Liam's Eulogy

My dearest baby Liam...

Oh, my little man.  I miss you with every beat of my broken heart; with every thought in my clouded mind.  My body yearns to hold you...to kiss your beautiful face, providing some form of comfort to you embark on your journey to heaven; forever leaving my arms to join Jesus for eternity.  To stand by; helpless to protect you,  powerless to help you; unable to simply be with you; is truly an excruciating,  unspeakable injustice.  Mommas protect their babies, and I could not protect you....

My baby Liam....

Although I know you now walk with God- I cannot help but to implore him, beg of him to provide us with some sort of answers...How could this God take our beautiful boy away from us?  God has him for eternity...we had 11 short days...the injustice is almost too much to bear. 

As parents, Chris and I have been robbed...Never will we experience the joy of watching Liam grow up;  never will we experience the pride of guiding him through his troubles, wiping away his tears, and reveling in his successes. 

Never will I be able to peer thru the back windows and watch Liam play catch with his dad;  or see him off to play golf with his brothers and uncles.

 Most distressing of all is knowing that we will never experience the fulfillment of guiding Liam  and discovering the man he would have become.  We will never have the unbridled thrill of partaking in his  life's journey...guiding him thru his fears, easing his heartaches, and providing the kind of parental guidance that will drive him crazy at age 17 (for example:  You will not die of embarrassment in the presence of your parents...Trust me- I'm living proof... to never, ever drink anything blue..it never ends well.  Marry the one person you can't imagine your life without. and never, ever doubt that we love you unconditionally.)   Although horribly embarrassing at the time, this parental advise will  prove invaluable when he grows into a man (Of course, he will subsequently realize that maybe we're not quite as crazy as he thought we were... And blue drinks really, really are a bad idea.  Blue drinks with umbrellas are even worse....)

Never will we have the opportunity to see our four children together, or delight in watching all four develop a friendship and relationship that can only be shared amongst siblings.  Of course this "friendship" will develop many years after  the 8 hour car trips to vacations each summer crammed into a minivan, and maybe after one older brother gave a younger one a swurlie or two...Point is, even after all the torture; there is nothing like the love of your siblings.

We have been robbed of watching our little man take the chances that will aid him in  discovering the path for his own uncharted journey through this world.  We will never have the opportunity to share  in his joy,  smugly remind him that we told him blue drinks are a bad idea, will not be able to celebrate his successes, hold him thru heartaches; watch him marry the love of his life; and never hold his child.

Now my baby Liam- In my heart of hearts I know that although you are no longer with us in this physical world; your short life has touched so many, and looking around this room; it is evident that all here with us today are struggling with an overwhelming sense of despair, anguish, and agony.  So many love you; proof that your short eleven days on this earth has changed the lives of those here to celebrate the instant impact your spirit has made on so many.

 I know a thousand words cannot bring you back- I know because I tried.  And neither can a million tears...I know because I cried.

I will always remember my Liam as the tiny, perfect miracle who chose Chris and I to be his parents.  I thank God we had the privilege of knowing this beautiful angel, and give praise I was able to experience Liam, Graeme, and Timothy gaining life thru my womb.

Our baby Liam will always remain as such in our hearts.  It has been said that the greatest injustice in the world is for parents to bury their baby....There are no words, no actions, no magic, and no prayer that can bring him back to Chris  and I.  It is only now that I can begin to find peace in knowing that Liam is with us still...His spirit too innocent, his love too pure.

 Liam is with the angels on high....  His spirit  is now with you all- in the recesses of your hearts, in the prayers we offer; and in the soul of anyone in need of comfort and strength.

 Our baby boy has become a guardian angel for our babies Timothy, Graeme and  his big sister Madelynn.  He is undoubtedly seeking to provide comfort and strength to those here on earth; and bringing tremendous happiness to those who have greeted Liam in heaven.   

To Lynn Bylow; Fred Bylow; Frank and Marjorie Campbell; Juanita Campbell,  and Margaret and James Friel are surely marveling over our beautiful baby boy. 

For the other babies who too left this earth too soon; Christopher Campbell and Megan Thomas; it provides so much comfort to know that my baby is not alone and are united in heaven together until we are all reunited again.  Christopher, Megan and Liam are undoubtedly happy to have each other and possibly now can lobby for a TV channel change; as there is truly only so much muted golf that one person can handle.

May God bless Liam, may God bless you all; and may God bless this family as we struggle to make some sort sense of this overwhelming despair, tragedy and loss. 

My dearest Liam Matthew Bylow....I am so honored to be your momma....although 11 short days will never be enough time; I will carry you in my heart, in every step I take, every thought i hold, and every ounce of my being for the rest of my life.

Godspeed Little Man.

I love you.