Hello to all who continue to journey with us!

Please take a look at some new pictures we added to the site. The pictures represent a true look at who Faith was and how the disease transformed her outer physical look but never her inner beautiful spirit.
Towards the last 6 months of Faith’s life, we had to carry her in our arms because the tumor crippled her little body. Today, she holds us in her arms to write this update. Forgive us for not updating on a monthly basis as we said we would. When we use to update this site, it was to inform all of you of how Faith was doing. It was about her…not us.
It has taken us 6 ½ months to face the reality that she’s gone from this earth and not ever coming back. At times, it feels like she’s away somewhere and she’ll be back (though she never was away from us for more than a day or two). We were always together. It’s hard to explain the feeling to those of you whom never lost a child and we pray you never do. We pray that your child/children will bury you first. When mothers and/or fathers get to eternal life in Heaven, you will then have the joyous opportunity of welcoming your child; just like you welcomed them to life here on earth. Isn’t that supposed to be the normal cycle of life? Not always.
While the loss we feel tells us that she died too early, a little too soon, the faith we share, tells us that her life has not ended, she just got to where we all hope to be before us. She is now ready to welcome us to our Father’s house when our job is done here on earth. Faith, more than any of us has fought the good fight. She has run the race and has now crossed the finish line claiming as her own Jesus’ victory over sin, fear and death.

There are times when each of us looks at the empty chair at the kitchen table, the empty seat in the car, the empty bedroom which was once occupied by Faith and her many belongings, the family photo of 3 instead of 4 and we well up with tears. Through our tears, we look up and remember that Faith is tugging on the hem of Jesus’ robe and smiling that irresistible smile, which  unlocks the door of His heart, and lead Him to say the words, we all long to hear at the end of our life’s journey: "my child, everything I have is yours." 

There is an oversized hole in our hearts and lives, that used to be occupied by Faith’s physical presence, but as we are learning to understand, holes have there uses. They give us opportunities, to fill them back up. Sometimes we fill holes with trees, flowers, swimming pools, foundations for buildings, etc. They’re necessary if things are to grow and build. Though, we didn’t ask for this particular hole in our lives, we do owe it to ourselves, Faith and God to fill it with life. We’re trying day by day to do so.  

We lost our daughter but we were extremely blessed to have had 13 months of quality one on one time to build the memories, relationships, and friendships that comfort us today. On the other hand, the one on one time we were able to experience with Faith makes her physical absence seem so much more poignant. So, we look to each other and focus on what we have and the blessings that we’ve been given. We are trying to get focused and prepared on the mission to continue Faith’s fight against the hideous brain stem tumor that took her life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to
   Dr. Sharon Gardner and Jeffrey Allen, M.D. of NYU http://hassenfeld.med.nyu.edu,
   Maya Manley of the Making Headway Foundation www.makingheadway.org click on news and events and you’ll see a picture of "Ms. Maya” (as Faith use to say) and Faith,
   Steve Czech of  the Mikey Czech Foundation www.mikeyczech.org and
   Nancy Goodman of  www.kidsvcancer.org
for giving us time to heal, yet, keeping us up-to-date, calling, e-mailing and waiting for the green light meaning “we’re ready to continue the fight!”       

Everyone reading this update, you may not feel whips on your backs or nails in your hands, as Jesus did. Your suffering comes in the loss of loved ones, loss of health, homes, jobs, wayward kids, etc. Our comfort, encouragement, and strength came from God’s word-The Bible! Our belief in eternal life was the only coping tool, the only prescription needed and taken to deal with Faith’s diagnosis, treatments and her death. Often times we find ourselves asking Jesus and God the Father, "Do you know how many people would have come to believe in You if Faith had only been healed and restored by you?” Why did all who had the faith and courage to ask You for healing in the gospels receive that blessing and not our daughter?” Well, we don’t know the answers to our questions and we probably will not until our day comes. However, we are slowly finding peace with the outcome. The question being asked now is not “why wasn’t Faith healed?”, BUT “God, what plans do You have for us now?”.

We’re sure we’ll have those feelings and thoughts sporadically…for a while. At those moments, we'll pray, keep the faith and grace to turn to God who always has the light on for us and just ask Him to hold and love us.

The hole/void in our hearts and home that we feel everyday at this very moment in time, is overwhelming. However, our solace comes from knowing that Faith has battled the war and completed the journey that God set before her. As parents, we accept children lovingly from God. He sends them to us and charges us with the responsibility of teaching them about Him, so that they know, love and serve Him. We are proud to say, that thanks to our Faith…we accomplished that with her and will follow the same for her little brother Elijah.  

We want to thank each of you for being a part of our family and our battle. Thank you for listening to our needs and tending to them, for keeping vigil with us as we traveled the road that God prepared for Faith.
To our church Calvary Chapel and St. Bonaventure: you shepherd an extraordinary flock that reflects the generosity and love that exists in our hearts today.
To our many communities, PA, NJ, and NY and of course, SOUTH FLA, your support has been and continues to be amazing and we are eternally grateful.

Our story and Faith’s story will continue on. We hope that her life which meant so much to all of us will carry you through, your life’s journey. Thank you all for helping us send her home.
May God continue to bless you and may you continue to sharpen your eyes of faith to recognize each blessing for what it is and who sent it to you.

With Faith in our hearts, all whom have passed on, all who have been diagnosed with cancer or any other hideous disease and especially all whom continue their fight, WE LOVE YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU DAILY!!!

GOD BLESS,

The Griffin’s

Charles, Sonia, Elijah and Faith in spirit!!!