In the last few weeks and especially the last few days, Timmy grew more and more tired. Yesterday he slept through almost the whole day and night. This morning he was awake for about an hour before he fell asleep in tummy time. He slept for about another hour.
Then at about 10:30 AM, I looked over at him from the kitchen and realized that he had stopped breathing. I thought that we had lost him, but after I picked him up and held him he started to gasp for breath. After that, every breath became a struggle. It seemed that all of his energy was being used just for breathing.
He stayed with us for several hours. Marshall and I took turns holding him. Timmy's two favorite nurses came to help us decide the best way to keep him comfortable. He passed into the presence of our Lord at around 3 PM today. We praise the Lord that he died peacefully at home in our arms, surrounded by people who loved him. We will post information about funeral arrangements as we know them.
Thank you to everyone who has loved Timmy, prayed for us, and helped us in so many ways. We are so grateful that Timmy had such a wealth of love surrounding him. Although we will miss him terribly, we know that he will be happy and strong now, in a way he couldn't be on this Earth.
Timothy Joseph Elfstrand
August 11, 2007 - January 10, 2009
August 11, 2007 - January 10, 2009
38 comments:
We're holding you close in our prayers.
Love,
K & L--thank you for calling!!
Words cannot contain the depth of emotion for us...as we know where Timmy is, but also know what an ache there is this side of heaven. We are praying for the strength and comfort you need for the coming days. We will be there - and try to meet the needs we see. Please let us know of those we can't see. Dr. Michael Easley gave us this verse: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. May the God of all comfort allow you to sleep in peace tonight.
Lara & Marshall,
We can not imagine the sadness you are feeling right now and we pray that tonight but we pray that you feel the peace and love of Jesus tonight. We know that your sweet little man is in the arms of Jesus tonight and we know that one day you will be reunited with him again. We love you both so much and we are available to help with absolutely anything. You are in our prayers tonight and we pray that you are able to get some rest tonight.
Love,
Lee and Jacquelyn
I, too, don't quite have words to express how very sad I feel, knowing how deeply your heart aches. No baby could have had more love-filled, sweet & cheerful care leading up to his graduation day.
I am praying that you will experience God's peace that passes all understanding and that His mercies which are "new every morning" will strengthen you each time you wake up.
I love you,
Donna S.
Larita,
No se que decirte, no tengo palabras para expresarte la tristesa que hay en mi corazon. Estoy pensando mucho en ti. Porfavor llamame si necesitas cual quiere cosa.
Te queremos mucho,
La familia Daggett
p.s. Gracia por compartir "Plumb" con nuestra familia.
Marshall & Lara,
So very sorry to hear that Timmy's left us. I know he's in a much better place, and that we'll get to see him again. But even though expected, the reality hurts a lot. The few baby boy and Brutus tangles I got to enjoy come back, even fresher now.
I know you two grieve joy sampled then lost. Regina & I grieve with you. We'll also trust with you that Jesus will comfort you and bring you peace that doesn't make any sense at all.
Please let us know if there's anything we can do. We love you guys.
Jim
My Brothers I too pray for Jesus love to fill empty spot and comfort you. You continue to be in our prayers,
Tom & Diana
Dearest Lara and Marshall,
I have no idea what to say except that I am sorry for your loss. I have such a mix of emotion. I'm so sad that your arms will ache with the earthly loss of Timmy. Yet, at the same time, I can picture him in heaven running and leaping, laughing and singing. Our prayers will continue to be with you and with Timmy's grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
God Bless you,
The Ross family
Lara and Marshall,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss, and I am happy for the thoughts of Timmy running and laughing in Heaven.
Misty
Praise our loving Father in heaven for a peaceful passing at home with Mommy and Daddy. Know that we all wish we could be there right now showering you with hugs and prayers.
Timmy certainly was a special little boy and a sweet little nephew, grandchild, cousin, and son.
We love you and mourn and rejoice with you as well.
Love,
all of the Williames Family
Dear Lara and Marshall,
We are mourning with you; such a hole is left behind with Timmy going to be with the Lord. And yet, what a wonderful picture of him running and laughing with Jesus. And God wiping away his tears--and comforting you both. Praying for you!
Love, Lori ~& Silas & Claire
Lara & Marshall,
We love you guys and will be praying diligently for you. May you feel God's peace and love around you! I can't wait to finally meet Timmy in heaven!
Luv, Sem
I am sitting at my dining room table flooded with tears of grief and joy, and overwhelmed by some emotion I am sure there is no name for. Thank you so much for letting me spend time with all of you the week after Christmas and kiss and play with Timmy and hear your hearts. I hold that precious memory in my mind as I pray for you and all your family and friends. I am back in CA this Thursday through Tuesday if you need anything, anything.
Waves and oceans of love,
Kathie
We Love you! Our hearts have broken and yet rejoice at the same time. I was watching Ollie run around and being a silly kid and I started to cry tears mourning that Timmy earthly body never allowed him to run and play. And then a second later I started to cry tears of great joy because now he is able to run and sing and laugh and most of all sit with the Lord who loves him more than any of us ever could have. We love you and will mourn and rejoice along side you.
Love,
Aunt Bee
Hi,
I saw a link to your blog in a post on Linda Swanson's blog. I am so sorry for your loss and cannot even imagine what you are feeling right now. I wanted to let you know that we are praying for your family during this time.
Marshall and Lara,
We rejoice that God gave Timmy such wise and loving, fun to be with parents while he was on earth. May you both feel His arms around you now.
With our love and prayers,
Rob and Alice Longhurst
Dear Lara and Marshall,
How priviliged I feel to have been just a little part of that sweet little boy's life. Holding & cuddling Timmy was just precious. Now, Jesus is having that privilage. I pray that you both will find comfort in God's love. Please, if I can be of any help, please call on me.
Heidi K.
I also found your blog after reading a post on Linda Swanson's blog. Please know that even people you have never met are lifting you and your family in prayer. Your faith is inspiring and I know Jesus has his arms wrapped tight around you as I type this. God Bless you!
Amy
Lara and Marshall,
My mom called this evening and told us Timmy was home with Jesus. We are so very sorry for your loss, and will continue to hold you up before the Father. May you experience His comfort during this difficult time. We love you!
Mark, Tine & the boys
Marshall and Lara,
We were so sad to have heard of Timmy's passing and know that he is with his savior and creator.
We pray that God grants you peace and comfort through the sadness and the rejoicing that he is living in his restored body and that we get to see him again some day.
Love and prayers,
Jon and Camille Kehoe
Lara,
I don't really know what to say...but I love you, Please know that!! I too will be lifting you up in prayer, for God's perfect peace to overcome you and Marshall.
Love, Katrina
I am so grateful that Linda Swanson has shared your blog with all of us in her life here in Northern Califoria. What a beautiful boy Timmy is!! I just know that Heaven is an even brighter place now with his smile and beautiful eyes. I am praying for you dear family and friends of Timmy!! God Bless all of you
Kristina Edwards
Lara and Marshall-
We are so very sorry for your loss, but rejoice that Heaven has received another saint in Timmy. You have been, and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing Timmy's beautiful life with us.
Dear Lara & Marshall, We are so very sorry to hear of your sad news. We are acquaintances of Marshall's dad, Mark, through WMBI. We are praying for you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Keith & Ann Day
LaFox, IL
Just heard the news on your dad's radio show...
You are in my thoughts and prayers today. May He comfort you as you go through this difficult time.
Jon and Stef Singer in Dekalb, IL
I, too, heard the news on the morning show. Many tears will be shed that you won't even know about. Blessings to you and your family in this difficult time.
Thank you for sharing this journey with us, we know where Timmy is now, healthy and happy!! I'm glad God blessed you with your son; I believe you must have a special place in His heart. You will be in my prayers as you grieve.
Hugs,
Ruth
Dear Lara and Marshall,
I am a faithful listener to Mark Elfstrand's morning program on Moody, and I have been following the journey, as so many have.
I was so sad to hear of Timmy's passing on Saturday, but I am comforted to know that Jesus is holding him securely in his loving arms now.
This story has touched me at my heart because I have a 16-month old grandson, Elijah David. He is so precious to me, and I can't imagine losing him. I will hold him even closer and pray for him more often because of your loss.
Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to all of you during this very difficult time.
Lara & Marshall,
You are in my prayers and my tears today. I keep thinking about snuggling with Timmy at lunch while you practiced with the Doves. Timmy is such a good snuggler. It is a beautiful picture to think of him cozied up in the lap of Jesus. I'm jealous in a way that he gets to do that because right now my heart hurts, and cozying up with Jesus sounds good right now.
I wanted to let you know that we at MAF are putting together a financial gift to send to you. I'm sending it your way on Thursday afternoon. We love you so much here. Know that our hearts are heavy and we are praying for you guys.
Love, Bonni
Dear Marshall and Lara,
Last summer on a long car trip Stefanie had a conversation with my 5-year old granddaughter, Olivia. It went something like this:
[Olivia] Stef, what do you think Papa (Steve) is doing in heaven?
[Stef] Well honey, I imagine he is doing some of his very favorite things – maybe playing tennis or flying an airplane. . . .
[Silence for about 5 minutes]
[Olivia] STEF, STEF, I know what Papa is doing right now! He’s tickling all the little children in heaven!
When I heard the news about Timmy this morning I envisioned Steve with outstretched arms, welcoming Timmy into heaven – and tickling him!
My love and prayers are with you both. God will give you the strength to get through this, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.
Love, Joy
Marshall & Lara,
Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for you both! I too know intimately the pain of loss, & the terrible emptiness and sorrow you are both experiencing right now. I want you to know Marshall, that my Dad thought of you as a true friend & was so excited for you both when he heard that Lara was expecting Timmy. I am absolutely certain that (as my Mom said) he was there with arms outstretched to welcome Timmy home!! It comforts ME to think that my Dad has your precious little boy to play with in Heaven!! You are both in my prayers!
Love in Christ,
Rachel (King) Bryan
Laura and Marshall, as regular listeners to the "morning show" we feel like family and our hearts ache for you as you say goodbye to your sweet baby/gift. I thank God that "WE DO NOT GRIEVE AS THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOPE..." 1Thess 4:13-18and that you know you will see your little Timmy again someday. We are sad for your entire family and will be praying that your precious memories and your faith in God's promises will comfort you as you come to accept your son's/grandson's new heavenly home w/Jesus. Jay and Libby
Marshall & Lara,
There are no words to be said in a time like this... You are in our prayers. Just remember that you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
Jonah & Kristina Shallies
Dear Lara & Marshall,
Although we haven´t talked in a long time, my sister has always keeping me up to date about what has been going on in your family´s life and specially Timmy´s life. I felt terrible to hear the news, so I can not even imagine how do you feel. All I can say is that I am very very sorry for your loss. I have seen now almost all of your blog, and let me tell you that all this time that Timmy shared with you, I am sure he enjoyed every minute of such a loving and caring mother, father, family and friends that were always with him at anytime.
Here in Ecuador, our thoughts and broken hearts are with you in this difficult time.
hugs for you and your family,
Panch
Dear Lara and Marshall,
From Pittsburgh, tears are falling and prayers are ascending. We love you and send our hugs.
Dear Jesus, welcome Timmy into your everlasting presence of love and delight. Give your children Lara and Marshall the clearest sense of your love, comfort, and presence.
Blesings and comfort and peace be yours.
Love,
Jim and Laura
Our hearts are heavy for you. May you find peace and comfort. He is home with the Lord... until we can join him.
Our love and prayers are with you,
Leah, Charlie, and the girls
Lara & family
I am so sorry to hear about Timmy. I want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I can only imagine how heartbroken you must be.
Emily (Anderson) Macey
FCS '94
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