The Dress

The Dress

So empty, it hangs there
The dress that she will never wear

So adorable, dressed by angels
So joyful, wrapped in love
So free, embraced by God
So hopeful, taken up above

So empty, it hangs there
The dress that she will never wear

I miss you, Baby Girl!
Love, Mommy

Poem by BeBe

He knows the steps before us
He holds them in His hand
In faith we walk in darkness
Not knowing all His plan.

But He is ever present
His love with healing grace
Is there, but for the asking
When we just seek His face.

He is the source of mercy
And love that never fails
His angels all about us
Hell’s gates cannot prevail.

He’s called me, dear, to love you
To keep you at His throne
He saved you for His glory
And now, you’re not your own.

For He’s the master potter
And we are just the clay
The vessels at His choosing
Bowed down to live His way.

I’ve prayed His healing Spirit
Would hold us in His love
And give us understanding
His wisdom from above.

The pain we feel reminds us
His sacrifice of blood
Was spilled for our redeeming
Mingled down into the mud.

He died for all the heartache
For sins and sorrow shared
We do not know tomorrow,
We do know He cares.

Her spirit is in glory
Forever praising Him
And one day we will join her
United once again.

I miss her little body
The dreams that night have been
Her laughter and her giggles…
To see her once again.

I love you, child, forever
You’re bathed in prayer each day
To feel His loving kindness
As you go along your way.

Be still and feel His presence
His comfort wrapping round
He holds all our tomorrows
Our peace, in Him is found.

BeBe (Rylan’s grandmother)
This poem was reproduced with permission from the author

Five months old

My sweet baby would be five months old. Gosh, I miss her!

I feel like I have really come to grips with her death and losing her forever. I seem to be "okay." It is kind of strange how time is healing my heart and causing me to forget what use to be so vivid and clear. It is not that I want to forget her, but slowly I am...and that is okay. She will always have a special place in my heart, but I have chosen to stay in the "light" and move forward in the life God has set before me. I can see how it would be so easy to slip into the darkness and sadness in my situation, but I will not and cannot because God has something better for me and my family. Each day, I wake up and choose press on regardless if I am missing Rylan, don't feel like getting out of bed, or just feel down. It is truly a battle between light and dark, and I am confident that whatever God brings my way...I will stay in the light and He will be right by my side.

In His Hands

I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, I still possess.
-Martin Luther

Bishop Riley assured his flock, " Those whom you laid in the grave with many tears are in good keeping: you will yet see them again with joy. Believe it, think it, rest on it. It is all true."

For three things I thank God everey day of my life: thanks that he vouchsafed me knowledge of his work; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to- a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song.
-Helen Keller

John 14:1-3

Hope for Heaven

Knowing that Rylan is safe and secure in the arms of Jesus in heaven is one of my heart's greatest treasure. It is the hope that is bringing me out of this dark valley and reminding me of the light of eternity. When I think about being with Rylan again, tears of joy fill my eyes and heart. Someday, I was hold my baby tight and once again our heart will beat as one.


I am dying from my grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Misery has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, "You are my God! My future is in your hands." Psalm 31:10, 14-15

There Will Be a Day

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth,
that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always

I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone

Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

I can't wait until that day where the very one I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery this is why this is why I sing

Artist Jeremy Camp

Three Months without Her

Here in Heaven

Here I am, Lord
I am free
Here I Come, Lord
Your love and angels now surround me

Here I Pray, Lord
Be with those I have left behind
Here I Hope, Lord
Remind them we will be reunited in your time

Here I Live, Lord
Help them to rejoice for me daily
Here I will stay, Lord
Forever, I will always be their baby

Kristah Slate

Here is a montage I created with our memories of Rylan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgMzN_Q8mRc

Dear Rylan,
You would be three month old today...smiling, cooing, and having fun with your brothers. But, you are in heaven listening to beautiful lullabies and being held by Jesus. So we rejoice for you and cling to the promise that we will see you again someday. We miss you dearly and wish we could hold you just one more time. You are always in our hearts.

Mommy & Daddy