jacalyn alizabeth hayes crooks

sweet baby Jacalyn. 
your tiny little life 
mattered. 
we honor your 
brief time here on earth 
with the mark of 
sadness and joy 
all wrapped in one. 
you were formed 
in your mother's womb 
with all your little 
tiny parts
tiny fingers 
and baby 
pea sized toes
you stayed warm and safe 
inside her 
what a gift you were able to 
grow and hold on to life 
inside the womb. 
i know you came out a little earlier
than any of us expected..
i like to think  
it was so mom and dad 
would get a chance to hold you 
to touch those tiny fingers 
and tickle those tiny pea drop toes 
to smell your soft pink skin 
to continue to love you 
so deeply 
as they had since they 
first knew of your 
existence.
if anything they loved you 
more.  
your entire life
you were loved 
you were prayed over 
you were thought of 
you mattered 
your life was of the 
greatest value 
please know this
so many would have loved to 
meet you but 
we will have to wait.
your life and tiny body was made 
in the secret place
formed by the Creator 
who sews and weaves with 
excellence and 
with reverence for 
each of His creations. 
you were so loved.
[and still are] 
that cannot be said enough. 
this tiny life of yours, 
yes, short, 
like your toes, 
like the length of your 
nose, 
but it mattered. 
you are celebrated. 
we praise our Father, 
your Father 
who receives you 
in His gentle arms. 
we watch with a 
pure jealousy 
that you get to 
enter His glorious presence 
and He will slip 
his finger 
in your grip. 
we celebrate you. 
we mourn the goodbye
with downcast hearts. 
we surround your mom, dad and 
big brother with 
love and we hold them up 
as their hearts are broken a
nd yet 
wholly filled with the gift 
the Spirit. 
their testimony of 
the goodness of God 
in the suffering 
shines 
like the noonday sun. 

you mattered. 
you matter. 
your life mattered. 

rest in His glory little one. 
rest. 

october 2016-november 2016