Jeffrey- you were our angel while you were here with us, and now you are our angel in heaven. I will never forget any of our memories, the good, the bad, the funny, the sad. I will cherish them every day for the rest of my life. I'm heartbroken that you're gone; but I am so thankful that I had you for these 19 years of my life. They would have meant nothing if I didn't have my bubba to share them with . I love you more than words could ever express. & I will ALWAYS hold you in my heart. I know you're always with me.. & I know I will see you waiting for me one day. I love you baby boy. Take care of all of us. We're staying strong, because we promised you that we would. Thank you for smiling that one last smile. You could always brighten the saddest of days, and that smile let us know that you were no longer in pain, no more suffering. I love you Jeffrey, always and forever. You'll always be my number one, my bubba :)

Nikki Holland

April 10, 2009 seems as if it were yesterday. I can still hear Jeffrey singing "Daddy likes big butts...." as I was making his hospital bed and had a hard time getting to the side of the bed by the wall. I can remember the numerous times that he got mad at me for making him do what the Dr. ordered. He knew that I loved him unconditionally and would always be by his side regardless of what he would tell me when he was mad. Not mean things, but comments such as "don't touch me" or "don't talk to me!"
There was a certain man, Mr Rudy Heath, that visited Jeffrey often and soon felt like family. He could get Jeffrey to do whatever he was supposed to do without one complaint. Although I know that Jeffrey is in a much better place, I yearn for the day when our family is reunited.
I pray that all parents let their children know that they love them unconditionally and tell them often because only God knows what tomorrow holds and the loss of our son at the age of 22 hurts just as much today (if not more) than 7 years ago.  

   

Jeffrey and I had a years long friendship that began when I was just in middle school. We would talk frequently online or on the phone, and he would even send me CDs through Nikki at school. He became one of the best friends I had, and I miss him every day. When he told me he was sick, he promised me that there was nothing to worry about and that he'd beat it. He never, ever let on to how sick he truly was, because he always cared more about others' well-being than his own. He was the most selfless, genuine person I have ever known. On days when he probably felt at his worst, he was always first to ask me how I was or how my day was going.

We spent a lot of time talking about music, and even attended two of the same concerts. The second one was the last time I saw him in person, because it wasn't long after that it seems that he got diagnosed and I left to go away for school. We still kept in touch online but when he got sicker, he stopped signing on and we didn't talk much. 

I will carry with me always the regret I feel at not knowing how little time left I had with him. I would give anything to give him one last hug, to tell him I love him, to ask him what new songs I should be listening to, to let him tell me about good new movies I should watch, or just to hear him ask me how I am doing today and that he hopes I am doing well. If he were here today, I would squeeze him and never let go. I'd probably joke with him that his favorite band has become a source of a lot of laughter and joking in the music world (Nickelback). I'd watch Finding Nemo with him again, because that was the last movie I watched with him, and I can still remember him quietly singing "Just keep swimming" beside me as we laughed at the movie. And I would definitely ask him how he is doing and tell him that I hope he is doing well.


Jeffrey, I miss you every day. You will forever be one the best friends I have ever had, and I will never forget the way you always cared for me, the way you were always happy, the way you never let stuff get you down, or the gentle way you held my hand or hugged me. Every day since you've passed six years ago, we have all felt a void. But there is also peace, because if there was ever a soul bound for Heaven, it was yours. I know you are smiling, laughing, listening to your favorite music, watching your Georgia bulldogs play football, and being the amazing person you are in Heaven, where I promise I will again see you one day. I love you.        

"I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go"


Love always,
Becky  
   

6 years ago on April 10,2009, Jeffrey lost his 18 month battle with cancer.  I never realized what an amazing young man he had become until he got sick.  He wasn't worried about himself because he knew he would be Heaven bound soon. He was always asking the 3 of us if we were okay and I was not allowed to cry around him unless I wanted to be in his doghouse.  Needless to say, I stayed in the doghouse most of the time. 
Family and friends stepped in to help through prayers, calling updates to family and friends when we got new information about his illness, donating money to help with the bills and to help pay for my meals because if Jeffrey was in the hospital, I was too because I didn't leave until he was discharged.  I needed to be the one providing his nursing care and the oncology floor (10 West) at University Hospital allowed me to do everything except administer his medications.  They were amazing and I love them all. 
During his illness, Jeffrey developed a special and amazing friendship with Rudy Heath (as far as we know, not related to mama's family). We  met Rudy and his wife, Brenda, at Clearwater First Baptist Church years ago.  When Rudy started visiting Jeffrey at the hospital he could get Jeffrey to do the things that Dr. Townsend had ordered, such as,his laps around the hallways and even eat at times.  He gave Jeffrey a very special gift..Georgia Bulldog gloves to help Jeffrey stop picking at his hands and fingernails (Anxiety led Jeffrey to pick at his hands and fingers creating open sores.) More than anything else, he became a grandfather to Jeffrey.  He gave Jeffrey the love and attention that he needed and I feel that he helped to prolong Jeffrey's life by giving him the unconditional love that he desired so desperately.  Rudy and Brenda Heath are Angels on earth and we love them both greatly.  Sammy Turner came with Rudy when he could and gave Jeffrey a lot of support and encouragement. 
I could go on and on naming those that inspired Jeffrey to fight, but my room is limited.  If I failed to mention your name, please know that we love and appreciate each and every person that came to see Jeffrey, prayed for Jeffrey's healing, etc.  
Our devastion continues, but it helps when others share their memories of Jeffrey with us.  We will never forget the multitudes of people that showed their concern and love for our son, whether it was through prayer, monetary donations, visits, bringing meals to the house, and everything else that I may have omitted.

All of our love,

Laura, Ricky, Nikki, and Dagan (Dagan is Nikki's husband-they got married on July 5, 2014 and have given us 2 grand-dogs)       

I know that it has been almost 6 years since Jeffrey's death, but it seems that the pain remains the same.  Please share anything you remember about Jeffrey.  It brings me happiness just knowing that our loving son made an impact on your life.  I want Nikki and Dagan's children to know about their Uncle Jeffrey and they can only know about him through our memories. Thank you to those that care enough to take the time to share.

Love to all,

Laura    

One afternoon, I was making Jeffrey's hospital bed in the den downstairs and my "rear end" kept knocking things over on his table and the bookshelf. Out of the blue he started singing "Daddy likes big butts...."  Years before I would have been mad, but it is one of my favorite memories from his last days.  He was so sick, but still had his sense of humor and felt good enough to sing for me. Probably, the only time he sang to me in his entire life.  Oh, just to hear that voice and see that smile again....I can't wait for that day to come and I believe it will be soon because this world can't continue on this path and God not bring us home.


MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN TO A LITTLE BIT OF THE SONG :)