A great quote....

"Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering to fly."

Thank you to all our friends and family for being there for us. We may be a bit frazzled and not get back to you right away, but we love you for your phone calls, e-mails and cards. They remind us to keep flying.

A wonderful celebration of Mason's life

On Saturday, we drove back to DC. In the afternoon, we had Mason's Celebration of Life service. We shared stories about Mason, read letters from Mom and Dad and Francisca, shared the slide show of his life, ate his favorite foods, filled in stars that told what we were going to do in honor of Mason's life and planted an oak tree.

The service was so beautiful and the kids brought so much to it. Sean and Ciara, friends of Mason, read two books. Mason's soccer coaches shared their thoughts about him, and our friends from overseas did as well.

It was a gorgeous day, sunny and crisp. With the leaves changing it was really beautiful. After the service, the kids played soccer and released a lot of energy. It was wonderful.

We went to the DC United game afterward with family and friends.

We will post the video from the service if we can, and some photos as well. The pictures really do tell a wonderful story of how much Mason was loved.

Mateo last night said to Mom "So many people have helped us" I said "yes that's right we are really lucky to have such good friends" He said- "yes we are."

Thank you to everyone who came, who helped, who organized, who spoke - so many of you.

Many people have asked how are we even able to stand and function. It is our friends and family who are holding us up with their love and support. We could not be functioning without all of you caring for us.

Saying Goodbye...

On Friday, we laid Mason's body to rest at West Point. It was a rainy cloudy day. Tears from heaven, I guess. I know we had prepared for this moment in our hearts and minds but living it is another story. So many people came to the service. It made the nightmare of this moment bearable in some way. People were holding us up in their love and support.

He was brought in the chapel by the West Point Honor Guard. A fitting tribute to a little boy who fought so hard to stay with us.

We shared a montage of photos of Mason's life. We had lovely readings and wonderful music. Mason and Mateo's cousins sat on either side of Mateo and held him through the service. We will post the program for those who could not be with us and we will try to share the montage, but the file was so huge iI am not sure we can do it.

As we began to lay flowers at the gravesite, there was a thunder clap and the rain started to really pour down. Our sorrow was reflected in the weather. But I also believe he let us know he was up there making some noise! It was comforting to know he was laid to rest with Kirk's dad and at West Point. It is such a honorable place full of tradition, strength and valor. The right place for Mason to be laid to rest.

Thank you for so many coming to share our grief and love us and hug us when there were no words.

The journey begins

We brought Mason's body to New York today. We decided to take him ourselves- as Kirk appropriately said- it is our son and we will take him the whole way on his journey, not a stranger. We all went to the funeral home together and saw him again. Mateo was with us and he wanted the soccer shirts to go in with Mason. He helped guide Mason's casket to the car- and helped lift it in. We had originally planned for Mateo to go in the other car but he emphatically wanted to come with us. He put his ear to the casket and said he heard Mason trying to get out. On the trip, he laid his hand on top of the casket that was next to him and fell asleep lying next to his brother. It is these moments that bring us to our knees. But we have let Mateo show us his way- and his way is a beautiful sweet, loving one for his brother. He gets angry once in awhile and has some insights that are a bit left field, but we validate them and help him through this as best we can.

Again, I think we learn alot from the kids and their example of just being in the moment and sharing and living it to the fullest. We are preparing for the service tomm. I think it will the hardest for us and we will lay to rest his physical body. So final- the end of his body's journey.

Thank you to all who are helping with the service Saturday. We are ready to celebrate the good times and his sweet laughter. This is the right way to do this for us.

Some help for the service needed Saturday....

The wonderful friends who are organizing the service for us have asked friends and family to provide little stories about Mason to share during the service. If you want to share something, please e-mail mybigbrain@yahoo.com Also I am sure they could use any extra hands.

Everyone has been so wonderful and it has really helped us to get all your e-mails and hugs to get through this tough first week without Mason. It may take us awhile to respond but we do appreciate it.

The viewing

Thanks to the many, many folks who came to see Mason for the last time. He looked wonderful, at peace. Your support is overwhelming. Folks from as far as Vermont and Florida, and some folks very special to Kirk who he hadn't seen for 20 years.

Thanks especially to the little ones for making such beautiful drawings for Mason. We are glad all his little friends had a chance to say goodbye.

Remembrances of Mason

Mason's Kindergarden teacher, David Henderson, has set up a site where folks can write their remembrances of Mason: http://masonleachinourlives.blogspot.com/

If you are so inclined, feel free to leave your memories and thoughts about Mason there.