Mothers remarks

A Tribute to John: Nancy's Remarks
(Delivered by Diana Forsberg, Family friend)

About eight hours. It isn’t much time but it was a lifetime. We knew John’s life on this earth would be short. We had hoped for more than just hours yet we are grateful for every minute we had with him. We are amazed at how much love could be given and felt in just eight hours.

Last summer when we learned of John’s condition and its consequences, we were deeply saddened. We were given the option to terminate the pregnancy or continue to carry the baby and accept the challenges. As we were driving home and I was reading of the many possible physical problems this baby might have, I was overwhelmed by the thought that this spirit needed to be clothed in a physical body and step, if only fleetingly, through mortality. With that knowledge and Joe’s great faith there was no other decision to be made than to accept the challenges, carry this child and help this precious soul come to earth. As I reflect on that decision now, I cannot help but feel grateful for that knowledge and the decision Joe and I made that day. Eight hours of holding, loving and adoring our baby has enriched our lives in ways I cannot begin to describe.

A few days before John’s birth, I was thinking how soon he would be here. In the Mormon faith we believe that God created our spirits and those spirits reside with Him before our earthly life.. I thought of John preparing to leave Our Heavenly Father’s presence and to join our family. I hoped he knew how much we were looking forward to having him. I hoped that he knew what a wonderful sister, Katie and brother, Colin, he would have - how much they wanted this little brother. They so much wanted to share the joys and wonders of childhood with him. Again, I knew our time together would be brief but I hoped that he would feel our great love for him every moment he was here.

When we first learned of John’s condition, we visited with Joe’s priest , Father O’Grady. During our discussion he talked to us of the cross we had been given to bear. He told us that as Christ was carrying the cross to Golgatha the burden at times seemed greater than he could bear, just like ours would. But there were those along the way who helped him, gave him water, assisted him in easing the burden. Father O’Grady told us that we would find this too. Our burden would be heavy but we would be blessed with friends and family who would offer and give help, provide strength and support and give us their love and comfort. I knew this would be true but I could never have imagined to what extent. We have received an outpouring of prayers, aid, and sustaining love. To all of you and more who couldn’t be here today, our family expresses our sincerest thanks.

As we say our goodbyes to our precious John, our sorrow is for the loss of the things that could and would have been. We will miss him yet we find great comfort in knowing that he has gone home to a loving, eternal Father. We are grateful that he passed peacefully from our arms to our Father. We know that his innocent and pure soul is home and we await the day we will be able to see and hold him again.

The Rosebud

On your journey to heaven,

Oh, littlest of angels,

We’ll forever give thanks,

You came first to our arms,

Where you lay in warm sweetness

For the briefest of moments,

Our name on your bracelet…

Baby boy of our own.

Not even the rosebud,

Nor the first crocus petal,

Could match the soft wonder

Of your small, flowering face…

Though you lingered, oh briefly,

Our torn hearts found comfort,

And your fair, infant presence

Gave our sorrow a grace.

Etched in our memories,

To hold and to treasure,

Are experiences we had not known;

These you gave, in your innocence,

To your mother and father, brother and sister,

And oh, little darling,

We are richer by far,

To have held you a moment,

Than to never to have held you

At all.

-Unknown

	The Arizona Moores