The Funeral

Hello everyone-

Today was the day that my wife and I buried our son. Now while it sounds like something that has a finality or something very dreaded - it was a glorious day. Not only did our son give us fabulous weather, he also earned his wings - well maybe we finally believed he earned his wings. We had a great service at our church - All Saint Episcopal, Chemlsford, MA. My wife and I planned the order of service - we made sure that the music was appropriate, that the readings reflected the meaning we placed with our son and ourselves, as well as having a full Eurcarist with the service.

Friends and Family came from as far away as Oregon, Kansas, New York, Pennslyvania, Maryland, Florida, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The church was full - not over flowing but very full. It was a glorious outpouring of love for our family and our son. The church pulled out all of the stops - the handbell chior, the junior chior, the adult chior. Barbara Willman quilted the paw which did not exist a week ago. In the forty years at the church - or at least this parishinor told me that we where the only third baby which had died.

Ryan our son was stillborn 11 days ago. While the impact of this has not yet been fully relized - I relize that the time to grieve is still here and will be for many more months.

Okay so another part of today - the burial. While it may seem like something that is done by the staff - we believe that the burial should be done by the family. It is a glorious tradition. It brings a finality to the event and starts the healing. I would encourage everyone to do this with their family. Current society kinda leave the coffin hanging in the air - waiting for the staff to burry the coffin. Why? Years ago the family would dig the grave, place the coffin, and burry the coffin. Burry your coffins - make it a time to tell stories about the person or give some time to reflect on what is happening.

Finally to all that have sent letter and cards of condolences - Thank you. It means so much to hear from everyone.

Well having some fun....

Reflections

The funeral mass is planned - and the order of service is done.

The flowers are ordered.

The cemetary is set.

Ryan I miss you.

Ryan I love you.

Daddy

Guess the Dictator or Sit-Com Character

Previous posts you may have noticed that my wife and I are dealing with some serious emotional stuff - everyone needs a distraction. Go play "Guess the Dictator and/or Television Sit-Com Character". It is mind numbing fun that can last for a few minutes or hours. The program is also "self learning". If you think of a new path to get to your person then you can enter the question.

Guess the Dictator or Sit-Com Character

Still not having fun...

Arrangements for Ryan Daniel

Hello everyone-

Since the last post a bunch of things have started to happen. We have purchased a cemetery plot for our son Ryan and ourselves - wow 33 years old and knowing where you are going to be layed to rest.....not something I really wanted to have to think about. Westlawn Cemetary in our town will be the final resting place for our son. It is a nice plot. No plot in front of us at all. A new england stone wall is behind the plot. Which means no one will be walking all over Ryan's resting place. We also got the cemetary 1 mile as the crow flies away from the house. I guess that is as close as I will have my son to me.

Our son Ryan arrived in the same town as we live the a couple of days ago (Friday I think). The days are running together. But I think that is because I have not worn a watch for some time.....

Today we also figured out that the funeral will be on Saturday May 28th at 10:00AM. Aline and I are starting to work in the order of service. This will be great therapy for us - but difficult.

Yesterday we went out for our first trip. Wow is society cold - and that is not meant to be mean - what I meant is that we have had so many great people who have been in touch with us to surround us with warmth and love that the general public has no clue. Nor do we want people to know by annoucing it at the top of our lungs everywhere we go.

My wife and I have been reading a book called Empty Arms. It is helping. We are also going to figure out some sorta group to visit and talk with.

Monday is going to be a challenege - we think. I am going back to work, and Aline will be with friends. The first time we are more than an arm length apart since Ryan's death.

So more looking at pictures, more smells.

Miss you Ryan - my son.

Still not having much fun...

A Baby is born...

Hi everyone-

Ryan Daniel Davis was born as a stillborn to my wife and I on Tuesday May 17, 2005 at 5:07pm. He weighed 7lbs, 9.2oz, measured 20 inches long. Everything about Ryan is absolutely perfect in every way with one exception - he never took a breath. We spent 6 hours with our son - finding out that he has my wife's nose and chin, my lips, my dark hair - brown with a hint of red, my hands - long fingers and lines that were exactly the same, my wife's feet - long second toe and all.

Ryan was baptised by Father Norman of St. Mark's Church that night. And now Ryan is with God. Brittiany will watch over Ryan, he will play with Ben and Christopher, Granddaddy Sangrey will teach him bocci, Grandfather Davis will make sure his hair is trimmed, Grandmother and Grandfather Austin will make sure he knows how to fish and cook the meal. We are at peace knowing that Ryan is now with God.

But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.’

Luke 16:18

We have our pictures of Ryan, we have a blanket that smells like a baby boy. We have a bear which we named King to help us remember to hug and hold our baby.

I must say one more thing - I am so proud of my wife! She was in labor for 12 hours and laboring (pushing) for 3 hours. She was simply awesome. And I love her so much - words can not even begin to explain.

And now we need to plan a funeral. We know that he will be buried in town so Ryan will be close to us - within walking distance. We know that the funeral will be on the 28th of May.

Not Having fun at all....

Aurora - due to a G5 solar flare

An amazing event happened over the weekend....A huge solar flare on friday:



Caused great Auroras to happen. Check out this image from South Dakota taken by Alan Sewell:



I think that picture is awesome. Seen as far south as Laurel, MD

have fun....

BlendTrans -- IE Only

Well I am trying something out on the blog using an IE Only BlendTrans. A little more investigation shows an cross browser option using JavaScript. Not implemented yet but it should be more powerful to show off pictures (future baby pictures).

I think it is pretty cool.

Have fun...