Have you ever considered thanking the people in your life? We are taught to be grateful and thankful for everything. I pray to God every night - I’m so thankful to Him for everything and everyone that’s in my life. But do they know it? Do they know how they’ve affected me? Do they know how they have blessed me? I read the writings on my Facebook wall and I smile. I am blessed with an enormous circle of friends but a blanket THANK YOU just doesn’t seem fair enough. If my family has ever crossed your prayers or thoughts, thank you. I’m not wanting to exclude people but in a quick way - I want to share a few special people in my life and I want you to see how amazing they are and mostly, I want you to see how Jonah has touched my life. Consider for a moment, that most of these people came directly into my life via Jonah or his heart condition. Family and close friends aside, Jonah blessed me with some of the most supportive and loving people that I’m fortunate enough to know. Will you take a moment and read their names and read how they’ve touched me……and if you aren’t mentioned, it doesn’t mean I love you any less….this was just a quick list. (The abbreviated list, if you will.)
@Jessica Fite - I love you and your sweet family. I love that you have your very own Jonah with a heart similar to my Jonah’s. I love that our Jonah’s are close to the same age. I love that you are my friend. All these similarities are truly a work of God. Your Jonah has his very own Jonah angel.
@Brandy Pate - Thank you for being at ACH at the same time. I’ve always talked about little Avery’s cries from next door. It was so sweet and I couldn’t wait to hear Jonah cry. I never had that chance. But I loved watching Avery. I love that she is doing so well. When I met Avery, she had just been placed on the transplant list. Now, she’s been off of it for awhile and doing so well. Praise the Lord!
@Katrina Payton - (You didn’t come into my life via Jonah but you’re here.) Thank you for calling me to help decipher Jonah’s heart problems. Thank you for encouraging me during the worst of times. Thank you for always being there.
@Charley Staggs - You’re just awesome. And Wyatt is, too! Thank you for being one of my most treasured friends brought to me directly from Arkansas Children’s Hospital! (While Wyatt was recovering from his heart transplant, I delivered some things to ACH and met his momma for the first time!) I love you!
@Angie Kattich - Another one that has always been there. But Jonah brought us closer. Thank you for all you’ve ever done for my family, and for just being there when you have enough on your plate as it is.
@Gloria Plymale - My heart breaks for your family. I never sugar-coated grief - it never gets any easier. Thank you for visiting us at ACH, rescuing Elijah w/Heather and taking him to the zoo and for reaching out to me after the tragic death of your niece.
@Shayna Johnson - I love you, girl! You’ve let me vent on you and write page-long messages and you’ve always been encouraging and supportive. You’re awesome!
@Tracy Scott - Thank you for ALWAYS being there. I know we became friends in high school but I can’t remember you not being in my life. I know Jonah’s funeral was tough on you since you lost your dear, sweet Ashley, but thank you for coming to my aid, holding me and letting me cry on your shoulder. I love you for always.
@Leah Helms - Oh, sweet Leah. You’re just a great person. Our little men were in the same rooms (months apart, of course) at ACH and both lost their fight too soon in life. Your strength after losing 2 children is amazing and a true testimony of your FAITH. Thank you for being a pillar of strength….even though the phone lines don’t work too well from Arkansas to Mississippi.
@Kerry Morton - Thank you for being there when I made my first trip back to ACH. At a time, when you needed to be held up, you held me up. I will never forget your sweet, sweet Glory and the amazing love she brought into this world.
@Whitney Tappan - Who doesn’t need to thank Whitney? If you’ve ever had a CHD baby at ACH, you probably know and love Whitney. She’s an amazing nurse in the CVICU that treats every baby with love and tenderness!
@Joey Walker - You’ve always been there when I needed you. You are an amazing mother to Ethan and Jared and a great person to know! I love watching your little CHDer grow and thrive!!
@Kristen Myers - Seems like we’ve been friends for awhile now, but you reached out to me during our stay at ACH and hooked us up with an awesome anesthesiologist. I remember when your friend stepped up to be Jonah’s doctor, his previous anesthesiologist was (sarcastically) offended. We had them fighting over my sweet baby. Thank you always.
@Joy Clark - For always reassuring that my grieving process is normal. Showing me that 17 years later, it’s still going to be painful and it’s still going to hurt. And this is one wound time will not heal.
@Bo Crowley - Just thank you! I love you. We were pregnant at the same time, and we were miserable together. I really had Kelsey picked out as Jonah’s future wife. (I’m sorry that Kelsey’s going to be missing out on being a Cox.) I love watching her grow - and I just wish she liked me more. J She’s beautiful and it’s a joy to see her knowing she’s just a few weeks older than Jonah.
@Sabra Odom (and Jon, but he chooses not to have FB but will read this) - Thank you for being amazing cousins. I know I never tell you that but I appreciate you coming to my aid during football right after Jonah passed away. It was so hard for me to face people but I didn’t want to deprive Elijah of football. I wanted Elijah’s life to be normal and you helped with that process. I love you guys. Especially, Sabra thanks for listening to me on those long phone conversations!
@Marcia Fletcher - THANK YOU! I remember stepping off the elevator at ACH and just hugging you. Thank you for coming to the aid of a mommy in need when you didn’t even know me. You reached out to a stranger and helped me so much. You guided me through my hospital stay and helped me deal with that one bad nurse. I love you, girl!
@Allie Bestwick - Aah, Allie! I love you! Thank you for your messages, thank you for allowing me to vent and thank you for being my friend always! Happy Anniversary!!
@Pastor Larry, Amanda and all of Grandview Church - Thank you for always being there for us. When Jonah passed away and we were heading back from Little Rock, Jason and I were discussing funeral plans with no idea where to start. Jason said he wanted to have the service at Grandview - he always felt that was home. I said Larry Shankle is the pastor there now. (I think Pastor Larry had been on the job a month and Jason & Larry had known each other since high school or maybe longer?) Jason said I couldn’t imagine anyone else doing Jonah’s service. It just seemed to be a God-given situation. The church put on a wonderful dinner for my large family. They were warm, generous and my family was so grateful for all they did on such a short notice.
Oh, gosh….our families….never would I forget you. A list of the visitors (and a few extras.) Jonah’s family - they loved him the most. They showed him love each day as they visited him, prayed over him, touched him and kissed him. He felt your love and he knew you.
Frank & Virginia Hayes, Tony & Dorothy Cox, Rob, Sarah, Makayla & Peyton Hayes, Stephen, Artricia & Logan Cox, Eric & Gennell Hutsell, Jim & Jeanie Grooms, Jocko, Sheri & Hayes Grooms, Sam, Mandy, Preston, & Reagon Kelso, Halie Grooms, Carl, Heather & Payton Cole, Jim McIlvain, Darren, Tammi, Zach and Luke Haley, David & Diane Lumpkin, Jason & Traci Lumpkin, Brandon & Lesli Lumpkin, Carolyn Duke, Nikki Pitts, and Harry & Lana Stephens.
I always say goodbye’s are never easy but they aren’t permanent either. We will be reunited with Jonah someday, in perfect health. But for now, he’s enjoying the best company that I know of our Father, and his grandparents and his aunt and uncle that have gone before us. As I count my blessings, I wonder who is more blessed me or Jonah.
We know the obvious answer.
Jonah’s 3rd birthday. July 19, 2009.
Ready or not, we’re going back in time.
I love you all!
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