She was so small, but her influence was so great. Her life was short, but the memory of her is long."

Grace Avery Chez went home to be with the Lord on January 9, 2008. Her strength and perseverance was shown through her everyday life, but it was her ever present smile that will leave an indelible mark on us all. She was the most amazing soul we have ever known and we are comforted to know that the same little girl that we held so tight is now in the Kingdom of God.

Our sweet little princess

Dear sweet precious Gracie,

It’s hard to believe that today marks the third year that you went to be with Jesus. It’s so difficult to think from this moment forward you will have been gone longer than you were here with us. Our heart aches for you today as it did the day you left us. Time and time again mommy and daddy yearn to just hold you and smell your baby soft skin, to tuck you into to bed as we sing you your favorite song, to see your beautiful smiley face or just to hear the sound of your laughter. Often we talk about the fact that we would give anything just to hear your little feet running into our bedroom followed by you jumping up in bed with us for morning snuggles. We miss you so much it hurts. This Christmas as mommy went up to get the decorations down I looked over and saw your Christmas gifts that you received just 14 days before you left. I remember perfectly, how you dressed up in your princess clothes and shoes, had mommy sit on your new tea table and you poured us our tea. If only I would of known what was to come, I would of sat there all day.

"blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" Matthew 5:4

Although, time has passed, it still pulls at our heart strings sometimes when we see Luke playing by himself. We know he is fine, but you two were so inseparable, the way you played together was amazing to witness. The love and laughter you shared will never be forgotten. Luke still talks about you and every now and then he will tell me about a make believe story he made up, sure enough you are in every one of them. He also continues to pray about you every night, especially asking God to give you a big hug and kiss, but we are guessing you already know all this.

As for your sister Abbey, you would just adore her because she loves everything you loved. Although you are different you are the same in so many ways. We can’t help to imagine how you would of been together.

We know it is not healthy for us to think about all the what could of beens or the, “I wonder if’s,” but sometimes we fall short and we do go to that place. We wonder if you would of loved to take ballet, would of loved art, or would it of been sports you would of loved? We can’t help to wonder what you would of been like at 5, how school would of been and so much more...when we find ourselves in this place we do our best to remember the truth, and the truth is no matter what you would of done here on earth with us, we know what you are doing above in the presence of God supersedes anything and everything you would of done here with us.

We are all so very blessed that God chose you to be in our lives. You will always be one of our greatest blessings. It was through your life that we have been saved. You have brought us to a place where Heaven is not just a place in the sky and a far away thought, it has become our reality, to be in the presence of God in eternity with you is in our thoughts daily. Through you we have learned to become completely reliant on God, we continue to be on our knees asking for His compassion and grace. Although, we cannot comprehend why He chose to take you so soon, we do our best to “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 Living this life without you here breaks our hearts, but we continue to trust in God’s ultimate plan and we are letting Him mend our hearts with His perfect peace.

We miss you sweet Gracie girl.....

Although those she left behind feel the pain of sorrow and loss and shed many tears we are comforted with God’s infinite grace, mercy, compassion and peace. Most importantly we can be comforted with knowing, Gracie did not loose her life, but rather she has gained eternal life.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" but God has revealed it to us by his spirit." We will continue on our path to eternity and we cannot wait until we are all in His presence together. See you soon our sweet girl.