Farewell to 20 years of Miracle

Gregory, Stacey and me atThanksgiving 2011

I have been cleaning our apartment all day today preparing for coming guests.  Mumzy and Dadzy are coming to Arizona. Normally, I'd be shooting myself up to the clouds in excitement. How I wish they are coming for a good reason. Their sudden visit here to Arizona  would be for a loved one's funeral.

It came as a shock to us because we were just with him that Sunday. The next day Monday, I recieved a text saying, Gregory just died.

Gregory is my husband's cousin. He had a birth disorder called Lissencephaly. Patients with this condition tend to have smoother brain and normally babies born with this disorder most likely live 2 to 3 years. Gregory who lived for 20 years is indeed a blessing.

I only met him quite a few times. Eventhough we did not exchange conversations, he did not give me gifts or send me cards or help me with a job, his life was a great blessing that touched my heart more than I thought he would. I would hold his hand for hello whenever we visit hoping he understood we were happy to see him. His frail weak hand pressed my mine as a sign that he welcomed me to the family.

His life blessed me with a reminder of John 9:3

Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

I believe Gregory was not being punished nor his parents. In fact His parents are wonderful people and great servants of the Lord.

Gregory's family showered him with so much love beyond I could understand. I witnessed how they talked so sweetly to him and I couldn't count how many hugs and kisses he received from his sisters each day. It is very hard for a mother to see her child in a difficult condition, yet, she did not see it as something to complain about. Rather, she used this as an opportunity to show how much strength and love she is capable of and praised God that he gave her at least 20 years to enjoy having a son.

His 20 years of life was not in vain. God's love manifested in Gregory's life and through his family.

I cannot believe last Sunday was the last day we enjoyed Gregory. We will be heading back to Phoenix again this week to see him and bade farewell. I believe he is now in a place where he could run, sing or play. It will be a sad event but having my mother and father in law to stay with us for a few days is something to look forward to.

Linking to:
 Time Travel Thursday
 Pinspirational Thursday 

Inspiration Friday