7.15.2009

Fly, Avery, Fly

We find such comfort in all your comments, prayers, and words of encouragement. Right now we are sitting in the coffee shop down the street trying to take things slowly. There is no rush. We have friends and family flooding to our rescue and for that we are grateful. I will continue to pass along information as it comes. We love you all from the bottom of our hearts!

We love our girl and are so proud of all she accomplished. She will forever be our Avery Mae and we look forward to celebrating her nine weeks of life!

Carissa

54 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. There is so much love and joy in Avery's life. She made more of an impact in just nine weeks that many do in an entire life time. People literally across the world prayed for Avery and your family - and will continue to pray. You can be so proud to be Avery's parents.

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  3. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    The strength you both have is amazing to me!!
    Thanks for letting us all join you in this amazing journey.

    God Bless
    DeLynn

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  4. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    I love you so much! I am so proud of you and your strength. Now you can celebrate your angel without having to worry about her pain.
    Rachael <3

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  5. Still praying for your family and Avery. She was such a little fighter. God Bless!

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  6. At least she is at peace. You are all in my heart.

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  7. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    My heart aches for your family but I know that Avery is in the most sacred place right now. She will always be your guardian angel protecting your everyday and loving you more with each. You have had such an amazing impact on everyone around you and Avery will always remain part of our hearts, and your family a part of our prayers. Love and sentiments to you all.

    Love, Dustin and Lindsey Thompson

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  8. Your strength is absolutely amazing. Avery is so blessed to have such amazing parents! God bless you all!

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  9. I learned of you 4 from Eliot's blog back in May and have followed since around her birthday. You've touched me to the core, and I commend you on your decision as well as the strength to endure all that you have. I'm glad to hear you are relaxing (however you can) right now and just taking it all in. Avery is spending her first day in perfect peace on God's lap, watching you and smiling/laughing for you and all you've done. I pray for your peace of mind and heart.

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  10. Avery Mae, precious beautiful Avery Mae, touched my life and will forever be remembered for her strength. She will forever be your little girl and your angel by your side, until you meet again. Many prayers for you and your family as you navigate through the days ahead.

    Much love to your family, Tracy

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  11. Dear Avery, now you're playing with no tobes and waiting for your family to meet you again in Heaven. You touched my life sweet baby girl.

    Many, many prayers.
    Fer

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  12. Alejandro Salas (Tamaulipas, México)July 15, 2009

    Shane and Carissa:
    God worked with you in a very special. now enjoying the new life that awaits them. Avery will be waiting for you with Jesus. I learned a lot from you.

    God Bless

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  13. Avery's life, though too short for us, was amazing. I love you guys.

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  14. I know how difficult the decision to let them go first hand. My toughts and prayers are with you all and know that you will forever be a part of the CDH family. I hope it will bring you peace to know that Avery is playing with Kaden and Max and Addison, and all the other little ones that have been taken by this horrible defect. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need to talk.

    Many prayers for all of you...

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  15. I am so very sorry for your loss. I am heartbroken for you.
    You will continue to be in my prayers.

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  16. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    Our prayers continue to be with each of you. May you feel God's love and strength moment by moment.

    With Love,
    The Pavans

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  17. Avery Mae has touched my heart for her strength and courage. May she be in peace as will be forever in our hearts! My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Avery will now watch over you from the heavens! God bless all of you.
    Joanna

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  18. Shane & Carissa,
    I've been amazed throughout this journey of your strength and faith. It is clear to me where Miss Avery Mae got her amazing qualities. I'm so honored and grateful to have been able to be a part of the prayer circle for your family. Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us and know how much we have all come to love your baby girl. I admire both of you and the choices you have made. We will continue to remember all of your family and look forward to joining you in your celebration of these past nine weeks!

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  19. Mommy_of_YaDaJuly 15, 2009

    Avery, you will be missed sweet little soilder. There are a lot of people that fell in love with you and your family. Our prayers will continue. My hurt aches, but I know you must be enjoying paradise. Fly sweetie!

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  20. Goodbye, Avery. My heart is sad at knowing you're gone, but I'm glad you are not hurting any longer.

    Continued prayers for you, Carissa, Shane & Kaitlyn, as you adjust to a life without your baby girl/sister. I am so, so sad for your loss.

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  21. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    Dearest Avery... You are such a sweet little thing. You are now in a perfect world...no more pain..no more tubes...no more meds. You've touched my heart and I will forever missing you.
    Dearest Shane, Carissa, and Kaitlyn... You guys are truely amazing people. Thank you thank you for sharing your most personal journey. Looking forward to celebrate Avery's nine weeks.
    Dai

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  22. I love you guys so much. Can't wait to celebrate Avery's life with you.

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  23. Beautiful post title. Continuing to pray for you all.

    Love,
    Annemarie

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  24. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. All the comments posted on your blog, all the posts for prayers all over the internet by so many people... if miracles were answered by the amount of love and prayers surely your would've been. Such a very loved little girl. Her footprints in these few weeks have forever been imprinted on so many. If you need to talk, I'm here.

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  25. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    What an awesome sweet baby. I cannot express how amazing all of you are. You all have been through so much, it's time for peace. Peace in knowing that Avery is free and in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Peace in knowing that there is no more bad news to anticipate. I am praying for you guys, I hope you find peace in knowing that she is free.
    All of my love-
    Shannon Ramer

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  26. I've been following your story and praying for your family for several months. Your little Avery Mae holds a special place in my heart, although we don't even know each other. I know our stories are very different, but we can relate to losing a baby girl. We lost our Ava Marie back in January. She was due on May 10, so I've felt a connection with you because our girls would have been so close in age. Our sweet Ava had liver problems and she's been with Jesus for six months. It has been a hard road, but God is so faithful. He will bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, just like his Word promises (Psalm 147:3). I think Ava and Avery will be sweet friends in heaven- and someday they will get to show us around. Praying for you as you grieve your loss. May God's unexplainable peace completely surround you.

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  27. My heart is SO heavy for you and I don't even know you. I have just followed along on Heidi's website and I feel your pain. I kind of feel your loss because I have lost a child also. We also had to decide that enough was enough and that we needed to let our girl go. The more you study about heaven we should be willing to let them go, but we just don't understand. It is okay to cry out, get mad, yell, etc, but don't take your eyes off of the Lord. HE UNDERSTANDS. We both want to know "WHY", but must believe it was God's will. I like to think that God thought our girls SO SPECIAL that HE just had to have them there with Him. Find good Christian friends that understand your hurt and will encouage you to be the best you can be in Christ.

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  28. I have been praying for you and your sweet baby girl for weeks!! I pray for God's incredible strength and peace to surround you! My heart aches for you in this time of grief yet the picture of your sweet baby girl in perfection in the arms of our Heavenly Father is absolutely beautiful!! You have expressed the most incredible gift of unconditional love possible!!! Blessings to your entire family!

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  29. Your story has touched my heart as it has so many others. I am praying for your family during this most difficult time. Take comfort in knowing that she is in a much better place now.

    Shannon,Dawna,Kaylee,and,Macee Jones

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  30. Clinging to our hope of resurrection and new life and the babies that wait for us. Celebrating the life and resurrection of Avery...and mourning your loss and sorrow and asking God to let His church continue to lift you all and carry the cross with you. And I pray you never feel forgotten..and that you will see Avery's purpose in her life and death over and over and over again..as a reminder of God's mercy and perfection.

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  31. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    Goodbye, sweet little Avery Mae - such a special angel that has touched the hearts of so many people. We will always remember you. A friend of mine who was praying for you all told me about a song entitled "Jesus has a rocking chair". I truly believe that. We will continue to pray for each of you asking the Lord to bless you all with courage, comfort, healing and His most holy peace.

    God Bless,
    Robin Gaspard Cosenza

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  32. Prayers for a comfort and peace that you cannot begin to comprehend right now. God will take care of you and his new Angel will fly high in his Heaven!
    The Waltons

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  33. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    The world was truly blessed to have miss Avery even if it was for such a short time. Beautiful baby girl to perfect for this world. You all are in my thoughts and prayers I hope you find peace and comfort in the days to come.

    God bless all of you
    Mother of a CDH angel

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  34. I'm so sad to read about the loss of your beautiful baby girl. My husband and I had to make a similar decision not to continue life support for our babies, and it was the hardest and yet most peaceful decision of our lives. We felt that we had to try to do what was the best for them, even though it was the hardest for us to face. I'm praying that God helps you through the difficult times ahead and that you are comforted in the memory of the beautiful life that you held in your arms for such a short time. While we will never forget them, I hope it's comforting to you that it does get easier, and that now we are able to talk about them without crying. We now can reflect on how such short lives have made us better parents, kinder people, and revealed to us a meaning in life that we never would have known had we not had the honor of being with them for their birth and holding them as they passed away. My thoughts are prayers are with you and your family during the difficult days ahead.
    Tracey (Charlotte's friend)

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  35. My thoughts and prayers are with your and your family. Sweet Avery Mae is now resting peacefully with the angels.

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  36. Nicolle ColvinJuly 15, 2009

    I am sorry that Avery grew her wings, she is in a better place now with no pain and no tubes or wires. We made a simular decision in December with Kasey. I know all of our angels are at peace and are looking down on us.

    Please know you are not alone, I have a book that is for parents who had to take their little one off life support if you would like it. It helped me and my family after we had to make our decsion.

    My thoughts are with you during the weeks, months and years to come!

    Hugs

    Nicolle

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  37. Melissa KellyJuly 15, 2009

    My thoughts are with your family. Avery's story touched my heart, I hope you guys find some peace in the months ahead. She will always be with you.

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  38. She is such a strong little girl. I am sure you are so proud of her.... she and your family have touched so many...

    "Fly, fly little wing,
    Fly where only Angels sing..."

    Thinking of you all.

    xo

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  39. Avery Mae...a beautiful soul on earth and a spectacular gift to Heaven.

    Having been in a similar experience as you...I pray that you all found peace as Avery flew to Heaven. I knew that Heaven was a part of my baby's plan in her last moments. I didn't understand why this was God's plan for her, but I was at peace with it and He wrapped his arms around us during those final moments.
    It sounds as though you too are surrounded by an amazing support system. Do not be afraid to ask people for help. Tell them what you need.

    My heart aches for your family. I will continue to pray for you all. Avery will never be forgotten.

    Hugs, love, and prayers.

    The Miles Family

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  40. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    I have followed Avery's story from the start. I have never left any comments though as I am not good with words. I have prayed and cried with you along your journey. Please know that you will see Avery again and she will love you always for all that you have done! Although I know your family still faces a long and difficult journey .... Please know that you are not Alone! You are loved!

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  41. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We too know what it is like to go through the ups and downs of having a CDH baby. Our angel baby, Andrew Lee, was 3 1/2 months old when we had to make the same decisions as you have. We had to have him removed from support as well when it was determined that nothing else could be done to help save him. Andrew just passed from our arms to the Lord's on July 1st. We just had his beautiful memorial service on the 11th. We will always keep Andrew in our hearts the same as Avery will remain in yours.

    Hugs and prayers,
    The Whittens

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  42. Our hearts and prayers are with you. It has been touching to have been drawn to Avery and your journey daily. We have admired your honesty and courage throughout these past 9 weeks. Avery's life will always be an inspiration to others. Love and hugs,

    Mike, Donna, Breanna, Crystal , and Ashlee

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  43. We can not express how sorry we are for your loss. We have followed your story and feel like we know you. We will continue to pray for your family. We are glad Avery is in an amazing place with no pain or wires.
    Thinking of you all.
    Christy, Brad, and Brycen

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  44. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    I will be thinking and praying for your family during this most difficult time in your life . I admire your strength!

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  45. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    I have been so touched and amazed by little Avery Mae. She put faith in me that I didn't know I'd lost. The decision you made for her was so selfless,that I am in awe. I will be honored to be able to be there,and celebrate her 9 weeks of life! Thank you for letting me share this journey with you. Love and many many prayers, The Givens

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  46. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with friends, relative and strangers like me. I cheered Avery's steps forward and was sad during her steps back. I hurt for your family and pray for all of you.
    Tammy from Ohio

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  47. My heart breaks for you and your family. I am so sorry about your sweet baby girl. I greatly admire your bravery in this terrible situation and believe that she's in better hands now. I will continue to lift all of you up in prayer.

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  48. Dear Shane & Carissa,

    While we may not know each other, your story has traveled across the country. You have truly been an inspiring family. No one truly knows what you have endured; the excitement of Avery's life, the turmoil of tests and surgeries and now the day that Avery is at peace in heaven. Just know that there are so many people that are thinking about your family and praying for nothing short of strength, peace and happiness during this time of sorrow. You will one day get to see that sweet baby girl of yours again. She was a fighter until the end and now she is an angel continually on your shoulder.

    May you celebrate the joys of her life.

    All the best to you.

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  49. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    God bless you all. May he bring you and your beautiful baby girl peace. With deepest sorrow for your loss,

    Michelle (halifax, nova scotia)

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  50. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    Praying for your family as you release Avery into the arms of Jesus. Prayers also for you as you keep her in your hearts.

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  51. AnonymousJuly 15, 2009

    I'll continue praying for you and your family during this most difficult time. I admire your strength and it is comforting to know that Avery is now free of pain. My heart aches for you and I will always remember your sweet Avery Mae.

    Carolyn (Nashville, TN)

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  52. Miss Avery Mae was quite the inspiration to all of us. While my heart is breaking for you that her life was so short, I'm amazed by your strength and courage and love. You and Shane are the best!!
    I love you!
    Melissa

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  53. its good to hear sweet avery is at peace now and in no more pain. my prayers for strength and comfort are with you all.

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  54. Allison in TXJuly 18, 2009

    Your story has touched me greatly. (Obviously-I've probably posted half a dozen comments already!) I've spent probably hours praying for you this week. I hope it comforts you to know that in her short life, sweet Avery probably touched more lives in 2 months than most people would in a hundred years.

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