09/19/2024
Dear Friends,
It’s hard to put into words how grateful my husband and I are for all the prayers and Masses; the many offerings of physical, emotional, and financial support; and the many kind messages, beautiful flowers, and thoughtful gifts we have received since the birth, baptism, and death of our baby son, Lawrence, on August 10th.
Friends, family, and complete strangers contributed generously to the GoFundMe set up by my brother Justin and his wife Immy. Others brought so many flowers that my hospital room and, later, my mother-in-law’s dining room looked like a flower shop. We received a whole basket of heartfelt cards, many with additional contributions tucked inside.
Physically, I’m doing much better – moving a lot faster, experiencing less soreness, almost cleared to lift more than 10 pounds again. Emotionally, most days are better as well, but there are still hard times – a lot of firsts, unexpected reminders, and even just many things that we realize we’ll never get to do with our first baby. No monthly milestones, no birthdays, no cute outfits or first words or first days of school.
The consolation, of course, is that our little Lawrence is in Heaven, where he will never have to go to school, never get sick, never even scrape his hands or knees. He’ll never even have to sit still through getting a haircut. Instead, he gets to see God every day and night, pray with his Guardian Angel, and be a part of the court of the Blessed Mother and celebrate all of Her feast days. He can help us, too – with special requests, with trials big and little. I pray daily that Patrick and I will one day get to see him again in Heaven – that he will not be disappointed when he comes looking for us at the Last Judgment. I so don’t want to disappoint him!
It would be impossible for us to individually thank every person who has prayed, donated, and had Masses said for us during this difficult time, but we hope that these pictures and holy cards of our little saint can help express some measure of our gratitude.
1. A 5x7 for printing/framing. It also prints well as a 4x6 – just watch the crop on the photo machine to make sure it is centered.
2. A more natural “baby picture” from the hospital.
3 & 4. Holy card fronts (makes 12) and backs (makes 12). These are designed to print on 11x17 paper set to flip on the short edge. You may want to try a test run before printing several copies, just in case your printer doesn't have great alignment.
If you are unable to print holy cards or only need a few, my friend DeAnne Ridge and her husband Leo have generously offered to print and mail holy cards to people who would otherwise not be able to get them. You can email them at [email protected].
However, if you attend St. Gertrude the Great parish in Cincinnati, Ohio; Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Fraser, Michigan; Queen of All Saints parish and school in Brooksville, Florida; or St. Dominic’s Chapel in Highland, Michigan; please keep an eye out in the vestibule – we are working on a way to get holy cards to you via local means.
God bless you all for your generosity and kindness.
Patrick and Colleen (Eldracher) Klabenes
