We were sent a poem yesterday called “Awkward Silence” by Richard Dew* that states:
That he be forgotten is what I fear,
That no one will ever his presence miss,
As if there were no trace he was here.
By referring to him, my purpose is,
Not to stir pity or keep things the same.
But my heart will simply break if his…
Memory will die like a flickering flame.
I have come to realize that the predominant fear of almost any parent who has lost a child is that your precious one be forgotten by others.
Which is why the gift Drake/we were given today by his colleagues at Vanguard University is particularly poignant, touching us deeply. The people who work in the Enrollment Services Center and others across campus were donning button badges today that read “I’m a Bud of Jud the Stud” in honor of the one year homegoing of our boy.
How could a grieving parent not burst into tears at such a loving, thoughtful, apt gesture?!!? What an incredible gift!
*Thank you Helcels for your card with clippings of encouragement!
**Thank you Jessica and Enrollment Management for your love and support! And thank you Tawny for designing the button—what a blessing!
A handful of Jud’s Buds at Vanguard.
Christina and Drake,
What an extremely thoughtful gift to give to you at this sensitive time of Jud’s Homegoing 1 year memorial! Though I never did get to meet this incredible son of yours, glimpses of his beautiful person come alive with every blog that I read about him. Heartfelt sympathy and prayer go out to you from myself and our family. Thank God for His strength, mercy, and hope… hope of eternal life and reuniting with our loved ones who are with our Lord Jesus ahead of us.
Christina,
Although I also never got to meet Jud face to face, there has not been a day since I first learned about your precious boy that i have not thought about him. He is truly unforgettable. He stole my heart and shall forever have it.
I am glad you have such wonderful friends who love you all so dearly and honor Jud’s anniversary in such a special way. You are so loved!
Blessings!
sandy
I also may not have ever met Judson but ever since finding your blog back in July of last year there hasn’t been a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. I talk about him to my family and friends, and even they all *know* who Judson is! I think about and pray for you and Drake often too!
I am so glad to hear that there are such wonderful people in your lives who are helping to carry you through.
God bless you!
Amy
Dear Christina and Drake,
It would be impossible for me to ever forget my little friend, Judson. How blessed I am to have such sweet memories of him – of holding him when you first brought him home from the hospital, of sharing his love for all of the birds outside my window, of hearing his first word, watching his first steps, loving how he always wanted to come to visit me, seeing him in his little red car, and remembering him swimming in the pool in my front yard. But most of all, remembering his heart – his beautiful, loving heart. Never could I forget him – never will I stop sharing about my little friend. I am a "Bud of Jud" for life – and I know that someday I will get to talk with him and play with him again.
I love you both, and Jessie too.
June
Dear Christina and Drake,
We are going to copy Jud’s badge and wear it too!!!
You know we have an idea….just a thought. Maybe someday you could start a charity in Jud’s name.It could be funded in so many ways; and you could do it yearly. Back in our hometown in Illinois….a little girl who name was Samantha passed away from Cystic Fibrosis.Every year they have fund raisers; and then promote it through the local newspaper. Everybody looks forward to "Sam’s" charity.Her memory just lives on and on….and helps so many children in so many different ways. Just hold on to God….HE will get you through the harder days. Just love you all so much…..hugs to Jessie~Jean and Gary
Love you Christina, Remember Judson’s life may have been short, but such an impact. May God give you strengh tomorrow.
I’m so sorry to leave such a long comment on here but I can’t find an email address for you.
I am one of your faithful followers/supporters. I read your blogs all the time – You have an official day of the week on my prayer calendar devoted simply to your grief and your life.
I often think of you as I read scripture and this week was no exception, especially as tomorrow draws near.
Yesterday I read 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Cor 5:1-3 says
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked."
Verses 6-8 go one to say,
"Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
Paul could certainly understand longing to be rid of this body, sins, frustrations and weaknesses as well as suffering. Isn’t it such a comfort to know that our very brother in Christ who also suffered much longed to be with his maker? Paul’s God was and is the same God we serve who keeps the ocean in it’s place. Christina I am completely grieved by your loss as a sister and I am crying with you over your anniversary tomorrow. I will be praying for you starting at 6 am and will continue all through the day – pleading with our Heavenly Father for you to keep your eyes on Him and His unchanging attributes of love and mercy and the fact that He ALWAYS keeps His promises.
In Christ, Jen Gray