On October 24, 2007, our family learned that Jeffrey had colorectal cancer with metastasis to the bone. A nightmare that would never end had began. Who would have dreamed that Jeffrey had been living with this cancer growing in his body for at least 10 years? Certainly not his friends or family.  Jeffrey fought with all of his strength and had the very best medical care, but God needed him more than we did and took him home to Heaven on April 10, 2009. A large chunk of my heart was gone and I've been lost since.  I am so thankful that I know Jeffrey was a Christian and will be waiting on us when God calls us home.

Tomorrow on February 1, 2016, Jeffrey will have a niece that he won't meet until Heaven. Berkley will hear many stories about her Uncle Jeffrey from her "Papa" and "Wawa" Flanders. Very few others will take the time to share how loving Jeffrey was and the adventures they shared together. 
I know in my heart that Jeffrey is rejoicing because Nikki and Dagan are being blessed with one of the greatest gifts they will ever be blessed with, a daughter. 
I love and miss you my dear Jeffrey and each day continues to be a struggle, but I will survive until God calls me to my Heavenly home where I will be reunited with you and many other loved ones.  
We love and miss you!
MOM

(Berkley Noel Holland arrived on February 1, 2016 at 5:15 PM weighing 6lbs, 2oz and was 18.5 inches long)

From the time Jeffrey was born until the time he was called home, Dawn and Stacie were two special cousins that he loved to spend time with and he always wanted to be at Aunt Teresa's house. Dawn and Stacie would dress Jeffrey up as a girl, but he didn't mind because he was getting their attention. He loved to swim in their pool and would agree to almost anything Dawn and Stacie wanted to do to him or with him. He was the first grandchild on my side of the family, so he quickly became very attached to the Ekre family because there were no little ones to play with yet on the Boswell side of the family, but that soon changed and I can't wait to come up with some stories of his time with his "Boswell" cousins.  He always knew that Aunt Teresa would give him whatever he wanted and they went on many adventurous shopping trips. Ricky often went with them when I was working crazy hours at Food Lion and quickly learned that Teresa and Patty Allen would keep them out until the stores closed--Jeffrey would sometimes run out of formula or diapers, but the shoppers kept going. Our families often vacationed together at Myrtle Beach and loved camping at the lake.   During Jeffrey's illness, they supported him until the very end.  He especially loved when his Aunt Teresa would come to the hospital and go to Radiation with him.  I always acted as though I was jealous because he wanted her to go and not me, but the reality was that I needed breaks to take care of things that Jeffrey was not ready to know.   I love you all--Mike, Teresa, Dawn, Matt, Riley, Stacie, Andy, Dayton, Watson, and Zoe and wish that Jeffrey had been around longer to spend time with the Ekre grandkids.  Thank you all for loving our son and supporting our family in so many ways during his last days. 

Jeffrey was the first grandchild on my side of the family and gave MeMama her "grandparent" name.  He loved her just as much as he loved me. He always looked forward to Mama taking him to his treatments or out for a meal. He knew that she had always been by our side, loved us deeply, and would be there for all eternity!
Before Jeffrey's cancer diagnosis all it took was a phone call and Mama was at our house in what seemed like seconds. Regardless of our needs, Mama helped us out in every way possible. She has always been supportive, loving, and the person that I knew would always love us (me) unconditionally.
When Jeffrey was diagnosed with his colorectal cancer it had already spread to many areas in his bones.  Mama was right by our side. She visited often in the hospital and at home, provided financial assistance because I was on FMLA (I was going to be the RN providing Jeffrey's care)! The physician thought Jeffrey would survive about 6 months, but Jeffrey lived 18 months. Many others provided help, but without Mama's assistance, I would not have been able to provide Jeffrey's care from diagnosis until his death.  Unfortunately, I am still dealing with severe depression and anxiety and my mother, my rock is right by my side. It's been 7 years now and most have moved on because they don't understand my problems, but Mama doesn't judge me, she supports me in every way possible. Without Mama, Ricky, Nikki, and Ken, life would not be worth living, but they encourage me to continue doing all I can to get better and never give up!
My family is very special to me as they were to Jeffrey, but it wasn't in God's plan to let Jeffrey stay here on earth with us. I'll never understand why God needed Jeffrey more than his family and friends, but we will be reunited in Heaven and I believe that day is getting close. 
MeMama, Jeffrey loved you with all of his heart and knew that you would do anything you could to help him. When I explained what was going to happen and asked Jeffrey if he wanted to be cremated or buried in a cemetery, he immediately said that he wanted to be by his MeMama.
He made every decision about his death. He wanted to be a DNR, he asked Nikki to pick out the songs and he told us that he wanted Jason Fulmer and Kasey Reames Wilson to sing those songs. 
Jeffrey gained much wisdom in those 18 months and fought for his life with all of his might, but his body finally couldn't take anymore. He was in severe pain due to the cancer in the bones and Radiation side effects, but rarely complained. He is my hero and my Mother made many sacrifices to help our family be able to spend as much time together as possible. She is always taking care of others instead of relaxing and enjoying retirement, especially since she has 2 great grandchildren to keep her busy.
Janice, Ken, Amy, and I have been blessed with the best Mother/Father in the world. I can't imagine having to care for 4 children as their mother and father figure, but my Mother is the best role model any of us will ever know and I thank God for blessing us with the perfect parent.
Jeffrey loved you so much and I know he was very proud to be your grandson.     

Jeffrey became a big brother on June 30, 1989 at 8:20AM to his sister, Sabrina Nicole Flanders (Holland). He was so excited and couldn't wait to hold her. While at the hospital on the day Nikki was born, he was like a wild child going from step stool to step stool trying to see her better. The day we came home from the hospital we decided the papason chair was the safest place.  He was delighted with his new sister...for a while anyway :)