11 October 2008

A Celebration of Life

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How very softly you tiptoed into my world. Almost silently; Only a moment you stayed. But what an imprint your footprints have left on our hearts.


Sometimes, life brings you people who touch your heart deeply, and often times these are people you will never meet in person. Over the past few months, I have watched a young, vibrant and loving family, discover in June that they would be welcoming a little brother for their son Grayson, and then be told in August that their unborn son would likely live only a few minutes outside the womb (he was diagnosed with Anencephaly, a neural tube defect).

I know Jaimey through a Yahoo Group that I am a member of. She shared her story both with the group and on her blog, It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This. Her story is one of amazing courage and grace - of a family who was given the gift of a special, angel baby - and stood strong in their beliefs while facing challenges I cannot even begin to imagine.

What is truly amazing is that this is not a story of sadness and grief, but the story of the celebration of a very special life.

Jonathan Mitchell Buquet was born on Thursday, October 9th at 2:56 am. He weighed 1 lb. 3 oz. and was 12 inches long.

It was possible that Jonathan would not live through the birth process, but he did. It was likely that he would live only a few minutes after his birth, but he wanted more for his family - he stayed for almost 3 hours, giving them the opportunity to create a lifetime of memories in too short a time.

Jaimey, Zack, Grayson and Jonathan, you've touched my heart so deeply. You gave me perspective when I needed it most. You shared lessons of grace, strength and love that I might never have known. Thank you for sharing your story with such openness - for allowing so many of us to take part in this celebration of life!

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23 comments:

Hubman said...

What a touching but ultimately sad story, especially for me as a dad. Brings back memories of a buddies wife giving birth 12 weeks early. Fortunately their child survived and is know a vibrant thriving 9 year old.

I cannot for the life of me fathom the anguish a parent feels when they lose a child. God bless them.

Lu' said...

pause.

we're doomed said...

WELL SAID, and from your heart.

Anndi said...

Thank you Dana... how precious.

Real Live Lesbian said...

How beautiful that photo is. It's so loving and so touching.

I'm a teary mess, now, but my perspective is so much better.

Thanks for sharing Grayson with us.

Dana said...

Hubman, I've done my best to put sad aside, mainly because Jaimey and Zack asked the Johnathan be celebrated rather than mourned. They are amazing people!

Lu, I have so much to be grateful for!

Doomed, it was my heart they touched!

Anonymous said...

A picture is worth a 1,000 words and so much inspiration.

MrRyanO said...

It's posts like this that help to put other things in perspective. That was sad and beautiful. Bless them.

buffalodick said...

Truly a life-changing moment for them. Strength isn't always about muscles...

Schmoop said...

Incredibly sweet. Here's to the family and to memory of Jonathan.

Egads I am kinda choked up because this happened to one of my brothers when his wife delivered. I have experienced this bittersweet happening first hand. Okay...anyway...

Cheers Dana!!

Jaimey said...

Now it is you who has given me the tears. That was an amazing tribute to me and my family. We are truly grateful to everyone who is following our blog and watching our lives unfold as we do. We truly feel blessed to be continually lifted upby so much love and support being shared and showed to us. You and people like you are our strength. Thank you. I love you more than you will ever know. ~Jaimey

Karen said...

What an amazing story. That is courage. Beautiful.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Your words are so wonderful...reaching out to this family wracked by sadness...

Your heart is as large as the outdoors Dana and I, for one, am proud to call you a friend.

HUGS to you and prayers for the entire family.

Anonymous said...

A moving tribute to an amazing family...

My prayers for them and my praise to you for a wonderful telling of the story...

Very nice, Dana.

As American as Apple Pie said...

Whoa...this hit me at a most inopportune time. Oct 24th will be the 8th birthday of my son, Liam, who also had anencephaly. Usually October is a month when I struggle mightily, but so far I've been ok. I think I've been preoccupied with other things.

I totally know what Jaimey is going through because I've been there. I will go over to her blog. The little picture of Jonathan looks so much like my Liam, except he was 5 lbs.

Dana said...

Anndi, it's been an amazing story to follow!

RLL, I've been a teary mess since finding out in August that this special child would be her such a short time!

Kannon7, the photography they've had done has been just amazing!

Dana said...

RD, they really are an amazing family!

Buff, a life changing moment for many of us!

Matt-Man, I had never had any experience with this, but was so impressed with how the Buquet's handled it!

Dana said...

Jaimey, I'm so glad you stopped by! I was so touched by all of you, and especially by Johnathan. He is an amazing gift!

Karen, it really is an amazing story.

Bond, I was just so humbled by their story and felt so privileged to be able to share it.

Dana said...

Tall Guy, they are a family that exemplifies what family truly is. They have shared so much.

Apple, maybe there is a reason for finding Jaimey's story here. This must be an extremely difficult time for you - thoughts are with you as well.

Vixen said...

......how touching but incredibly sad. My heart goes out to them.

Anonymous said...

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blessings
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g-man said...

Touching. I can only imagine the range of emotions.

Moosekahl said...

An amazing tribute...what a blessing to have those extra moments when one wouldn't now what they could expect. Thanks for sharing...