jahvi's unveiling

yesterday our family was honoured to attend jahvis's unveiling party with all his friends and family. 

jahvis is my friends nephew, and two years ago, when he was just 6 years old, he passed away from leukemia. his father chris, is samoan and so keeping in their tradition, a year after a persons passing, their headstone on their grave is unveiled, as family and friends celebrate their life. in this case, his parents weren't ready when the year mark approached, so they took another year to prepare and the celebrations were amazing!

jahvis' mum serena and dad chris have both remarried and the four parents get along beautifully, they spoke together at the start of the night before we were treated to a huge dinner (including lots of delicious samoan food, doug was in heaven...) games and arts and crafts for the kids (including two giant bouncing castles outside) a photobooth (that's where i came in!) a photo tribute... and heaps of dances. what an amazing day!

 

there were so many people working together to make sure the day ran smoothly, including those who helped to decorate and serve the food, not one thing was left undone! it all ran so smoothly and was absolutely perfect.

jahvi's mum serena and her husband mark hamming it up in the photobooth

jahvi's dad chris and older sister kavana (above)

and (below) with his wife francine

at the end of the evening, everyone at the party was asked to join hands and move together in a giant circle to one of jahvi's favourite songs and then dance altogether. jahvi loved, more than anything else, to dance and i know it would have made him so happy to see so many people he loved, and who loved him, happy together, celebrating his life, instead of being sad that he wasn't with us. there was so much love in that room and i felt so happy to be there, being able to capture those moments for his family. i loved it. ♥ thank you to serena + mark and chris + zina for letting me be a part of jahvi's big day. xx

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and two more pictures of good luck, mel and aitu's little girl ngawai was part of a hula group to honour her cousin and i cannot keep this picture to myself. isn't she just a doll?!

and of course... my boys in the photo booth. how i love them both ♥

(maddie was m.i.a. on the bouncing castle for hours, which is why i do not have a single picture of her to share... she had the time of her life!)

farewell to jahvis

today i attended the funeral of this beautiful little boy. jahvis collins. such a gorgeous little boy, full of life and personality, but taken at the young age of 6. he had suffered from very aggressive leukemia for quite some time - endured so much, but is now in the arms of a loving and kind father in heaven. we know jahvi's aunt and uncle from church, who introduced us to his beautiful family. it has been a long and hard road for them - and i know they have found comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and can rest in sweet peace.

there was a sea of green clothes, jahvi's favourite colour - beautiful words spoken and songs sung - including an amazing tribute from his big sister kavana - before she joined her mum and step-dad serena and mark to sing teach me to walk in the light. i don't think there would have been a dry eye in the church - so many people were weeping openly for this young boy who touched the lives of everyone he knew. with his big eyes and amazing smile - to know jahvis was to love him!

our love and condolences are at this time with serena and mark - as well as his father chris and his family. he may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. 

I'll lend you for a little time,
A child of mine, God said.
For you to love him while he lives,
And mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty- two or three...
But will you, til I call him back,
Take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you,
And should his stay be brief-
You'll have his lovely memories
As solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there-
I want this child to learn.

I've looked the whole world over,
In my search for teachers true-
And from the throngs that crowd life's lane,
I have selected you.

So will you give him all your love?
Nor think the labour vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call-
To take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say...
Dear Lord thy will be done.
For all the joys thy child shall bring-
The risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for him,
Much sooner than we'd planned...
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes-
And try to understand.
-Author Unknown