July 17, 2013

Dear Dylan,      

Ecclesiastes 3:
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Your parents and family have entered upon a season, precious baby boy, where we all eagerly await your arrival. During this season, however, we have also experienced the heart-wrenching loss of one of the greatest men you could have ever known in your lifetime: your Grandpa. It was on this day, July 17, that he gave up his courageous battle against an illness that consumed his body for 18 years. He was so desperately trying to hang on to see you, though, baby Dylan, even if only for another month. He looked forward to having another grandson, and he asked about you daily, even in times when he struggled to understand anything else. He understood how important you are, and he loved you more than you will know. He would reach out from his bed just to touch you in my tummy. It hurts me so much to know that you will never feel the direct touch of his large but comforting hands. However, your dad and I still feel that he will see you and he will know you, and a part of his legacy will live on in you. You may never feel him, or hear his voice, but he will be watching you from Heaven, where he is finally at peace and still, living with the One who created you both.

If he could talk to you, he would tell you he loves you. He would probably tell you he was proud of you, and he would probably encourage you to do anything you wanted or be anything you wanted. He would give you lessons on the facts of life, and you would be at ease just being with him. He would lead you by example to a life of morals and integrity, and the understanding of hard-work and gratefulness for the life you have. Of course, you have your daddy, your mommy, your Nana, your Grandma, your other Grandpa, and a slew of aunts and uncles and cousins to teach you all these things as well. But we will never forget the man you never had the opportunity to meet, and we will tell you about him as often as we can.

We know God has a plan, and all things work together for his purpose, though sometimes its hard to understand. Thanks to the friends and family visits since his passing, I never knew so much about your Grandpa as I do now, even if all we have left are the memories. He truly was a remarkable man, and words can’t express the void he has left in all our hearts. And I hope that when you come, there will be a part of you that is just like him.

Never forget how special or how loved you are, Dylan. You come from a long line of family who will remind you of this, I am sure. And know that this includes the one Grandpa (Paco) who will be smiling down on you from Heaven.

Love, Mom.