Today marks 6 month since my beautiful first born became Gods beautiful Butterfly !! I miss you so much! I am posting this beautiful remembrance that my brother n law wrote about Gabrielle and read at the funeral. A tribute to my precious little niece, Gabrielle…Heaven’s Butterfly. Gabrielle Elizabeth VanHorn was Born June 4, 2000 at 2:24 a.m., in the early, early morning, at Blodgett hospital. Right from the beginning she proved that she was not one to do things conveniently or easily and that she would only do things her way. That, by the way, has proven to be one of her most endearing attributes and constant calling card. It doesn’t look good on most people - but she was able to pull it off without a problem. What do you say about a little girl who never said anything? What words do you use? What sentence do you string together to describe the indescribable impact she had on so many? At the funeral home I was humbled as I watched 6 hours of people pouring in and patiently waiting to pay their respects and tell a tiny bit of their story of how they were impacted by Gabrielle. What words do you use? How do you articulate the priceless realization that this little one created a legacy and made a forever difference? What words do you use? Precious Gabrielle Elizabeth VanHorn, through all of her 13 years, 9 months, 2 weeks, 6 days, 16 hours and 49 minutes never spoke up, never verbalized her feelings or gave breath to articulate words, words that even now prove to fail me as I search for them. No, she never said a word...But her life said so much! She was able to instigate selfless and sacrificial love which this world is in desperate need of experiencing and to which our Great God calls each of us to. The Gospel is constantly on display where that love shines. And she gave cause for the expression of that love to shine brightly, like a beacon of hope, drawing all who would witness it. She was able to wrap a great big grown man, my brother, around her tiny little finger from day one and hold him there absolutely defenseless. He never knew what hit him but he sure knew and loved who held him there. She was able to bring out the very best attributes of motherhood and fatherhood from her parents. My brother, Joseff and his dear wife Liz, were joyfully together celebrating her birth and they were bravely and lovingly together with Gabrielle as she left this world behind and entered in to the very Presence of her Creator. She was able to force them to dig deeper, work harder, advocate louder and love better than theyd ever have done without her. And in turn affect the many of us who have been inspired to parent better and to show more love, grace, patience and serve our own children with thankfulness after witnessing Joseff and Liz easily and effortlessly love their sweet Gabrielle. She made them wonderful parents and inspiring people to be near and to know. She was able to repeat that move over and over and over again with the rest of us, one after the other. With her precious little sister, Olivia, whose sensitivity and closeness at times gave gabby a voice - advocating for her choices and desires. And her little energetic brother, Josef, who admires, looks up to and who is indelibly marked by the love he has for his biggest sister. With her grandparents, Julia, Joe and Betty and Nancy, who Im inclined to call mom. Each of their lives were purposefully and intimately woven into hers and at her side they constantly received more love than they gave. With her aunts and uncles and cousins - she taught them all to be sensitive and kind, thoughtful and available. She taught them to pray constantly and tirelessly for others. With the rest, extended family, best friends like Erin, hope filled friends like Kyle and loads of other special friends, teachers, helpers, doctors, nurses and bus drivers - she left her mark of attractive affection. Effecting each one in ways that we will witness as they continue to care for others, find hope, press on, climb their own mountain, dig deep, work diligently, serve selflessly, smile easily and love courageously. She was able to inspire a movement to look out for and pay attention to everyone around us. She was able to point to the value of life and the importance of every person. She was able to knit together a community who rallied around her, whose daily, weekly or monthly schedule and routine gladly included a little part of Gabrielle. She was able to baffle doctors, nurses, professionals and their opinions, best guesses and dire predictions...to bring them to a confession...We cant really say...after all its up to God and Gabrielle once again… And together, God and Gabrielle, were able to inspire hope and help others experience Gods Presence in their own circumstance. She was able to cause those who dont pray enough, to talk to God, if only for her at first. She was able to do much more with her life, more than she could ever have done had she only used words. She has positively changed the world around her and made a forever difference in the lives of so many. The ripple effect of her life travels far. To me she is like the stars in the sky - constantly and silently pointing us all toward God. The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. (Psalms 19:1-4a NLT) May we who have been impacted by Gabrielles life never hide behind the words were able to use to keep us from doing the deeds we ought to do. May we display sacrificial and selfless love, value for everyone and may it be seen way before our words are ever heard. According to Gabrielle words may very well not be needed after all. Now unto Jesus Christ who perfectly spoke Gods Great Love with His very Life, I commit our precious little butterfly. In His Presence, though we have never heard her speak, I am confident that He is listening to her sing worship unto Him. Please continue in prayer for Joseff and Liz, pray also for Gabrielle’s little sister, Olivia (8 1/2) and her little brother Josef (5 1/2) - they love their sister a ton and will miss her in their lives. Thank you for traveling this road with our entire family in the way that God has asked you to travel with us.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 21:33:55 +0000
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