Jacob went home to be with the Lord, Friday 4/10/09 @ about 2:35pm. We got a call from his nurse, just before we would have eaten lunch, saying that he was deteriorating fast. So, we rushed back to the hospital and were able to get there in time to hold him while he passed on to Heaven. We both got to hold him before he passed on. In fact, we are pretty certain that I was the one holding him when he took his last breath in this world. We got to hear him cry a couple of times, too. We believe that God knew we could never have made the decision to remove him from treatments and the respirator. So, He made the decision for us, by allowing Jacob's decline to the point that it was obvious that he would not be able to recover. As soon as they started removing the tubes and lines so that we could hold him, we felt an immediate peace settle over us. It's extremely painful to lose him, but at the same time, we know that he is no longer suffering and is in a much better place. Not only was Jesus waiting for him, but also his grandfather and great grandparents, aunts and uncles and even some cousins, including one who passed on as a baby.

Please remember Jacob with joy for the time that we were able to have him with us. One of our favorite quotes at a time like this comes from "Little House on the Prairie." I can even imagine little Jacob sitting up above and saying this, "Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I'll remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all."

We are back home. I will be back at work on Wednesday.

His Peace to You All,
Terry & Susan