Our letter to Payton written 2 years ago. I read this at his celebration of life:
Dear Payton,
On August 23rd, 2009, the day we were blessed with your precious soul, we had no idea what an imprint you would leave on this earth, in the hearts of so many.
The memories you gave us will forever be embedded in our hearts and minds. Anytime we see someone with big beautiful brown eyes, we will think of you. Anytime we see or hear of someone being kind, you will cross our minds. We will feel sad, empty, and we will feel like giving up sometimes. But we will not give up. We will live our lives to the fullest we can, and we will do it for you. We promise you we will do things in your memory. We will go camping for you, and tell stories about you around the fire. We will go to baseball games, and remember how fast you were. We promise you we will not forget how to laugh and be silly.
Although our home will feel so empty without you, we will carry on your funny personality and jokester ways. You taught us so many things, like how to be strong, even when you feel the weakest. You taught us how to love, not just any kind of love, but the deepest, kindest, most gentle kind of love. You had the biggest heart of any 7 year old we’ve ever known.
Over the past 6 months so many have told us that we were so strong. The truth is, you were our strength.
You’ve made people hold their children tighter. You have shown people not to take life for granted. We hope you and papa are having the time of your lives. We know how much you missed him. Now you are the lucky one. You are free from your pain in the most beautiful place in the whole world.
Payton Michael Dennis, you will always be a superhero to so many, Daddy’s best buddy, Mommy’s sweet boy, and the best brother in the whole world. You are now forever 7 in Heaven baby boy. We will miss you every day, until wee meet again and you can show us how amazing Heaven is. We love you more. Love. Daddy & Mommy
Photo: The reality of Payton being gone had not yet set in.
Payton Strong 