Tuesday, December 13, 2011

balloons.



Sunday afternoon, friends and family gathered at our church to honor the life of Noah Watchman Dean. We celebrated the hope we have in Christ and prayed for orphans worldwide. We released red balloons with prayers attached in Noah's memory. It was absolutely beautiful. 


We are so moved by the amount of support and love we have been shown. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For those who were unable to attend, here is some of the letter I read during the service:


Dear Noah, 

This has been the hardest week of my life. Losing you has caused indescribable grief in my heart. You never met me, but I have loved you from the moment I could call you mine. I still do. 



I remember the first night your pictures arrived. I was overwhelmed, humbled, and sure I wanted to be your father. I wasn't sure how I could care for your special needs, but I was certain I wanted to, and determined in my heart to do everything I possibly could, to love you well in this world -- just like my other sons. 

Facing the reality of your death has been heartbreaking. It still is. I miss you. I miss the memories we would have made, and in a better world, we should have made. In a perfect world, you would never have been abandoned. 
Forsaking you at birth would never happen. We do not live in a perfect world, but we are loved by a perfect Father who gave his son that those who believe, have LIFE in him. 



You are a precious, priceless person to me and I would have given everything I have to bring you home. Yet, this was not our Father's will. Instead, you would pass from this life to eternity... 


Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling (Psalm 68:5). We trust you are in the Father's arms. Whole. Healed. Happy. Forever. 

Your life was not in vain.
Many people will see Jesus because of you.
They will hear about what you already know as reality.
They will believe in faith, what you now see as forever with God.

There are millions of precious people in the world, just like you. 

147 millions orphans worldwide. 
This is not right. 
Not acceptable.


The pain of losing you put us on our knees, put tears in our eyes, and opened our hands and hearts all the more to the God we know, trust, and love.


After praying about this and trying to reconcile losing you, your mom and I believe the best way to honor your life... to continue placing honor and worth on your life... is to welcome another child in your memory and in the name of Jesus. 


So we are doing that...* 


If there are trampolines in heaven, be prepared.You have three brothers that will tackle and hug you as soon as they see you. They love to wrestle. I do too.


Love, 
Dad


* We have started the paperwork on a special little girl. More on her story when the time is appropriate and things are final. Anna Grace will have a sister! We can't wait to meet them both!!!!!!!!! 

5 comments:

McClure ELA 8 said...

I've been so glad to be able to pray for you guys. I have moved beyond words reading and hearing about your loss. I am so excited for you to all be united with Noah one day!

Kim said...

continuing to pray for you all.
what a beautiful letter and tribute to noah.
so excited to hear about anna grace's sister.
love & blessings,
kim

Kam said...

My name is Kam and I'm a friend of Rebecca Radicchi. She messaged me last week about your Noah. I'm so so sorry. We lost our son, Seth, in China last month. He had five heart defects. We are so broken but finding God to be most faithful in these hard days.

I have been praying for you and will continue to do so. My husband is a youth/education pastor. Our church has been wonderful...I'm sure you are experiencing the same.

I loved your tribute to Noah and the countless others who continue to wait. We will pray for you as you travel to China for your girls. May Jesus be glorified in our suffering and may the biggest spotlight we can muster shine only onto Him as we walk through this grief.

In His love and ours...and for His fame alone~
Kam

About said...

You guys have been on our hearts here alot lately, can't get you guys off my mind, been praying for you during this time of excitement and grief. We love you guys and can't wait to meet the new additions to the family.

Donna said...

Sorry to hear about your son. I too lost a little one in China before we could travel for her. Congratulations on your new little one, as I know just how bittersweet it was to hold another referral in my hand after our loss.

God's peace to you and your family.