Sweet Dylan

Mandy Shaw: 2:22 AM, July 28..Dylan passed away at 1:20 a.m.  We are heartbroken...

Early this morning, 1:20, our sweet Dylan went to heaven.  He is free from the tumor.  He is free from any pain or sadness.  It was not easy to let him go.  Our lives were blessed every single day because he was in them.  We will feel this void for the remainder of our livese here on the Earth.  I know, he will be here with us whenever possible.  I know that he will watch over his brothers, sisters, parents, and family.  I know it was hard for him to leave us.  His mission on the other side is only beginning.  We love him so much, and will anxiously look forward to the beautiful reunion I know awaits us.  Thank you, from our hearts and souls, for all your love, concern, & prayers.  

We will forever be Doin' it 4 Dylan!

The  Shaw Family

In March, Dylan was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  From that day forward, lives were changed and hearts were softened as Dylan found a place in their hearts.  Dylan had a special hold on my heart.  He was the epitome of selflessness and unconditional love.  He had a heart wiser than the 9 years that it guided his earthly journey.  In the few short months that marked his journey back to his Heavenly Father, he touched lives and gave service to others whose lives were being ravaged by cancer.  Mine was one of those lives and I am forever changed for my time with him.

Life is so fragile, so tender, and so sacred.  So is the love of a Father in Heaven who loves each of us individually and collectively.  I know that He was there in the quiet of the night as a young mother held her child as he passed from this life to the next.  He will be there to comfort her as her empty arms cause her heart to break.  He will be there in the quiet moments when timeless memories are shared and laughter returns to a young family longing to remember.  He will be there when the night feels too long and the promise of dawn too far to reach.  He will be there until the promise of eternity brings comfort and peace to longing hearts.

My heart aches for this young family however rejoices for sweet Dylan who needed only a brief moment of earthly experiences to secure his place with his Father in Heaven for eternity.  His example of service in the face of uncertainty and love in the face of death will forever change my heart.  

I have come to know that our Father in Heaven is in the quiet moments of our lives.  He keeps his promise when He says that He will never leave us comfortless.  He is there in the moments when our hearts are calm and He is there when our hearts are questioning and asking "why."  He is there for the first kiss on an infants head and for the last kiss...no matter how timely or untimely it may come.  As those who know and loved Dylan and the Shaw family shed anguished tears, He is there.

He is there with each of us as we experience those quiet moments when life has hands us a lesson we long to reject and run from.  I know that with all my heart.  He was there when my fears overwhelmed me, when my hope briefly dissapated into the darkness of the night, and when dawn eluded me for days at a time.  And He is here as my body heals, my heart opens, and life is renewed after a long, tenous winter.  Always....light follows the darkness, peace follows the storm, and after all is said and done..love remains.

Gratitude and love always....Cyndi