I’ve known
this little guy since he was 7. Little by stature, not by age. Little in size,
not in presence. He was part of our family, although not by blood -- by choice.
We’ve camped, carpooled,
trick-or-treated. He’s played
at our house. Come to our birthday and Christmas parties. Sat at my table. Had
after-school snacks. We’ve gone
to the library, gone to the pool, gone to the mall. Read books. Watched movies. Shared life.
Shared hearts.
Oh, don’t get me wrong. He could be a
naughty little elf. That hidden sneakiness that most didn’t see. That sly way of
undermining parental will. That sweet nature, and those big hugs, belying the
mischief he has most certainly just taken part in. Those big brown eyes and
wide grin making you question your perspective, your sanity, every disapproving
though you may have held.
But his heart, which once beat
for someone else, was broken and has grown more and more tired. His mind must
have been tormented, knowing what was inevitable, but not fully understanding
what that meant. His final months were trying on his spirit, his body, and his
family. His heart couldn’t fight
anymore and, today, ours are broken.
Rest peacefully, Dragonfly. We
love you always.
Johnathen Thomas
June 17, 1995 ~ October 22, 2015
