Last night, Lillian peacefully ended her battle with cancer and joined Jesus in heaven. We miss her terribly, every corner of our house screams out her name. But we are comforted in the knowledge that she is restored to full health in heaven. I picture her with long hair and clear brown eyes running and laughing. Perhaps our Easter miracle is that her pain is over and she can be a happy little kid again.
I am sorry that I cannot call each of you personally to give the news and thank you for your endless encouragement. We are in the process of making service arrangements and I'll post again once those are settled.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking those who would like to contribute to donate to the pediatric oncology account of the Doernbecher Foundation in care of Lillian. Visit http://www.ohsudoernbecher.com/support/gift.asp for details on how to donate. We have met so many wonderful children battling cancer. I can think of no better tribute to Lillian than to provide for these other amazing kids.
God bless you all.
31 comments:
Oh Lori, I am so sorry. My heart hurts for you. I pray that you will be comforted at this time. There are no platitudes that can ease your hurt. Please know you are in our prayers. Love, Andrea
Maddy's Mom
Lori - We can't imagine your pain right now, but please know we'll continue to pray for you and Jeff. Our family lifted up special prayers for Lillian last night and Brad prayed specifically for God's will for Lillian. We know that your precious girl is safe in his arms and will celebrate this Easter with her Jesus. Your faith and her life will be a testimony to others. Thank you so much for sharing her with us through your writing.
Lori and Jef,
I pray that you will have strength in the months to come, peace during the quiet times and a heart full of wonderful memories! Lillian touched our lives so deeply, she will not be forgotten.
I know my sweet, beautiful neice was there to welcome her to heaven with a big hug, how special to be there for Easter, it must be an incredible homecoming.
She will be missed, and we will never forget her happy face riding the wooden boat in the clinic, she loved that rocker! God Bless you ten fold! Thank you for showing us all true strength, unconditional love and friendship during a difficult time.
I am here, I will be here always for you. We know Lillian will be our angel, looking over all the kids who have cancer, and filling them with her incredible strenth! What a fighter!
All our love,
Brooks, Katie, Christina, Coleman, and Grady Newsom
bkccnew@aol.com
Lori,
Your ability to write, your faith in God, and your sheer strength is truly inspiring. My whole family is praying for you and we send our deepest condolences.
Melissa (Stevens) Vaillancourt
You were given that little girl for a reason....Even though her precious life was cut short. She truly knew what love and family was by being with you. That in itself is a blessing...to truly be loved.
I send you good thoughts and please know that my heart goes out to you and your family.
You are in my prayers
Lori and Jef-
Im so sorry - I am thinking of you and am sending thoughts of comfort and love your way.
You are in my prayers.
Kari Lacey
Lori-
I am so truly sorry for your loss. I wish there were words that could take away some of the pain. Her footprints will forever be on your heart and she will be with you whereever you go. Your family has touched all who have been reading your progress. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
-Love Carolyn MacNaughton
Dear Lori and Jeff,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am praying for you two and that the lord give you strength in these hard times.
Sincerely,
Wynter (Grady's Babysitter)
Lori,
I am so sorry for your loss. Lillian was a blessed girl to have such unconditional love. My family sends it's deepest thoughts of love and sympathy to you and Jeff. Melissa (Zaval) Huey
Jeff and Lori,
I can't even imagine your heartache. I will be praying for peace that passes all understanding. Truly, only our Lord is the only one who can bring comfort.
Thank you for sharing your journey, your faith and your desire to follow Him through this.
I'll be praying for you throughout the coming months.
With love, Cheryl
Dear Lori & Jeff, I ache for you as I read your beautiful words describing Lillian's passing & "new life" in Heaven. I am so sorry. Our family has prayed BIG for Lillian since the first day we saw her on 10-North. Please know our prayers continue to be with you and we will remember Lillian as one of our Guardian Angels. Your courage and strength throughout Lillian's fight are inspiring to everyone around you. She will continue to live on in the lives of those who were touched by her gentle spirit and beautiful smile.
I send my love & support to you both.
Catherine
Maddie Colley's Mom
Dear Lori and Jeff,
There are no words that can make any of this better. Your strength and peace that Lillian is no longer hurting will hopefully ease the pain during this difficult time.
My thoughts are with you and Lillian. She is watching over you.
Love, Jordie Katcher
Lori and Jeff,
My heart aches for you both. I know deep in my heart, Lillian was given to you by God because of your enormous faith in Him. I will pray that your faith continues and you can find trust in His plan.
Amber K.
Lori and Jeff,
I am truly sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and your family and friends. My family (and extended family) has been praying for Lillian and for you daily since Lillian came into Grady Newsom's life. You and your little angel have touched many lives and inspired us all with your strength and faith.
I have meant to pass on a phrase from the lyrics of a song that our priest used in her sermon a few Sunday's ago, it touched me and I hope that somehow they will touch you.
The song is from a movie in which a little boy is in search of a miracle to save his mother. The movie is about his journey and the miracle he receives, even though it is not the one he was in search of. The lyrics go..."Even though it turned out wrong, he stood before the Lord of songs with nothing on his lips but Hallelujah"
I will be praying for strength, peace and comfort for you and Jeff in the coming days/months. Know that your Easter will be blessed by a special angel that has just received her wings and is whole again with the Lord.
God Bless you and your family.
Truely,
The Leitgeb Family
Brian, Nancy, Brandon, Jake and Brock
Lori & Jeff,
I am so saddended by your news. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Becki Shelly
Our hearts are with you.
Lori and Jeff -
We are surrounded by angels everyday and often find them in the most special of ways. Lillians journey and purpose will continue on and on as she will now watch over you as you watched over her.
We are surrounded by angels everyday and you have been touched by one is a very very special way.
My thoughts and love to you -
Robert Goman
Lori and Jeff--
Words are no good right now. Nothing sounds right. Just know I am praying for you and for your families.
Jennie
Lori and Jeff - Words can't adequately describe the saddness I feel for your family. The few times I met Lillian, she was always such a happy little girl. Her/Your strength that she showed during this entire battle has been truly inspiring. You are in the thoughts and prayers of the Ensminger clan and the USLT. Love, John Ensminger
Lori
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Jeff. May God bless Lillian.
Kenny Cohen
My heart aches for you. Lori I met you once at village and have been following your journey with your precious Lillian. You have inspired me to truly make each moment count with my own children.
Know that you are in our prayers and we are thinking of you.
Michelle Domeika
Jeff and Lori,
We are so saddened by your loss. I just can not imagine how difficult this is for you both. Your continued strength has been incredible. We know Lillian is in a good place.
Our deepest sympathy,
Rich and Sonia Doel
Sending you love and peace to comfort your hearts... Love Karen Schlientz.
Lori and Jeff,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my families thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Heidi
Lori and Jeff,
Although I've only known Lillian through the blog, photos and kind and loving words, I feel like she is a little niece to me. Such a sweet little girl. My positive energy and prayers are sent to you as you honor and continue to love her in the days, months and years to come. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending love your way,
Amy Frazer
Lori and Jeff,
I just can't express how sorry I am. She truly is an Angel and I'm sure she is watching over.
Our prays and thoughts to you, Jeff and your family.
With deep sympathy,
Melissa and Trey Harbour
Jeff and Lori,
My heart aches for you. I can't possibly know what you're feeling. Please know that Lillian touched my life deeply and will be thought of every day. Lillian lives on in Heaven.
Believing while my heart breaks for you,
robyn and baby Lexie
Lori -
I am so sorry for your loss. Lillian is truly a blessed angel that will be watching over you and your family. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Melissa McCarty
Lori & Jeff-
The last time I saw your precious Lillian was at the Halloween party at the office. She was so sweet and cute. I will keep those memories alive as I think of her. Please know you will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as you navigate through these upcoming months.
Sending my love your way.
Lisa Kleine
I've heard it said that God never gives us a burden that we cannot handle. When I look at Lillian's picture and see the smile on her face, I know that she handled her burden with humor and grace.
Sometimes we question God's motive or plan when bad things happen to good people. I am beginning to think that his plan for them is to serve as an example to all of us. It may be that only a select few have her strength. The rest of us might not know how to battle such a burden if we didn't have folks like Lillian to look to. All who ever encountered her are blessed.
Jeff and Lori, you are a fine example as well. Your faith is strong. It is obvious that you realize that our faith doesn't take us around things, it gets us through things.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Lori and family,
You do not know me, but I am a friend of Gabriel Ward's family, and I have been keeping up with Baby Lexie's blog and have heard a lot about Lillian. I am so sorry for your loss. My heart broke when I read the update. But just remember: Lillian is your angel now, and God is taking great care of her.
You will be in my prayers often.
~Kailey~
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