written by Danielle Davis
Don't Forget
Caitlyn's memorial service was last Saturday, and it was a perfect tribute to her in my opinion. There were over a hundred people at the service and we were so grateful and overwhelmed by everyone's love and thoughtfulness. We sang the hymns Jesus Loves Me, This is the Day, and I'll Fly Away. Carly's Mom read a beautiful poem she wrote called Cadence for Caitlyn. A video was played of pictures I put together of Caitlyn...which I thought was pretty neat, but Caitlyn's brother Graison thought was boring. :) I'll choose not to be offended by a 3 year old. I gave a brief presentation on FSMA and how much they did for Ryan and Carly, and the pastor gave a message at the end. In the middle of the service Ryan and Carly also shared what this experience has been like for them with little Caitlyn. Scriptures they quoted were John 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." and Isaiah 25:8 "He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all the faces..." Carly and Ryan shared that although it was difficult, choosing hospice was the best decision they could've made for their little Caitlyn. As one person wrote to them in a card, "You both did the most unselfish thing a parent could ever do for their child."
One of the things that struck me the most that Ryan and Carly said was "Don't Forget." We have all been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, prayers, and thoughtfulness of family, friends, and even strangers. I cannot express this enough. People have told us how Caitlyn has touched their lives even though they never met her. Caitlyn's story is certainly a story of tragedy, courage, and ultimately triumph over death. Her story is fresh in our minds now, but it is likely that it will start to fade. So, please...don't forget Caitlyn's story.
Don't Forget:
~that SMA stole our Caitlyn from us...that SMA is the #1 genetic killer of infants...that 1 in 40 people are carriers of SMA...that there is NO CURE or TREATMENT...that there could be soon with proper funding! Please consider making a donation to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This is a cruel disease, it is cruel to have a seemingly perfectly healthy baby for a few months and then to find out she will die in a matter of months as her body quickly fails her. It is cruel that on the weekend of what should've been the celebration of her 1st birthday we were having a memorial service for her instead.
~to pray for Ryan, Carly, and Graison and the rest of our families as we deal with the loss of Caitlyn and as we move forward. YOUR prayers and love are what have pulled us through. Your thoughts and the outpouring of kindness provide much needed warmth to our hearts. Please pray for the children still battling SMA, pray for a cure!
~that Jesus is a SAVIOR. Jesus saved Caitlyn. Caitlyn beat SMA. Jesus said "This is Enough!" and took Caitlyn home to live with Him forever. He did not let her suffer long and for that we PRAISE GOD! I have said this before, but I'll repeat it....while we grieve and mourn the loss of Caitlyn, it is with JOY we know she is in a better place. Not just better, but the most magnificent, glorious place that exists...Heaven. While we grieve the childhood Caitlyn will never have on Earth, that she will never go to college, never marry, never have children...she will also NEVER suffer again. She will see Jesus everyday and walk the streets of Heaven. What could be better than that? What more could we want for Caitlyn? Our greatest hope for Caitlyn has been realized....she has been SAVED.
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