Henryk died yesterday afternoon at 2:54pm, Sunday, January 6, 2013. He was 5 months and 10 days old. It was very peaceful, almost ordinary. After a day full of perfectly-timed good-byes he just breathed and then didn’t breathe again. He looked so beautiful, his skin like porcelain.
We gave him a bath, took out his PICC line, snuggled and cried a lot, and got Lily up from her rest time to tell her. Then at 7:30 the funeral home came. Michael carried our little boy’s little body out to the car and they took him away.
Death wouldn’t be so hard if it didn’t mean going away. His sweet presence is gone leaving memories that are all encompassing. Our empty arms are full of pain, though there is real peace believing that his presence is in heaven.
Please pray for Lily. She is so confused. Her third birthday is this Saturday.
We had been praying for you all, and will continue to do so during this time. Our hearts are grieving with you….will be praying for God’s nearness for you.
Dear Thiels-
We are so sorry for your loss and yet so blessed by your words of faith throughout the trial and during Henryk’s short life. We too lost a child at just about the same age and can relate very personally to your grief. We too experienced that tearing of our hearts as we bathed our little girl and had to pass her off to another for the funeral. “Gone away” is a very good descriptor and there is such an emptiness that only the Lord can fill. Please feel free to call or write at any time as your family walks this valley. We are good friends of Steve and Linda and attend CMC in Vermont. They can give you our contact info.
“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27.
Stuart and Kim Pratt
We are so sorry for your loss. We have been praying for you all, and will continue to do so. Our hearts are grieving with you…praying that you would feel God’s nearness during this time.
Dear friends, Brie and I are so thankful for you two. Your complete love for Henryk in life has been a beautiful picture of Jesus’ love for his broken people. Henryk has entered into the everlasting joy of his God and King, perfect and glorified beyond what we can fathom. It truly is far better to depart and be with Christ, as Paul said, but our hearts break with yours with him gone. We’ll be praying for all three of you. Please let us know if you need anything at all.
Jim and Brie
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I know Henryk was comforted by your love for him. Thank you for sharing your family’s difficult, but loving time with Henryk. Our prayers and sympathies are with you. Bob Hanlon
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Having just heard about Henryk and your family via a very emotional announcement at Acuity, I sit here and shed tears and say a prayer for your family.
Thank you for your faithful and tender sheparding of Henryk these past 5 months–and for sharing your journey of faith with us. I am a friend of Steve and Linda’s— and have been incredibly ministered to by your steadfast resolve in the Lord’s goodness. May the words of this song by Ginny Owens be a source of comfort to you during this difficult time:
Be still, my soul,
The Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to your God, to order and provide.
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul,
Your best your heavenly friend,
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul,
Your God will undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence
let nothing shake.
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul,
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
while he lived below.
Be still, my soul,
Be still, my soul,
Be still.
Love, Samantha Gold
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss! I can not imagine the pain! Know he is with someone who will watch over him peacefully!
Always,
Leah (Moehring)Rose
I am so sorry for your loss. My husband and I are friends of Steve and Linda. We are praying for you during your time of grief.
Jim and Angela Moody
My prayers and thoughts are with your family as you walk through this difficult time. I was blessed by reading your journey and getting to know sweet Henryk through your blog. He is a truly special little boy, and I will be praying for your family as you walk through this together and for little Lily.