In Loving Memory Of
Schuyler Dayle Raiford
June 15, 1997 - May 8, 1999
Like a comet, Schuyler entered our world as a wonderful surprise. She shone ever so brightly for an all too brief period of time, and then without warning she quickly passed over the horizon and out of our vision.
But I know that when it is my time to cross that horizon, I’ll see that sparkling, brightly shining little angel Schuyler all fully healed and perfectly formed once again, and I’ll hear her sweet little voice greeting me with “Hey, Papa, hey! Hold me Papa, hold me!”
From Schuyler's eulogy delivered by Norm Raiford, Schuyler's Grandbuddy,
May 13, 1999
“Two Grandbuddies”
You
called me “Pa-Pa,” and oh what fun we had.
In
your short life of 22 months,
You
taught me how to be a granddad.
You
greeted each morning with an expression that said,
“Oh
boy, Pa-pa. What adventures await
us today?”
And
then you’d jump out of that bed!
Choosing
your clothes was quite a chore.
For
you had your special notions of what to wear.
From
head to toe your combinations were never a bore!
Off
to the kitchen for breakfast we’d go.
“Cheerios,
oatmeal or waffles, which will it be, Sweet One?” I’d ask.
When
finished, “All done!” you’d say, your signal for “Let’s get on with
the show!”
“Wanna
play outside, Pa-pa?” you’d ask
with a grin.
You’d
take my hand as we headed towards the door.
And
then our daily adventures would begin.
We
dug in the garden. Through mud
puddles we ran fast.
And
yes, those carefully chosen clothes quickly became a mess.
No
matter. We two grandbuddies were
having a blast!
Rides
in the stroller or on the back of the bike gave you a thrill.
Your
giggles were sheer music as we rolled and pedaled.
We
sailed along even on frosty days not minding at all the chill.
Back
home we’d clean up and then go read storybooks.
Your
curious eyes followed every word.
And
on your beautiful face always were such sweet looks.
No
matter the messes we had made or a house that looked unkept.
That
was the price of the fun we’d had.
It
was during naptime that I would clean up while you sweetly slept.
And
then came the accident.
In
a split second our happy world turned upside down and inside out.
My
heart was horribly, irreparably rent.
With
all its monstrous cruelty, death stole you, precious child.
And
part of me died along with you.
“Surely
this did not happen, surely you’ll be back in a little while.”
It
all happened so fast. There was no
chance to say goodbye.
Death
has no mercy, no grace.
It
allows no answer to the inevitable question of, “Why? Oh Why?”
Precious
child, you had become the light of my life.
And
on that fateful day, the light became darkness.
My
very soul went through unbearable strife.
You,
sweet granddaughter, had brought out the best in me.
Your
gifts of love will enrich my life forever.
Our
happy times struggle against sorrow in my memory.
You,
sweet child, were one of a kind.
And
so, to you precious Schuyler, I say a heartfelt “thank you.”
Please
know you are never, never out of my mind.
Schuyler,
I’ll always hug you tight in my heart.
Though
your body is gone and mine grows old,
Our
spirits will never be far apart.
You
had my love then, and you’ll have it for always.
God
bless you, sweet Schuyler, my precious little one.
Til we meet once again, I count the days.
Much love,
Your “Pa-pa”
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