Our Loss...Heaven's Gain

Dear Justin,

Happy Birthday, my sweet little cousin! Today you are spending your Tenth Birthday with the King of Kings. August 19, 1999, you were born, yet that same day you were held in the arms of the One who made you. Your Daddy and Mommy waited a long time to have you... but you were well worth the wait! I was seven at the time and you were my first cousin on both sides of the family and I was SO excited to finally have someone to help me take all the spoiling! I remember that your Mommy was very sick before you were born, but she never complained, she was just so happy that you were coming! We planned and decorated and dreamed big dreams, while anxiously awaiting your arrival, but Jesus had even greater plans for you! I'll never forget sitting in that waiting room at the hospital with family and your Aunt Penny showed me a picture hanging on the wall... It was a picture of Jesus holding a baby, and she said that picture was like you were now, safe in the arms of Jesus. My mind goes back and I can still hear the crying and sense the deep sorrow that was present that day. I recall that it was raining when you were born, and it rained for most of that day. It seemed as though all of Heaven was crying with us... I had dreamed of holding you close, of whispering... I Love You, of touching your tiny face and brushing back your hair, I had dreamed of watching you grow and develop, but I never got to do any of those things. I never got to see you or hold you or say that I loved you. But, Justin, one of these days all the dreams I have had will become reality and I'll be able to do all of these things, when I see you in Heaven and then we'll be together... forever... at home! I have tried to imagine what you look like, those that seen you say that you looked like your Daddy, but you looked some like Mommy too. You were small, just one pound 11 ounces 11 and 1/2 inches long with tiny, tiny feet that I have seen the imprint of, but you left a HUGE impact on our lives and a HUGE hole in our hearts. Time helps, but it doesn't heal, often there are tears at the mention of your name, but keep waiting by the Eastern Gate, sweet Justin, cause' the pain has helped me to get a clearer vision of the city and I'll never take my eyes from it, I promise, I'll be home in the morning! Oh and Justin, I Love You!


Love Forever and Always,

Holly