Our youngest grandchild (Maryjo’s son’s son), Harry Gavin, 7-months-old, feel asleep and never woke up. Below is his obituary; followed by a poem I wrote for our family and loved ones.<\/p>\n
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Harold Patrick Gavin, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Thursday, March 23, 2023. He was born at Toledo Hospital on August 11, 2022, to his adoring parents, Melissa May (Malinowski) Gavin and John Connor Gavin. From the beginning, Harry was larger than life, weighing an astounding 11 lbs 14 oz at birth. He was a happy baby who loved being with his family. He especially loved his older brother, Jack. They were best friends and shared a bedroom Harry’s entire life. They would stay up far past their bedtime, long into the night, laughing at only God knows what. Harry’s laughter and smile were infectious.<\/p>\n
Other activities Harry enjoyed were family dinners, family walks in the park, playing with his two dogs, Foster, and Joey, bouncing in his bouncy chair, and dancing to Danny Go songs. He loved going to day care and spending time with the other children there.\u00a0\u00a0In addition, Harry loved spending time with his extended family, especially his cousins. He attended family vacations to Edisto Island, South Carolina, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.<\/p>\n
Though Harry’s life was brief, his impact on others was immeasurable. His family is devastated at the loss of their little boy. At the same time, they are so grateful to God that they were blessed with Harry’s presence for the time they had. Despite their heartbreak, his family would not trade this experience for anything.<\/p>\n
Harry is preceded in death by several great grandparents, and his grandfathers; John Christopher Gavin and Kenneth Harry Malinowski.\u00a0 Harry is survived by his mother and father, Connor and Melissa, his older brother, Jack; his grandparents; Terry and Jenniffer Drinkwater, Dan Rutt and Maryjo Gavin; his aunt, Kristie and uncle Carl; his uncle Josh, his aunt Kara and uncle Joe; his cousins, Graham, Richie, Lulu, and Iggy, and countless other extended family.<\/p>\n
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I wrote this poem within 48 hours of Harry’s death.\u00a0 In such times, words flail us.<\/p>\n
Death Unexplained<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Those many moments strung out<\/span> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Our youngest grandchild (Maryjo’s son’s son), Harry Gavin, 7-months-old, feel asleep and never woke up. Below is his obituary; followed by a poem I wrote for our family and loved ones. Harold Patrick Gavin, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep … Continue reading
\nThe only thing worse than death unexplained<\/span>
\nIs death explained<\/span>
\nUnending<\/span>
\nTears<\/span>
\nIn a heart RIP\u2019ed<\/span>
\nCaught in the wake<\/span>
\nOf eternal sleep<\/span>
\nHelled in the vacuum<\/span>
\nOf death sucking<\/span>
\nAnd everything ails<\/span>
\nEach mourning<\/span>
\nTaking one step<\/span>
\nThen another<\/span>
\nAnd another<\/span>
\nThen returning<\/span>
\nTo that first step<\/span>
\nA grave dance<\/span>
\nIn an after ours club<\/span>
\nA missed<\/span>
\nThe dead of the night<\/span>
\nNoon daze<\/span>
\nAbsent the warmth of a son<\/span>
\nAfter words<\/span>
\nAwe that has poured out of us<\/span>
\nWhat can a broken heart hold for us?<\/span>
\nWhat is it that death cannot touch?<\/span>
\nSacred plays<\/span>
\nWear life is knit together<\/span>
\nBefore we were borne<\/span>
\nOr wherever we go<\/span>
\nAfter that role of the die<\/span>
\nIn the echo of hollowed preyer<\/span>
\nWhere God is riddled<\/span>
\nAnd a lot of life is runed<\/span>
\nAnd sow much is knot<\/span>
\nVoidable<\/span>
\nTo ax the quest in<\/span>
\nA bout God\u2019s J\u014db<\/span>
\nAnd what is there too due<\/span>
\nWith life a loan<\/span>
\nLife lived with abandon<\/span>
\nWould God rejoin<\/span>
\nJust us<\/span>
\nAnd not<\/span>
\nAnother crux<\/span>
\nThe weigh of death and life<\/span>
\nAnd all that it would take<\/span>
\nTo leave the wrest<\/span>
\nHow<\/span>
\nEver<\/span>
\nFor all one no\u2019s<\/span>
\nGod gently counters<\/span>
\nWith that which is wholly<\/span>
\nSurrounded by loved wons<\/span>
\nSerendipitously moving<\/span>
\nStill, we here<\/span>
\nThat bell<\/span>
\nWhich only unimaginably could be<\/span>
\nUnwrung<\/span>
\nUntolled<\/span>
\nAs an angel getting his wings<\/span><\/p>\n