I`ll be gone for Christmas this year!

The months have past this year and Christmas must be the hardest of all. It's a time of celebration reflection and family closeness that we fail to express as much throughout the year. I feel everyday should be a celebration that God has been so gracious to give us time together. Losing a child anytime is difficult, I know that well. I am thankful we were able to celebrate Christmas with Wylie one last time last year. He was very ill and could not walk and barely could speak a word. He couldn't even make a Santa list that year. But I knew it had to be the best one yet. He was grateful for his Christmas cards and gifts that were sent from near and far. He knew love in his life and couldn't understand why he had to go. He lost all ability to enjoy things he loved but still enjoyed watching others especially his brother.  I remember Wylie when he was first diagnosed he wanted to make sure everyone had a special present from him. Wylie was always excited about Christmas. He was never disappointed as far as I know. His last Christmas Seth and I spend several hours in Santa's workshop (aka mom`s barn) making Wylie a special shelve so that he could reach all his toys and collections of the things he loved from his bed. His baseball cards, stuffed animals, and toys, fossils, hats, and photos which still sit there.  He was so worried about getting a present for Seth, he wanted it to be special he would say. Wylie spent a lot of time thinking about others and worrying about them. Without my knowledge he asked one of my friends to select and engrave a heart necklace for me from him. With is picture inside. He had great passion and empathy for those that had little. He learned that others also had great love and passion for him that Christmas. The greatest gift was a visit form an Atlanta family from Australia. He cried when they introduced themselves. He always wanted to go. Well this summer Wylie traveled with them to become part of the Great Barrier Reef. Some of his ashes were carried to Australia. Just before Christmas the friends and teachers from his school came and sang him carols.  He had several families that came to visit him for Christmas. We celebrated a second Christmas and New Years at Grandma's in Florida, which I knew he was too sick to go. However he knew what I didn`t that it would be his last and insisted on going to see his grandmother Aunt and Uncles. He slept most of the days and couldn't breath without a breathing machine forcing in air.  He spent his New Years meeting Winter the dolphin with friends. He watched as he admired there ability to move with such grace and peace. After a day at home watching movies Wylie died at home in his bed 12 days later on January 13th. Wylie's life was celebrated in the most loving way with our community students, family and friends. He was lifted up by a community basketball tournament in feb to start the Wylie Wish Scholarship fund and Wylie's dream fund. Two scholarships were given in his name in May.  He was remembered during the relay for life. A grade school garden was created , and a middle school tree planted in his honor in May. Our summer was filled with baseball and then football constantly on the run. How else could we have gotten through this year.
 I really didn`t want to be at home for Christmas this year. However my son Seth insisted Santa would not come anywhere but there. I have to make it special for Seth because Wylie would not have had it any other way. 
Love,Wylie's mom

"I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, but I will be gone for Christmas this year!" Love Wylie