My grandson, Landen Patrick Fournier (pronounced Forn-yay), a blessing of 3 years-55 days, was given his angel wings on Thursday, November 21, 2013, 956am, while in his mommy's arms, with his family beside him. Landen was born on September 27, 2010, in Fort Worth, Texas, a gift from God and a radiant light that continues to shine brightly in our hearts. L is survived by his parents-Brian Fournier and Kaitlyn Holloway; grandparents-Pat and Debbie 'GiGi' Fournier, John 'Papa'and Angela 'Ganma' Holloway, Uncles-Brenan 'Buh' Holloway and Chris 'Cuh' Fournier; Great grandparents, Anna 'Tottie' and Barry 'Pappy' Holloway, Suzanne and Dale Jackson, Lawrence Porter and Emily Hall; numerous other beloved aunts and uncles, extended family members and friends.

L and I used to hunt for rolly pollys, grass snakes, ants and lizards. We loved faking our sleep by making snoring sounds (Zzzz Shooo, Zzzz Shooo). During this time, my days off were Sunday/Monday so Monday was my day to have Landen over while his mom worked. He loved the smell of coffee and we would drink coffee and eat Corn Flakes/Cocoa Puffs cereal together with toast. I would bring home huge cardboard boxes for him to crawl through and make tunnels. We made forts out of couch cushions and blankets. We'd go for walks and I would pull him in our red Radio Flyer wagon, the wagon his mom used as a kid. He always pointed up at the big US flag waving in front of the complex. He never learned to walk so his old stroller still came in handy when we went shopping. We always went to the toy section. I wanted to cry when he wanted something and I didn't have the money. We went to Toys R Us and he found the toy lawn mower that shot out bubbles when you pushed it. Of course, we had to leave it behind. His mom got him a 3 foot tall, round castle that we loved to take naps in. He loved our cat, Bear (your typical Halloween cat-all black with yellow eyes). They would cuddle together during nap time. We loved brushing our teeth together. He loved water, too. Even though he could never learn to swim, he loved going to the pool, playing in the waterfall that flowed into the main pool. Even though Landen was still growing, he never really understand what was happening to him. He would always watch others walk around and he would try to stand up but didn't have the strength. I always wonder what he would've grown up to be. He didn't have enough time to find his passion, his love for doing certain things for himself that would carry on into adulthood.

August 20, 2012 A day of infamy I can't forget...

Of course it was Monday. We had him all day which never seemed enough time. It was about 130pm. His Ganma (my wife, Angela), Landen and myself lied down for a nap on our love seat that made out into a small bed. I recall laying beside Landen, talking to him as he lied down between us. I noticed his eyes half closed and he was gritting his teeth. I asked Ganma to look at his face. I knew something was wrong. I told her it looked like he was having a seizure. Landen was not responding to my voice as he began to shake. I told Ganma to call 911. As she was on the phone, Landen just layed there, trembling, like he was cold. I called my daughter, his mother, who was at work and told her what was happening. When the ambulance arrived, staff rolled the stretcher into our living room. The paramedics placed him on the stretcher and transported him to the ambulance. They told me it was ok if I wanted to ride along with Landen. I've never seen anyone so small as him lying on that big stretcher. The 15 minute ride to the hospital seemed like an hour. I've never felt so helpless. I just kept talking to him, hoping he would stop seizing and start talking to me. Upon arrival at Cook Children's Hospital, it was a nightmare, with staff scrambling to get him inside. I know when he got into the Triage room there had to be 10 nurses and several doctors, each doing their part trying to help him...Every August 20th, this runs though my head. If the years ahead seem to have a day missing, with only 364 days, you'll know why...This was the beginning of 3 trips to the hospital, each one having him in the ICU, several weeks each time, finally reaching his diagnosis in October. Getting the diagnosis from his neurologist, Dr. Keator, and hearing how he had only about a year to live I just don't have any words for.

'Alpers' took my Landen away. Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (AHS) is a rare and severe form of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome characterized by the triad of progressive developmental regression, intractable seizures and hepatic failure (liver failure). It affects the muscles, liver and brain, causing seizures, loss of strength, blindness, deafness and dementia (in that order of progression). He never gained the strength to walk on his own, speaking few words. He began to regress at age 2 and within his last month, he had physically declined to a mere infant, losing total strength, unable to eat or drink the last 2 weeks of his life. We were told when your body starts to shut down, you don't think of those things. They say hearing is the last to go and I hope on his last day that he could hear us tell him how much we love him and will miss him.

The Heavens welcomed him home long before his time to leave. I know, now, he's doing what he always wished he could do-walking, running, talking, flying...touching the moon.

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A Letter From Heaven

When tomorrow starts without me,

And I'm not here to see,

If the sun should rise and find your

Eyes, filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry,

The way you did today,

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you,

And each time you think of me,

I know you'll miss me, too.

When tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me,

I'm right there in your heart.

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I heard you take your first breath, and felt you take your last. You heard my heart beat for you before anything else and that's what you heard last.

You felt my arms around you first and felt my arms around you last.

We were each other's beginning and I was your ending.

I am still here, having to live without you and wondering what would have been.

You've been home for almost 10 years now and one day we'll be together again...at last.

If I can't have you in my arms, I suppose I'll have to let the Angels have you until then....

From Kait-Landen's mommy

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"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." ~Matthew 19:14~

"And then it shall come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care and sorrow."

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My song for you, my love....

Little Patriot

Of all the things you had

The one that made you glad

Was to wave your flag

Knowing what the colors mean

And every one who made us free

Remains…a mystery…

As we strolled together and we'd pass one by

I could see it in your eyes

You wanted to say, 'Look, Pa Pa!'

From the yard and through the trees

You could see God's banner flying with ease…

Little one, little one, the hero of our hearts

A Patriot of our lives

You are free to walk, run and fly

Waitin' for us to arrive…

Recalling your embrace of love, every kiss and hug

is etched on our hearts

As a soldier using his strength and all

You fought to the end beside the Angels on the wall…

Little one, little one, the hero of our hearts

A Patriot of our lives

You are free to walk, run and fly

Waitin' for us to arrive.

Your Papa

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"If ever there comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever" ~ Winnie the Pooh...

"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in our heart."

"There is an empty space you once embraced" ~John-Landen's Papa...

As I sit in Heaven

And watch you every day

I try to let you know with signs

You never went away

I hear you when you're laughing

And watch you as you sleep

I even place my arms around you

To calm you as you weep

I see you wish the days away

Begging to have me home

So I try to send you signs

So you know you are not alone

Don't feel guilty that you have life

That was denied to me

Heaven is truly beautiful

Just you wait and see

So live your life, laugh again

Enjoy yourself, be free

Then I know with every breath you take

You'll be taking one for me

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Dear Earthly Angel Visitors,

Here's a few of my favorite things: big hugs, US flags, balloons, pinwheels, Angels, bees, sunflowers, the Moon, Elmo, my castle fort, anything chocolate-mainly Kit Kats, M&Ms, scrambled eggs w/ketchup, green beans w/Ranch dressing, chicken nuggets, corn flakes & cocoa puffs, Blue Bell Cookie Cones, orange Tic Tacs and coffee w/cream & sugar (yummy!). My favorite songs are 'You Are My Sunshine' sung by Gene Autry and 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. My mommy and I sang these together. I also loved to pretend I was sleeping & make snoring sounds. My Papa and I used to find rolly pollys, snails, ants and grass snakes together.

I thank my neurologists, Dr. Cynthia Keator and Dr. Alice Basinger. I'm so glad Cook Childrens Hospital's Palliative Care team and Vitas Hospice team-Kelli Baker and Destani Erwin were there for me to make my life easier as my end drew near.

My love and big hugs to everyone who leaves a kind word or token on my page and a special thank you to the ones who visit every day, even though life gets so busy. Each loving tribute touches my Papa's heart...

Also, feel free to visit my special cousin, Rocky, my special angel friend, Bubba, who rests about 13 feet from my place, my tiny angel friends, Princess, who was called home early like me and Hannah who was born at Texas Health Harris Methodist Southwest Fort Worth hospital like me and Matthew who also endured so much and has the coolest headstone designed by his daddy...

My love to you all, L...