Michelle Mach, I am the Coordinator of Longview School; Bailey’s school, the home of the Lions. I have had the honor and privilege, to be at different times, both Bailey’s teacher and his administrator.  

Bailey was a remarkable young man. He had a wonderful sense of humor, powerful determination, infinite patience, an unbounded capacity to love, and tremendous courage.  Qualities we should all strive for.  Bailey lived an amazing life though it was very short. He taught us a great about what is possible.  Disability does not mean inability.

There is a quote I like, it says: “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” ~Mary Anne Radmacher   That was Bailey, he never stopped trying, he never gave up.  He approached his life with dignity, grace, determination and perseverance.   He did everything we asked of him without complaint. Splints on, splints off, up in the stander, down on the mat, into the gait trainer and back to his chair.  Not a single complaint from Bailey.   He had infinite patience with us and loved us unconditionally.  Let’s try the switch here Bailey, maybe over here would be better Bailey Bear.  At the prom, he always saved a dance for me.  If you have ever seen me dance, you’d know he was exercising great patience.  He believed in us and knew we would get it right.  He believed in us and he helped us believe in ourselves.

He touched the lives of students and staff alike and many of them are here this morning and there are many more that are unable to attend this morning.    Bailey had the heart of a lion and the gentleness of a lamb.  When he was in school he always had a smile for you.  That smile would cast light on the darkest shadow of your day.  His smile lit up the room and it was contagious too.   The whole world was a brighter place.  One of his teachers shared with me that one her first memories of Bailey, was during his first week of Kindergarten.  She heard him laughing out loud while he was working at the computer.  He was listening to a story and she couldn't figure out why he was enjoying it so much, but it really made her smile.  Later, she found out that his mom had an English accent and the program he was listening to had a British reader!  The teacher wondered if he thought he was listening to his Mom! But that was Bailey, he found joy in everything.

Bailey loved school, he liked being right in the thick of things.   He always had to know what was happening.  He was always up for an adventure and we sure had some adventures together.  He played in the Homecoming football games, went canoeing at outdoor education, rode on the Mayflower at out Thanksgiving celebration, danced the night away at the prom and helped save the earth on Earth Day. 

Bailey may not have been able to talk, but he communicated very clearly with those big brown beautiful eyes.  When he was happy or engaged he looked right at you and those eyes drew you in.  Those beautiful eyes sparkled when he was happy and embraced you with love and acceptance.   Mom and Dad, I’ll bet you didn’t know Bailey was dating in second grade.  That’s right; we had a standing lunch date every Wednesday and Thursday. He and I got to be lunch buddies.   He made me feel so special.  I would walk into his room and he would flash that brilliant smile.  I hope it was for me and not just lunch.  He would listen to me tell stories or he would tell me about his day using his facial expressions.  He greeted all who approached with a gentle look and kind smile.  It didn’t matter who you were, he always treated you with a respect that made you feel special.   Everyone needs an opportunity to feel special and that a little kindness can go a very long way.  For a young man who couldn’t talk, he spoke volumes. 

This is not the time for us to grieve Bailey’s death but it’s our time to celebrate his life.  This is not the moment for us to shed our tears, but for us to be thankful that we were given the chance to have known a boy named Bailey.

I would like to conclude with this poem, it is titled…

Memories in the Heart
Feel no guilt in laughter; he knows how much you care.
Feel no sorrow in a smile that he’s not here to share.
You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to.
He’d hope that you can carry on, the way you always do.
So talk about the good times and the ways you showed you cared.
The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.
Let memories surround you.  A word someone may say will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day, that brings him back as clearly as though he were still here And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.

For if you keep these moments, you will never be apart
And he will live forever, locked safe within your heart.

There are no words that can adequately express the enormity of our sorrow at his loss.  Bailey, with his sparkling brown eyes and his infectious smile, dances among the angels as he joins his Longview friends that have gone before him. We will truly miss our lion prince and he will forever be part of our “pride”.  

Brian and Bernadette and all of Bailey’s family, Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives, thank-you for sharing Bailey with us.