Remembering Gabriel

Little did we know the blessings of 2011 would give way to the "ultimate miracle" of 2012.  We miss Gabriel more than words can express.  Below are the feelings Emily and I expressed at Gabriel's memorial worship service held on Wednesday, February 08, 2012.  We know without any doubt that Gabriel is in the lap of Jesus.  But this knowledge does not prevent us from profoundly missing our little boy.

Emily’s Comments

I thank each of you for coming and showing us how many lives Gabriel has touched and how much he was loved. It means a great deal to us. For us his life was too short, even for all the hardships there was so much joy. It is amazing to me that someone who couldn’t speak a word was so loved. Yet his sounds and laughs spoke volumes. His amazing blue eyes had so much depth. They were a gift in and of themselves. I remember looking at the ultra sounds during my pregnancy and praying he would have blue eyes. How wonderfully that prayer was answered!

 

I am so thankful for the wonderful things we were able to experience with him from the hard work we asked him to do in various forms of therapy and watching it pay off in the smallest victories, to the joy of twirling him in our arms just to get a smile or a laugh from him, which gave us so much joy knowing that here was this simple thing we could do; and it made him so happy. (How I wish I could do that one more time before saying good bye.) Life is precious and fleeting, please try to remember that in the hard times.

We have wonderful memories of going on Family Retreats with him and seeing him have fun doing things like: being on a short horseback ride with us, or going up in a tethered hot air balloon ride. We had the gift of having Make a Wish help us by creating the perfect blend of bedroom and therapy room in our home for him. We got the joy of going to Disney World with him and a special friend (Andrea Bishopp) through Ace & TJ's Grin Kids and seeing how much fun he was able to have there even with limitations. This last year there was another special answer to prayer, a true friend for Gabriel, AJ. Thank you for the gift of love you gave him and us. We will treasure these memories.  I’m so thankful we did not let his limitations hold us back, but we pushed forward to help him realize his potential as best we could and so many people were there with us on the journey, to them, of whom there are so many, we give you special thanks.

Now he has unending joy and we are held back from sharing that with him for a while. The day will come when we get to celebrate with him again, in the mean time we will need your continued love and support.  As we look into an unknown future, I say, as in the words of: Job 1:21

Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked will I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.  He is worthy to be praised!

 More Life Than Most

Part One

By Glen Stephens

In the next few hours, we will commit Gabriel's body to the ground. In 42 years, I don't believe I have performed a more difficult act.

Thank you to all who have blessed us with your prayers, words of encouragement, warm thoughts, and tears.

Today, tomorrow, in the coming weeks, months, or even years when you see either Emily or myself crying; please do not mistake it for a loss of faith. Gabriel is in the lap of Jesus. He is smiling, laughing, running, skipping, hopping, playing, and regaling Jesus with stories of life here on Earth. The sweet sound of his voice is bellowing throughout Heaven as it never could here on Earth.

Rather when you see us crying, please understand those tears are because we miss the little boy who so completely blessed our lives. And at some point in the weeks, months, or even years to come; those tears will be tears of joy as we bring to mind one of the many fond memories we will treasure from his short years here on Earth.

We love you, “Little G.”

More Life Than Most

Part Two

By Glen Stephens

Isaiah 40:28-31

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

And to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

And young men shall fall exhausted;

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint.

Why would a loving God bring a child into this world with a disability?  Look around.  Take one look at our FaceBook pages.  Read our emails.  Listen to our voice mails.  More individuals have been affected by Gabriel’s disability and sickness than would have ever been touched by his health.  Let’s take a brief journey.  Shall we?

The doctors, nurses, food service persons, housekeeping, security, child’s life persons, administrators, etc of five hospitals in three cities have experienced Gabriel’s unconditional love and seen his brilliant smile.

The directors, boards of directors, and personalities of multiple charities have witnessed the joy that can come from helping a child in need.

The pastors, teachers, deacons, elders, staff and congregations of two churches have personally felt the warmth that comes from caring for a child.

The teachers, principals, administrators, and therapists of one of the largest school systems in North Carolina have experienced the satisfaction of helping a child succeed.

The therapists, office staff, and administrators of one of this city’s best pediatric therapy organizations have witnessed the power advocacy that comes out of a disability.

The campers, families, organizers, short term missionaries, and even the founder of one of this nation’s largest Christian disability advocacy organizations have all watched what happens with families dare to dream.

And Emily and I have each stretched our abilities well beyond that which we thought was possible to love, teach, comfort, and even exhort others.

And these don’t take into account the individuals touched as Emily and I advocate and witness thorough all of our personal and professional activities.

It is hard to believe that one little boy could have affected some many people.  But I have been assured by so many that Gabriel has touched even more individuals than have made themselves known in the last few days.

Revelations 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and the sea was no more.

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

So now we are left with the aftermath of Gabriel’s passing.  How do Emily and I get out of bed in the morning?  How do each of you go back to work?  The answer can be as simple as the scripture just read.  We hold on to the promise that Gabriel is made whole.  The wheelchair is empty.  The gait trainer is still.  The stander is rendered useless.  The AFO’s and SMO’s are now pointless.

Gabriel hurts no more.  He experiences no more sickness.  His back is straight.  His arms and legs are strong.  His laughter is clear!  And his laughter is heard throughout eternity as he runs through green pastures or listens to the stories of old from their Author.

As I have stated many times over the past few days, we don’t get the miracle for which we thought we prayed.  However, Gabriel gets the miracle he deserves.  I can’t speak for any of you.  But as for Emily and I, we will learn to live with a temporary separation from our son if that is the cost for him to be free from frailty and illness.

We pray that in the next few hours, days, weeks, or even months each of you will find peace in the knowledge that Gabriel is playing in heaven with the Author of Laughter.  God bless you all!