Thank you so much for visiting our site. Your sweet words and prayers mean the world to me. I am so sorry for your loss. I will add your family to my prayers.
Good morning, Punkin. I went to Children's Hospital yesterday to visit Dylan, my cousin's son. He has an infection in his shunt. They had to remove the old one and have him on 10 days of antibiotics. He will have to undergo one more surgery when his infection clears to put the shunt back in.
As I entered the parking deck so many memories came rushing back to me. I remembered the many, many days that I parked there while you were in the hospital. As I passed the handicapped spot where we always parked I had visions of the many times that we would park there to unload you and your wheelchair from the van. I also remembered the last day that I parked there, February 8, 2007. It was a very long day that day. I remember walking down the cat walk to the parking deck late that night feeling so empty and heartbroken because you had taken your last ride, February 3rd when you had your stroke. It seemed like I walked forever and ever before I got to the van and once I got in the van it was so hard for me to pull out of that parking deck leaving you behind knowing the next time I would see you would be at the funeral home.
As I walked through the halls of the hospital I was overcome with emotions. I remember when we would be allowed to escape your room for a little while and take you on a stroll around the hospital. You would sit in your chair and stare in amazement at all the beautiful colors and objects around the hospital. You would get so excited when we went on our little trips and cry when I had to put you back in the bed.
I met Dr. Tinney, your nephrologist in the walkway and spoke but he didn't know it was me. I asked him, "do you remember me?" and he said, "No, I'm sorry I don't", I said, "I'm Jacob Snelling's mom" and he said, "Oh my gosh I didn't recognize you!". Alot of people around the hospital don't recognize me anymore because since loosing you I have been on an emotional roller coaster which has caused me to loose alot of weight. Within the past nine months my world has been turned upside down. I lost my job in February, your daddy and I divorced last October, I have moved twice, your brother Wesley went to live with his daddy in May, got mixed up with the wrong group of people and has pretty much disowned me. I simply wanted him to grow up and be more responsible. He will be 18 years old in Sept. I wanted him to get a job and learn the importance of having a job and being a responsible young adult, but he choses otherwise. He doesn't visit or call me anymore. I get so upset sometimes because he is acting this way but as I have been told by others, I have to let him go and let him learn by his mistakes. They tell me that one day he will look back and regret his actions. I just hope it isn't too late when he does realize how much he has hurt me. I feel like a bad mother and wonder, "where did I go wrong"?
Austin is just stuck in the middle. He attends the YMCA summer camp and cannot wait for school to start back. He seems happy even though there has been alot of change in his life as well. He keeps me going. He is the most loving child and he talks about you all the time. He misses you so much. I wish I could take his heartache away.
No one said that life would be easy and believe me, it hasn't been. I have learned that the things that I have been through made me a stronger person, even though there are some days when I feel like I can't go on.
Jacob, your story lives on. Your maw maw and paw paw Harper tell your story to every person who comes in the thrift store. There are so many people who have cried listening to them talk about you and what a miracle you were to our family. You have touched so many lives and continue to touch lives. There are a few people that visit the store who have lost children and my parents sit and listen as these people share their precious memories of their child that passed away.
Hearing your story has made believers out of non-believers. You were sent to us to serve God's purpose and I know that God hugged you when you entered the gates of Heaven and said, "Well done my good and faithful servant".
Jacob, we love you and miss you so very much. I look forward to the day that we will be reunited again.
Each month when I come to Jacob's site, my heart is so deeply touched by Jacob's story, his family and who come to leave a word or two. I encourage everyone to cherish Jacob's legacy.
I'd like to extend an AngelWingsRemember prayer vigil invitation:
**An Invitation to All Prayer Warriors**
The Prayer Warriors at Angel_Wings are holding a Prayer Vigil on Saturday, July 19th, between 8-9 pm EST for all the children, teens and adults on our prayer lists and our AngelWingsRemembers families.
Hello beautiful little Jacob. I have been thinking of you a lot the past couple of days and wanted to send you a note with lots of love. I also wanted to let you know that yesterday June 27th, when I sent Landon his balloons to heaven that I also sent one made especially for you. I know that you got them because on the way home, Jen and I saw a rainbow and we knew that it was from Landon and all of you Angels in heaven letting us know that you had received all of the balloons from everyone. I hope that his party was a blast and that all of you had fun with Jesus yesterday and that you didn't wear him out too bad. I know how you little ones can play non-stop for hours. So give Landon and all your Angel friends hugs and kisses (well maybe just hugs) from me and I will see all of you again one day! Won't that be a great day for all of us.
Love Always, Landon's Aunt Becky
Good morning, my precious angel. Yesterday, I went to the florist and got four balloons; a red, green, blue & yellow to release in celebration of your 4th birthday. I had "In Loving Memory of Jacob Snelling" written on each balloon. Austin started Summer camp yesterday so on the way home he made four birthday wishes to attach to your balloons. I was so touched. He drew angels on every one of them and wrote special messages just for you. The one that really touched me the most and I could not help but cry read as follows: "Happy 4th Birthday, Jacob. We love you and miss you so much. We will see you soon."
Marvin and I rolled the messages up and tied each one of them to the balloons. When we got to the cemetary one of the balloons flew out of the car before Austin could catch it. It was the green one your favorite color. I told Austin that you couldn't wait for us to sing and was determined to have that balloon right then. He just laughed. Me, Marvin and Austin all knelt at your grave, sang "Happy Birthday" and released the balloons. We watched them disappear into the sky. Your mawmaw and pawpaw Harper put a card and some toys on your grave. I opened the card they had left and tears streamed down my face as I read the part of them telling you to give Jesus a kiss for them. I could picture you sitting on Jesus' lap clapping your hands together like you would do when you would get excited and those big blue eyes so full of joy as you watched us release your birthday balloons. You used to love for Austin to play with you by hitting a balloon around the room. You would just laugh and laugh at him. He misses you so much.
We are moving into a new house this weekend and yesterday he got to meet some of the kids who live in the neighborhood. The little boy who lives right next to us was riding around in a battery powered jeep and the next time I looked out the window the little boy who looks like he is about three years old was riding Austin around in his jeep. It looked so funny because Austin has such long legs. They played together for a little while before his mom made him go in for the evening. Austin does not meet a stranger and he loves to play with smaller kids. He says it reminds him of when you and him used to play together. It breaks my heart that you aren't here because all he used to talk about was how he was going to teach you everything that a big brother was supposed to teach their baby brother. He was so proud of you and he shares his stories about you to anyone he meets.
We love you and miss you so much, Punkin. Another birthday without you but another year closer to seeing you again someday. Send us your love and give us the strength to make through our sad days when we get to missing you so bad all we want to do is cry. We are heartbroken and always will be without you.
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Jacob, Happy Birthday to you..............we love you!"
Birthday Wishes / Lori Mommy 2. Twins Kinsey And Kylee (mommy 2 angel twins )Read >>
Birthday Wishes / Lori Mommy 2. Twins Kinsey And Kylee (mommy 2 angel twins )
Trovia, and family, I just want you to know that Im thinking of you all today, on this sad but day of celebration of a little boy who has touched the lives of so many and will continue to do so through your ministries!! I can't explain the way Jacob has grown right inside my heart. From the very first day I found his page I have thought of him. He has never left my heart, not one single second! I love him like my own, and know that God has some grand purpose for bringing us together. I know this day is so hard, but joyous for you all. What an amazing life you brought into this world, only to have to let him go so soon, what are Gods reasonings we ask ourselfs so often, but we know he will provide and comfort. I only wish I could have met that lil Jacob while here on earth, but I know he will save me a hug and a smile along with my girls when it's my time to join him. Trovia, your strength and faith are so un ending. Although I know that it's not always easy to be that way. I hope you had time today not only to smile at fond memories but to cry the much needed tears we tend to build up! I hope your family was able to get together today as well. I love you and send you my strength and my prayers, let me know how your day went. Send love to your other boys for me too, I know they hurt as well. Love you, Lori
Your birthday is fastly approaching. I cannot believe you would have been 4 years old on June 2nd. I feel like it was only yesterday that I was sitting at home rocking you to sleep as we watched your favorite cartoons. You would always through your paci blankie over your head when your eyes would start getting heavy letting me know you had enough cartoons and were ready to go nite, nite. I always sat and rocked you until you drifted off into dreamland. I remember sitting and kissing your sweet little cheeks and thinking how precious you were and how I hated to see the day that I would have to let you go. I knew in my heart you were not going to be with me much longer but I didn't want to accept that fact. I cherished every moment we had together and I miss those special times. I have cried the majority of the weekend just thinking about how much I miss you and long to hold you in my arms again. I miss those sweet little smiles you would give me. I miss hearing your laughter as you and Austin would play in the afternoon. I miss those big, beautiful eyes looking up at me filled with so much love and life. You amazed me with your strength and determination. No matter how bad things were you always managed to smile for your mommy. I miss those days, Punkin.
Austin is looking forward to drawing pictures for you to attach to your birthday balloons that we are going to release to you next Monday, June 2nd, for your birthday celebration. This will be your 2nd b'day party with Jesus. I cannot believe it has been that long already. To me, it seems like time stopped when you passed from my arms into the arms of Jesus. I relive that night over and over. I can remember every detail of the last week you spent on this earth. It is so hard to not remember. I do not want to remember those times only the good ones we had together but I guess in order for us to remember good times, we also have to deal with the bad memories. I guess that is God's way of showing what we had was special and that life is too short and we should cherish every moment because it can be taken away in the blink of an eye.
Please be with me, your brothers, your daddy, & your grandparents as we struggle to remain strong and continue to help others through the Jacob Christian Ministry Thrift Store as well as keeping your memory alive by telling others of what a miracle and blessing you were in our lives as well as so many others. Your story continues to touch hearts everyday.
We love you so much and our hearts ache from the emptiness that has been left, but we rejoice in the fact of knowing that you are in a better place and we cannot wait until the day that we can all be together again.
Hello angel!! I hope you are enjoying yourself in heaven! I havent been on your website in soo long! gosh-i miss you little guy!. I stil have people at my school ask me about your mommy and the boys- i usually fight back the tears,and tell them they're doing good.
Mothers Day was yesterday, and I was with mamaw,or your great aunt joyce and my mommy and i got to thinking about your mommy and mamaw, and how hard it must be for them. Your mommy is one of the strongest women I know jacob,she's amazingly strong. I thank God every day that he gives her and your family the strength to go on. I dont honestly see how she does it, but i hope her and austin&wesley had a good Mother's Day because shes on of the best around.
I'll find myself lookin up at the sky and thinkin "wow, jake is up there lookin down at me." Im sooo glad that God decided to put you in my family. I wouldnt be the same person I am today, I wouldnt be the Christian I am today without you. thanks precious. I send my love and prayers to your mommy and the family.
Mommy has been having one of those weekends. You have been on my heart so heavily and all I want to do is cry for you. I feel so lost without you. Your brothers keep me busy and Austin talks about you sometimes but not as much to me as he does to other people. Yesterday I took him to visit a friend and on the way back from the store we were all in the car together and a lady almost hit us head on. It scared Austin to death but you know what he said? He said, "I'm ready to go to Heaven but not like this!"........I got so tickled at him. I asked him why he said that and he said he wanted to come see you. I fought back the tears. He misses you so, so much. We all do. I decorated your grave last week. I removed all the old Easter stuff from it and put a beautiful yellow floral cross, a figurine of God's hand holding a baby in the palm and a few other things. It looks really pretty and I know you are happy with the yellow flowers being that you loved the colors red, green and yellow. I keep looking for that rainbow that you are supposed to send me but haven't seen one in nearly six months. I keep expecting to see you in my dreams but have yet to experience that joy. I don't really understand why I don't dream of you........maybe it is because you know in my heart that I know you are okay and I am not looking for that reassurance, I really can't explain it. I know alot of people have dreams about their loved ones because they have unanswered questions or concerns and maybe that is God's way of showing them that their loved one is okay. I know you're okay but my heart still aches to see you in my dreams. You have been in Heaven almost 15 months now and it still seems like yesterday that I was holding you in my arms singing "Jesus Loves Me" as I rocked you to sleep. I will always cherish those special moments with you. You were my special angel and I thank God for the two and a half years that I was blessed with your sweet smile and beautiful spirit. You touched so many lives and still continue to touch lives.
Your mawmaw and pawpaw Harper have the thrift store open and it is decorated with so many of your pictures as well as other angels that have joined you and also pictures of all of your doctors. They have done an extraordinary job and worked their hearts out to make the store just perfect in your honor. It is beautiful and I know you are so proud of them for wanting to do this to help the families of other children at the hospital. I am so very proud of your mawmaw and pawpaw. They have always been there for us, Jacob. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such wonderful parents and for allowing them the time to be able to spend with you. They cry for you everyday, just as I do. You will always be in their hearts and I know that they look forward to the day that you run to meet them at the Gates of Heaven, just as I do.
Mother's Day is just around the corner and this will be the 2nd Mother's Day I will be without you. I remember last year that I cried nearly the whole time I was in church because you had been in Heaven for only a few months. I am praying for God to give me strength to rejoice in the fact that you are in Heaven this Mother's Day and that you will be looking down on me sending me your love as I celebrate Mother's Day with your brothers. I don't know what I would do without your brothers. They keep me going.
I love you so much, Punkin and the pain of loosing you always remains in my heart. But I do smile when I picture you chasing birds and butterflies through God's beautiful Heavenly gardens. Have fun with all your other little angel friends and tell them to send their mommies love too. Give Shaun a kiss for me and tell him that his Aunt Trovia loves him and misses him so much and to please send his mommy and the rest of his family love. This will be his mommy's first Mother's Day without him and it is so hard on her right now and I know the pain is going to be so intense for her. The first holidays that come around without our children are always the hardest. Send word to your angel friends to surround their families with love as they suffer through their firsts without them.
Good night my precious angel. Mommy will always love and miss you but will never, ever forget you. You are my, Punkin. I love you.
GOD BLESS YOU / Sherry Mom 2. Angel Israeia Read >>
GOD BLESS YOU / Sherry Mom 2. Angel Israeia
God bless you for making the choice to give life when you baby was facing death. For all the parents of children who have received life as a result of someone else suffering, THANK YOU! I am the mommy of a little girl who received the gift of life from a very generous family facing the hardest thing any parent has to face, as a result I had 3 years and 6 months with my little angel girl. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Close
Hey sweet boy! / Annette
Hey sweet boy, you and your family have been on my heart heavy this week. It doesn't seem like you've been gone a year already. I know that your Mommy misses you so much. Send her hugs and kisses. Ethan joined you in heaven a few days ago. Tell him to send his mommy and daddy love. They are in so much pain right now. You and all your little friends have a great time. From time to time visit your mommy in her dreams. Close
14 Months ago you left this world............. / Mommy Read >>
14 Months ago you left this world............. / Mommy
Jacob,
Today is your 14 month angel-versary and it doesn't seem real. I feel so alone. I had a speech to do in class last night and I did it on the importance of organ donation. I set up an 8x10 of you and one of little McKinley, the baby who received one of your corneas. I did very well through the whole speech talking about the importance of donating and then I came to the conclusion which ended with me talking about you and I started crying in front of the class. It took me a minute to recompose myself but I held my head high and told what a blessing you were to me and my family and even after your death what a blessing you have been to many other families, mainly McKinley's. I made believers out of those who did not believe in organ donation. Your story lives on, baby and it always will because I will take every opportunity to tell your story.
Your mawmaw and pawpaw Harper have been working nonstop on the thrift store. It looks great! They are planning to have the "grand opening" this weekend. I'm praying that it continues to grow and grow so that we can continue to help the families at Children's Hospital.
Your big brother's junior prom was Saturday night. He looked so handsome. I wish you could have been here to share in his happiness. He misses you so much. It is so hard for your brothers. They miss you so, so much! It is hard for all of us but they try to remain strong for me, I know. I am so proud of all of you. My boys are my life and I don't know what I would do without ya'll.
Please tell Shaun to continue to send his mommy lots of love. She is having a really hard time being that Shaun left us so soon. You boys take care of each other and try to stay out of trouble :)
It seems like forever since I held you in my arms. I lay in bed looking at your pictures sitting on my dresser and it scares me that for a moment sometimes I feel as though I haven't held you in forever. It has only been a little over a year since you left me but I feel like it has been 10 years or more. I feel so lost without you. It is true that in the past year, the pain of loosing you is not so intense but I know that there will always be the emptiness and pain that remains. I miss not being able to touch your soft skin or rub my face in your sweet little curls or hear your laughter echo through the house. It hurts so bad not being able to walk into your room and see you look up at me with those beautiful blue eyes and give me that "heartmelting" smile you always gave me. It would brighten my day no matter how bad of a day I was having.....all I had to do was come home to you and you smile at me and all the bad stuff went away. I try to occupy my thoughts with only the good memories we shared together. I haven't cried in awhile (until tonight) and I often wonder why I don't cry as much as I used to..........the only reason that I can come up with is that I am slowly healing and even though I miss you more than words can describe, I know you are free now and I rejoice in knowing you feel no more pain.
THIS DAY'S GREATEST GIFTS We can't change the past… But we can gather up It's lessons and move on, Stronger and wiser. We can't control the future… But we can send our dreams Ahead of us To help prepare the way. We can live each moment… Heart and soul, And cherish this day's Greatest gift… The gift of now. May peace with the past And faith in the future, Gently guide you through each Precious moment of Today. I pray you have a Blessed Easter MJ/Angel_Wings
Easter Wishes / Dorine McNary (Friend) To Precious Jacob's Family, It has been way too long since you've heard from me but I haven't forgotten about you. I want to wish you a Very Blessed Easter. Here is a verse from our church service this morning which I want to share with you: Romans 8:32 'He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also,along with him, graciously give us all things?' Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,Dorine McNary Close
I can see you smiling down on your mawmaw and pawpaw Harper as they work so hard to get the building finished for the Jacob Christian Ministries Thrift Store. Dylan's church family came and put the rafters for the roof and the metal roofing on about a month or so ago and your mawmaw and pawpaw have been working so hard to get the sides put on, the doors and windows put in and now are working on the inside putting up insulation, paneling, etc. They work from daylight until dark and you know that their bodies are so tired and worn down but they do this in honor of you, Jacob. They love you so much and their hearts ache everday for you, just as mine. You will forever be in their hearts. The Ministry is a dream of theirs to help the families at Children's Hospital who are walking in the shoes that we once wore.
I am so proud of your mawmaw and pawpaw, Jacob. They are so tired but continue to work their hearts out to make the ministry a success. Please visit them in their dreams and send the warmth of your love to fill their hearts so that they know you are always with them guiding them, loving them, applauding them. You were our blessing, Jacob and we thank God for allowing us to take care of you for the short time we had you. You taught us how important it is to enjoy life because it is way too short.
We know how much you loved life.........it was seen in the big beautiful smile you always gave us and the love of God glowed in the twinkle of those big blue eyes. You are loved and missed so dearly, Jacob.
I feel like I have known you forever Jacob. / Bernadette McTaggart (Friend)Read >>
I feel like I have known you forever Jacob. / Bernadette McTaggart (Friend)
I talk to your mommy often, and your story is in my heat. I know you are with my baby Kevin and is taking care of you now. Did you know that you got your angel wings in the very next room Kevin got his? Just one year..... apart by 1 day.
I feel a special conection with your mommy, and I pray for her every day. Praying that she will have peace knowing you are in good hands, just like you were in the loving arms of your mother and many others who cared for you. I love you Jacob!!!!!!!! Visit mommy in her dreams, Kevin comes to me often and this is very healing.....
Trovia, this last year has been crazy for me, and I'm sorry I have not been here for you, as much as I know I wanted to be. I think of you all the time. I know you have many lloved ones that do too. I feel a very special bond with you and Jacob....with him passing in the very next room Kevin passed away, just one year apart. One day I hope we can meet and share that special bond that we now have. I know you are very strong, but I know your pain, we live it every day! Our sons will be forever in my heart and noone can feel the hurt we will forever feel. Know that I am here for you, and that I love you very much.
"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you; and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love, but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies, but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday." - Lebanese-born poet, Khalil Gibran
Trovia, God bless you during this time of rememberance.
You have been in my thoughts and prayers this weekend. I know we don't talk much but you are all ways on my mind. You are an amazing woman; I thank God for you and your friendship. Please know that Mike and I love you and your family, you all mean a lot to us.
Tributes and Condolences
Visit mommy in her dreams, Kevin comes to me often and this is very healing.....
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