there had never been anyone like you, ever in the world.

So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain, that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name. The sound of your name is a magical one. Let’s say it out loud before we go on.

It sailed through the farmland, high on the breeze… (Who in the world is exactly like you, who, who, who?)

Over the ocean,

And through the trees

Until everyone heard it and everyone knew of the one and only ever you.

Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, such silly, wiggly wonderful toes. In fact, I think I’ll count to 3 so you can wiggle your toes for me.

When the polar bears heard, they danced until dawn.

From faraway places, the geese flew home.

The moon stayed up until morning next day, and none of the ladybugs flew away.

So, whenever you doubt just how special you are and you wonder who loves you, how much and how far, listen for geese honking high in the sky (They are singing a song to remember you by).

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo (it’s because they’ve been dancing all night for you).

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of wind (Listen closely, it’s whispering your name again).

So, if the moon stays up until morning one day, or a lady bug lands and decides to stay or a little bird sits at your window a while, it’s because they are all hoping to see you smile.

For never before in story or rhyme (not even once upon a time) has the world every known a you, my friend, and it never will, not ever again.

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born.

You are loved.

For Martin

For the non-Facebookers, I'm posting links to the Meal Calendar we've set up for locals to take meals to Doug & Morgan as well as the website we created through Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in honor of Martin to support the Cardiac ICU. We set an arbitrary goal of $1000 just to have something to work towards and watch progress and it took less than an hour to reach and surpass it! It's been amazing to watch as it's climbed to over $4000 now!! It feels so good to know how many children and families we are helping and impacting in Martin's name. Thank you to all who have sent kind words or loving deeds.

In Loving Memory