● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
A LOVING TRIBUTE ♥¸.•*´¯♥
(¯`•♥•´¯)☆ ♥ FOR THIS
*`•.¸(¯`•♥•´¯)¸.•♥♥ BELOVED
☆ º ` `•.¸.•´ « ♥♥ SPECIAL
... ♫ ♥¸.•*´¯♥ ❤ ANGEL
(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`♥`*•.¸
♥ •●۰FOREVER LOVED & MISSED۰●• ♥¸.•*´¯♥
★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ ° ★ . * . .. • ○ ° ★ . • ○ ° ★ ° .Austin • ★ ° . . ☾ °☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :. . • ○ ° ★ • ★ ° . . Son ☾ °☆. * . . ° . Brother ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. ● . ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. . • ○ ° ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ . Grandson * . . ¸ . ° ★ ¸. * ● ¸ . ° ☾ ° ¸. ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ Uncle . ° . • ○ ° ★ . *Cousin . ☾ ° ¸. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ¸. ★ ° . • ★ °. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ★ ° ☾ ☆ Friend¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * . ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :.Classmate . • ○ ° . * . . ° . ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. • ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ °
☆.*★ Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,
but rather openings where our loved ones
shine through to let us know they are safe and happy ★.*☆¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
Austin Thomas Elder, 19, of Fort Smith, died December 14, 2012 in Springfield, MO. He was born September 2, 1993 in Fort Smith to Danny R. Elder and Gina Michele Angeletti Elder. He was a graduate of Southside High School where he was passionate about football and was a 7A All Region Defensive Back. He was a member of the SHS Rebel Football, The Native American Tribesman, The Earth Club, UFO Club, Disc Golf Club and the Extreme Outdoor Enthusiasts. He spent a lot of his time camping out, hiking, taking photos of sunsets, and looking at the stars.
Austin had just finished his first semester at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
He was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 11 years old. He loved his family and friends unconditionally; he was very loyal and had many many friends. His loyalty and his love were an inspiration to all who knew him. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved nature.
He is survived by his mother, Gina Angeletti Elder, his father, Danny Elder of Fort Smith; one sister, Brittany and husband Matt Przybysz of Fort Smith; maternal grandparents, Tom and Wanda Clayton of Fort Smith and Floyd and Freda Angeletti of Benton, AR. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Theo and Louise Elder.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Grand Avenue Baptist Church with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Alex Bare, Zachery Elder, Mathias Elder, Thaddeus Elder, Coach Williams, and Coach Fimple.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Abe Artaga, Walt Blythe, Nathan Bolton, Drew Comer, Jake Childress, Adam Fitts, Thomas Hanna, Matt Hartstein, Adam Lucus, Alex Mann, Sam Snyder, and Chris Villafranca.
● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
UAFS Student Injured In Fall Declared Brain Dead; Former Teammates Praise Him
By Kevin Taylor
Times Record [email protected]
A University of Fort Smith student who fell off a bluff early Saturday was declared brain dead Thursday.
Austin Elder, 19, was declared brain dead Thursday at a Springfield, Mo., hospital following complications from his fall of 100 feet off Hawksbill Crag, a bluff overlooking a large canyon in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area in Newton County, early Saturday.
Southside football coaches confirmed Elder's family has decided to keep him on life support until he's transported to St. Louis, where his organs will go to those in need of transplants.
According to a Thursday afternoon post on the "Prayers for Austin Elder" Facebook page, Elder chose to be an organ donor when he renewed his driver's license. "He was adamant that he wanted to be a donor," the post states. "That conversation was part of God's perfect plan. Austin fell 100 feet, but God used that small maple tree to keep his organs from being damaged so he could save 5 to 8 other people. We have so much to say to all of you, but may not get them said today. We can't tell you how much we love you all and we thank you for allowing God to use you all to bless this family."
Elder was a former Southside football player who played defensive back.
"It's hard to talk about," Southside coach Jeff Williams said. "He's a special young man. One thing around here, we have a football family, and when you lose one of the family it's hard on everybody."
"He was the kid that I think every coach enjoys seeing," Southside assistant football coach Keith Fimple said. "Because of his physical stature, people were always telling him there's no way you can play. When you see the success on the field, it melts your heart."
The 5-6, 150-pound Elder was what Fimple described as a "typical Rebel football player."
"I saw him get hit by a quarterback at West Memphis one night (2010) and he bounced up like a rubber ball," Fimple said. "He's the type of kid we have around here. People told him he couldn't do it, but he always found a way. He started 16 football games and never allowed a touchdown pass (to the receiver he was covering). Amazing."
"He was the littlest kid on the football field, yet he played with the biggest heart, there's no other way to describe it," Williams said. "He comes by the office about every two weeks to see us."
Elder was a student at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
"My sophomore year we went to West Memphis and he got decapitated by their quarterback on a reverse," Southside senior Garrett Wolfe said. "It was one of the hardest high school hits I ever saw. He laid there for about five minutes and he was back on the field a few plays later."
Ramsey coach nicknamed Elder and former Rebel teammate Dylan Reynolds the "mighty mites" when they were in the seventh grade. The nickname stuck, Reynolds said.
"Austin and I earned the nickname 'mighty mites' from coach (Prewitt), and ever since on the football field we were a pair," Reynolds said.
Fimple believes Elder, who had gone to camp with Thomas Hanna, might have been disoriented by the fog. The accident is believed to have happened about 2:30 a.m. while he and Hanna were looking at the stars.
Hanna went for help and authorities couldn't get to Elder until 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to the "Prayers" Facebook page, Elder suffered two strokes Wednesday that left him without brain function.
"Austin impacted me when I was a senior and he was a sophomore," former Rebel Spencer Tooley said. "We both played receiver and I got the pleasure of seeing him quite often. He really stood out to me; you could just tell he was a good person to be around. He was inspiring to those around him."
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On Dec 14, with his parents on either side of him, each holding one of his hands, the ventilator was unhooked and as Austin took his last breath as they sang, "Jesus Loves Me"
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong—
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
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April 29, 2013
"Austin's mom added this to her Facebook page about her precious Austin, along with the pictures of the family on the Hawksbill Crag and at the tree that slowed Austin's fall. Both pictures were taken in the last few days."
When you have a son who is all boy, fearless and adventurous, like Austin, you feel the need to discuss his safety. I always told him at the end of such conversations, "you know that I can't live without you." He always laughed and would say, "Mom, nothing is going to happen to me and I will always be here for you." Of course, I never thought he would ever actually die. I just felt better when he reassured me he was being careful. I have been told by his friends that he was always careful on their adventures. So, I am sadder than sad without my precious son, Austin.
It always upsets me when I hear people say that it was so stupid to be so close to the edge, and I have heard other remarks along those lines. I agree that being where Austin was at 2:30 a.m. on a mountain in the dark was not the safest place to be, but I just could not get peace about the fall because I knew Austin was not stupid. I knew he loved life, and more than anything, I knew he would never leave me.
Yesterday Tim Ernst, who led the rescuers down below the bluff to Austin, took Austin's family and showed us where Austin was camping, exactly the spot he fell from, and took us down below the Crag to where he landed. We learned that he did not fall from the Crag where he had laid and stared at the stars. It was actually a little distance east of the Crag, around another big rock with dirt and gravel that slopes downward. We now understand how he probably got turned around in the fog and lost his footing on the gravel where the ground had a steep downward slope. Seeing this spot has answered so many questions for me.
The time lapse had also haunted me regarding how long it took to get to Austin. He fell at 2:30 a.m., with many factors involved, Austin was not lifted to the top of the Crag until around 9:30 a.m. After hiking the exact trail, which isn't really a trail, the many rescuers hiked to help my son, we are amazed at all their efforts. The real heroes are the first responders. Most of them are volunteers and are there on their own time just to do what they can to help. I loved reading Tim Ernst's journal when he described finding Austin. "The person came into view and the mood was somber as they approached, and then all of the sudden one the paramedics yelled out "he is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes."
Austin's family, with grateful hearts, wants to thank all of you who helped with the rescue of our precious Austin. Thank you again Tim Ernst, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service, Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape (we know of the loving perspective you have for each and every rescue), Buffalo Search & Rescue, Newton County Search & Rescue, and Arkansas Forestry Commission. Thank you NARMC for stabilizing him and securing him in the liter. To BUFFSAR for the technical raising operation directly over the point. To the ParkMedic who bagged Austin "giving him airway assistance" while being lifted in the liter up the side of the mountain. To the EMT who was ascending on a separate rope system, while suctioning Austin's airway. To all the men who carried that heavy liter basket with Austin up that steep hill to the ambulance. To Glenn Wheeler who was the post commander and helped with his medical care when Austin reached the top of the Crag. We recognize all your heroic efforts with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for what you do every day to help others. We also want to thank all the medical staff at both hospitals, in Harrison and Springfield, who did everything possible to save my son, and for all of your love and hugs while we were with you.
Many of you may know Tim Ernst as the great artist that he is, but he is my hero. He and his sweet wife, Pam, drove all the way to Springfield, MO., to bring us the branch that broke off the Maple tree that slowed Austin's fall. Tim has a big heart for others and has given countless hours of his time to assist with other rescues. Today he blessed our family by kindly showing us everything that pertained to this accident. We put a yellow ribbon around the Maple tree that broke Austin's fall. Then I prayed, and Austin's father, Danny, prayed underneath the Maple tree. It was the most beautiful day and I see why Austin loved and appreciated God's beautiful creation. You can look at Tim's beautiful work at TimErnstPhotography.com.
Satan tries to get me to relive the accident from the beginning to the end and he tries to let me imagine everything my son would have thought or felt. As a mother who knows how the devil picks at you, I am asking you to please pray a hedge of protection around his dear friend Thomas "Lucky" Hanna who did all he could to help Austin. Pray Lucky will only have good memories. He lost one of his best friends and he is suffering too. Please keep this precious young man in your prayers as well.
This mother's heart is broken, but still able to see how Austin always had the biggest heart. His life was shorter than I wanted, but his life keeps touching so many hearts. I miss my momma's boy! I know my son clearly fought to stay here with us. Who lives after falling 100 feet, landing between large rocks, and goes 7 hours before reaching the top of the Crag? That is a Miracle. Clearly, an Angel, or Jesus Himself, told Austin his mother will be OK or he would not have left me. I can't help but grieve my son not being here, but I am trying to keep focused on the eternal, and not the temporary circumstances. Austin beat me to our eternal home, "Heaven". Our time was short here on earth together, but I will get to spend eternity with him. "We don't look at the troubles we can see now, rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever" (2 Cor. 4:18).
I am human, so there are times I fall from the fiery darts of the enemy. We just discussed this in Grief Share. May you learn from my mistakes, find encouragement in your current circumstances, find a renewed thankfulness for your loved ones, and when you don't understand your circumstance, you have faith in the unseen. May you know the devil is darkness, and wants us to feel hopelessness and despair. Know that God's love is unfailing, His goodness is endless, His grace is amazing, and He is the only one who can comfort us and promises to heal the broken hearted and crushed in spirit. In His Presence is where you can find strength, comfort and peace.
With a grateful heart!
Gina
● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
When you remember me,
it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.
It means that you can summon me back to your mind
even though countless years and miles may stand between us.
It means that if we meet again, you will know me.
It means that even after I die,
you can still see my face and hear my voice
and speak to me in your heart.
For as long as you remember me,
I am never entirely lost.
12.24.2013
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Tim Ernst lives close to where Austin fell from Hawksbill Crag and lead the rescue party to the bluff.
"From Tim Ernst's Blog:
I was up early today working in the print room trying to get ready for our open house today, but did not expect the approaching headlights. There were two, three, four emergency vehicles headed into our place before daylight. I spoke with them and found out that someone had fallen off the bluff line near Hawksbill Crag during the night, and they were trying to find the parking spot to gain access to the area. I drove up to the Faddis cabin and led a team of first responders and other emergency personnel down to the Crag, where we could see a person on the ground below - it was just getting daylight by this time, but it was foggy.
The group split up with half of them remaining on top of the bluff while I took the others down through a split in the bluff line about a half mile beyond the Crag. As we passed underneath the Crag and the person came into view, it was obvious this had been a terrible fall with little chance of survival. I have measured it with a measuring tape before, and it is exactly 100 feet from the top of the bluff to the forest floor below. We were all somber as we approached, and then all of a sudden one of the paramedics yelled out "He is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes.
I could only stand back and watch as these three guys kicked it into high gear and attended to the needs of the injured young man. They called up on the radio to the command post at the Faddis cabin that had already been set up, and dozens of other rescue folks jumped into action, including literally running additional supplies down the steep hillside to the top of the bluff above us, where someone came down the ropes they had set up. I know this has been witnessed and said many times before, but it is amazing what these Search & Rescue guys do, how well they do it, and how FAST they do it.
Looking around I noticed a small tree next to the injured young man. About eight or ten feet up the tree was the stob of a freshly-broken branch. And on the ground below was the branch. It appeared to me that this little tree had broken his free-fall, and was probably the reason why he was still alive. A single little tree.
As the paramedics worked I was no longer of any use and just in the way so I made my way back to the top of the bluff and out to the Faddis cabin, where there were dozens of emergency vehicles at the command post. It has scarcely been an hour since I met the headlights in the driveway in the dark.
While all of this was going on, a neighbor brought the injured man's friend who had been camping with him to our cabin so that he could phone his dad. He had been wandering around in the darkness for quite a while trying to get a cell signal to call for help.
I was not present for the rest of the evacuation, but I have been told that the injured young man was still alive when they reached the waiting ambulance at the Faddis cabin. They raised him up over the bluff right at Hawksbill Crag, then carried him up a steep and rough old trail trace out. He was driven to the hospital and then flown to another emergency care unit. Due to the fog in the area this morning they were not able to fly a helicopter to our area to pick him up.
And I have VERY GOOD NEWS LATE TONIGHT. I just talked with Glenn Wheeler, one of the rescue team commanders, a few minutes ago and was told that the young man is alive and stabilized in the hospital tonight. He has a lot of internal injuries and broken bones and they do not know to what degree he will recover, but this is nothing short of a miracle that he is alive - people generally do not survive a fall of this magnitude. The world owes a great debt of gratitude to all the search and rescue folks around the globe - the job they do is unbelievable. Thank you for all of your prayers..."
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Later Tim brought the small branch from the tree to the family at the hospital.
A single little tree. A single little branch, but so very many lives changed...
This branch has become a symbol of the miracle of Austin's survival of his 100 foot fall.
★ ° ☾ ☆
You live as long as you are remembered.
~ Russian Proverb
★ ° ☾ ☆
...gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind...
I know. But I do not approve. I am not resigned...
~ by Edna St. Vincent Millay
★ ° ☾ ☆
Listen for Angels
hovering near,
whispering words
you long to hear,
love is not over
life is not gone
now and forever,
the spirit lives on.
★ ° ☾ ☆
for everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under Heaven:
a time to be born, a time to die,
a time to plant, a time to uproot,
a time to weep, a time to laugh,
a time to grieve, a time to dance"
~ King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3)
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Don't Cry for me...
If you could only see where I'm at now, you wouldn't cry for me. All of Heavens Angels met me when I arrived and I was met by Jesus with a loving embrace. I walked side by side with old friends and family alike. Don't cry for me because here there is no trace of sickness or sadness only His loving Grace. The beauty is beyond words and nothing I could say would compare. Don't cry for me because I am in a far better place, with streets of gold just like we were told. So please remember don't cry for me but rather rejoice for I can hear angels sing. Oh, how much peace their voices bring.
by John G. Ward & Matthew E
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♥ When they walk through the valley of weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains ♥ Psalms 84:6
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You can shed tears that I am gone.
Or you can smile because I lived.
You can close your eyes
and pray that I will come back
Or you can open your eyes
and see all that I left.
Your heart can be empty
because you can't see me
Or you can be full
of the love we shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow
and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember me
and only that I am gone
Or you can cherish my memory
and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what I'd want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
I think if Austin could say anything to us it would be for us to love and go on with our lives and he'll see us in heaven
bjv
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Sept. 3, 2015
In the months since Austin's soul left this world for his promised mansion, his mom, Gina, has shared with friends that she has spent many hours and days walking cemeteries, looking for ideas for her precious child's stone.
Finally she knew what she wanted and on Austin's 22nd birthday, she, other family members and friends gathered at this grave for the setting of his stone. They celebrated his life and the legacy of love he left for them.
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A LOVING TRIBUTE ♥¸.•*´¯♥
(¯`•♥•´¯)☆ ♥ FOR THIS
*`•.¸(¯`•♥•´¯)¸.•♥♥ BELOVED
☆ º ` `•.¸.•´ « ♥♥ SPECIAL
... ♫ ♥¸.•*´¯♥ ❤ ANGEL
(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`♥`*•.¸
♥ •●۰FOREVER LOVED & MISSED۰●• ♥¸.•*´¯♥
★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ ° ★ . * . .. • ○ ° ★ . • ○ ° ★ ° .Austin • ★ ° . . ☾ °☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :. . • ○ ° ★ • ★ ° . . Son ☾ °☆. * . . ° . Brother ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. ● . ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. . • ○ ° ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ . Grandson * . . ¸ . ° ★ ¸. * ● ¸ . ° ☾ ° ¸. ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ Uncle . ° . • ○ ° ★ . *Cousin . ☾ ° ¸. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ¸. ★ ° . • ★ °. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ★ ° ☾ ☆ Friend¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * . ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :.Classmate . • ○ ° . * . . ° . ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. • ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ °
☆.*★ Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,
but rather openings where our loved ones
shine through to let us know they are safe and happy ★.*☆¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
Austin Thomas Elder, 19, of Fort Smith, died December 14, 2012 in Springfield, MO. He was born September 2, 1993 in Fort Smith to Danny R. Elder and Gina Michele Angeletti Elder. He was a graduate of Southside High School where he was passionate about football and was a 7A All Region Defensive Back. He was a member of the SHS Rebel Football, The Native American Tribesman, The Earth Club, UFO Club, Disc Golf Club and the Extreme Outdoor Enthusiasts. He spent a lot of his time camping out, hiking, taking photos of sunsets, and looking at the stars.
Austin had just finished his first semester at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
He was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 11 years old. He loved his family and friends unconditionally; he was very loyal and had many many friends. His loyalty and his love were an inspiration to all who knew him. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved nature.
He is survived by his mother, Gina Angeletti Elder, his father, Danny Elder of Fort Smith; one sister, Brittany and husband Matt Przybysz of Fort Smith; maternal grandparents, Tom and Wanda Clayton of Fort Smith and Floyd and Freda Angeletti of Benton, AR. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Theo and Louise Elder.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Grand Avenue Baptist Church with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Alex Bare, Zachery Elder, Mathias Elder, Thaddeus Elder, Coach Williams, and Coach Fimple.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Abe Artaga, Walt Blythe, Nathan Bolton, Drew Comer, Jake Childress, Adam Fitts, Thomas Hanna, Matt Hartstein, Adam Lucus, Alex Mann, Sam Snyder, and Chris Villafranca.
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UAFS Student Injured In Fall Declared Brain Dead; Former Teammates Praise Him
By Kevin Taylor
Times Record [email protected]
A University of Fort Smith student who fell off a bluff early Saturday was declared brain dead Thursday.
Austin Elder, 19, was declared brain dead Thursday at a Springfield, Mo., hospital following complications from his fall of 100 feet off Hawksbill Crag, a bluff overlooking a large canyon in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area in Newton County, early Saturday.
Southside football coaches confirmed Elder's family has decided to keep him on life support until he's transported to St. Louis, where his organs will go to those in need of transplants.
According to a Thursday afternoon post on the "Prayers for Austin Elder" Facebook page, Elder chose to be an organ donor when he renewed his driver's license. "He was adamant that he wanted to be a donor," the post states. "That conversation was part of God's perfect plan. Austin fell 100 feet, but God used that small maple tree to keep his organs from being damaged so he could save 5 to 8 other people. We have so much to say to all of you, but may not get them said today. We can't tell you how much we love you all and we thank you for allowing God to use you all to bless this family."
Elder was a former Southside football player who played defensive back.
"It's hard to talk about," Southside coach Jeff Williams said. "He's a special young man. One thing around here, we have a football family, and when you lose one of the family it's hard on everybody."
"He was the kid that I think every coach enjoys seeing," Southside assistant football coach Keith Fimple said. "Because of his physical stature, people were always telling him there's no way you can play. When you see the success on the field, it melts your heart."
The 5-6, 150-pound Elder was what Fimple described as a "typical Rebel football player."
"I saw him get hit by a quarterback at West Memphis one night (2010) and he bounced up like a rubber ball," Fimple said. "He's the type of kid we have around here. People told him he couldn't do it, but he always found a way. He started 16 football games and never allowed a touchdown pass (to the receiver he was covering). Amazing."
"He was the littlest kid on the football field, yet he played with the biggest heart, there's no other way to describe it," Williams said. "He comes by the office about every two weeks to see us."
Elder was a student at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
"My sophomore year we went to West Memphis and he got decapitated by their quarterback on a reverse," Southside senior Garrett Wolfe said. "It was one of the hardest high school hits I ever saw. He laid there for about five minutes and he was back on the field a few plays later."
Ramsey coach nicknamed Elder and former Rebel teammate Dylan Reynolds the "mighty mites" when they were in the seventh grade. The nickname stuck, Reynolds said.
"Austin and I earned the nickname 'mighty mites' from coach (Prewitt), and ever since on the football field we were a pair," Reynolds said.
Fimple believes Elder, who had gone to camp with Thomas Hanna, might have been disoriented by the fog. The accident is believed to have happened about 2:30 a.m. while he and Hanna were looking at the stars.
Hanna went for help and authorities couldn't get to Elder until 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to the "Prayers" Facebook page, Elder suffered two strokes Wednesday that left him without brain function.
"Austin impacted me when I was a senior and he was a sophomore," former Rebel Spencer Tooley said. "We both played receiver and I got the pleasure of seeing him quite often. He really stood out to me; you could just tell he was a good person to be around. He was inspiring to those around him."
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On Dec 14, with his parents on either side of him, each holding one of his hands, the ventilator was unhooked and as Austin took his last breath as they sang, "Jesus Loves Me"
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong—
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
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April 29, 2013
"Austin's mom added this to her Facebook page about her precious Austin, along with the pictures of the family on the Hawksbill Crag and at the tree that slowed Austin's fall. Both pictures were taken in the last few days."
When you have a son who is all boy, fearless and adventurous, like Austin, you feel the need to discuss his safety. I always told him at the end of such conversations, "you know that I can't live without you." He always laughed and would say, "Mom, nothing is going to happen to me and I will always be here for you." Of course, I never thought he would ever actually die. I just felt better when he reassured me he was being careful. I have been told by his friends that he was always careful on their adventures. So, I am sadder than sad without my precious son, Austin.
It always upsets me when I hear people say that it was so stupid to be so close to the edge, and I have heard other remarks along those lines. I agree that being where Austin was at 2:30 a.m. on a mountain in the dark was not the safest place to be, but I just could not get peace about the fall because I knew Austin was not stupid. I knew he loved life, and more than anything, I knew he would never leave me.
Yesterday Tim Ernst, who led the rescuers down below the bluff to Austin, took Austin's family and showed us where Austin was camping, exactly the spot he fell from, and took us down below the Crag to where he landed. We learned that he did not fall from the Crag where he had laid and stared at the stars. It was actually a little distance east of the Crag, around another big rock with dirt and gravel that slopes downward. We now understand how he probably got turned around in the fog and lost his footing on the gravel where the ground had a steep downward slope. Seeing this spot has answered so many questions for me.
The time lapse had also haunted me regarding how long it took to get to Austin. He fell at 2:30 a.m., with many factors involved, Austin was not lifted to the top of the Crag until around 9:30 a.m. After hiking the exact trail, which isn't really a trail, the many rescuers hiked to help my son, we are amazed at all their efforts. The real heroes are the first responders. Most of them are volunteers and are there on their own time just to do what they can to help. I loved reading Tim Ernst's journal when he described finding Austin. "The person came into view and the mood was somber as they approached, and then all of the sudden one the paramedics yelled out "he is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes."
Austin's family, with grateful hearts, wants to thank all of you who helped with the rescue of our precious Austin. Thank you again Tim Ernst, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service, Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape (we know of the loving perspective you have for each and every rescue), Buffalo Search & Rescue, Newton County Search & Rescue, and Arkansas Forestry Commission. Thank you NARMC for stabilizing him and securing him in the liter. To BUFFSAR for the technical raising operation directly over the point. To the ParkMedic who bagged Austin "giving him airway assistance" while being lifted in the liter up the side of the mountain. To the EMT who was ascending on a separate rope system, while suctioning Austin's airway. To all the men who carried that heavy liter basket with Austin up that steep hill to the ambulance. To Glenn Wheeler who was the post commander and helped with his medical care when Austin reached the top of the Crag. We recognize all your heroic efforts with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for what you do every day to help others. We also want to thank all the medical staff at both hospitals, in Harrison and Springfield, who did everything possible to save my son, and for all of your love and hugs while we were with you.
Many of you may know Tim Ernst as the great artist that he is, but he is my hero. He and his sweet wife, Pam, drove all the way to Springfield, MO., to bring us the branch that broke off the Maple tree that slowed Austin's fall. Tim has a big heart for others and has given countless hours of his time to assist with other rescues. Today he blessed our family by kindly showing us everything that pertained to this accident. We put a yellow ribbon around the Maple tree that broke Austin's fall. Then I prayed, and Austin's father, Danny, prayed underneath the Maple tree. It was the most beautiful day and I see why Austin loved and appreciated God's beautiful creation. You can look at Tim's beautiful work at TimErnstPhotography.com.
Satan tries to get me to relive the accident from the beginning to the end and he tries to let me imagine everything my son would have thought or felt. As a mother who knows how the devil picks at you, I am asking you to please pray a hedge of protection around his dear friend Thomas "Lucky" Hanna who did all he could to help Austin. Pray Lucky will only have good memories. He lost one of his best friends and he is suffering too. Please keep this precious young man in your prayers as well.
This mother's heart is broken, but still able to see how Austin always had the biggest heart. His life was shorter than I wanted, but his life keeps touching so many hearts. I miss my momma's boy! I know my son clearly fought to stay here with us. Who lives after falling 100 feet, landing between large rocks, and goes 7 hours before reaching the top of the Crag? That is a Miracle. Clearly, an Angel, or Jesus Himself, told Austin his mother will be OK or he would not have left me. I can't help but grieve my son not being here, but I am trying to keep focused on the eternal, and not the temporary circumstances. Austin beat me to our eternal home, "Heaven". Our time was short here on earth together, but I will get to spend eternity with him. "We don't look at the troubles we can see now, rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever" (2 Cor. 4:18).
I am human, so there are times I fall from the fiery darts of the enemy. We just discussed this in Grief Share. May you learn from my mistakes, find encouragement in your current circumstances, find a renewed thankfulness for your loved ones, and when you don't understand your circumstance, you have faith in the unseen. May you know the devil is darkness, and wants us to feel hopelessness and despair. Know that God's love is unfailing, His goodness is endless, His grace is amazing, and He is the only one who can comfort us and promises to heal the broken hearted and crushed in spirit. In His Presence is where you can find strength, comfort and peace.
With a grateful heart!
Gina
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When you remember me,
it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.
It means that you can summon me back to your mind
even though countless years and miles may stand between us.
It means that if we meet again, you will know me.
It means that even after I die,
you can still see my face and hear my voice
and speak to me in your heart.
For as long as you remember me,
I am never entirely lost.
12.24.2013
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Tim Ernst lives close to where Austin fell from Hawksbill Crag and lead the rescue party to the bluff.
"From Tim Ernst's Blog:
I was up early today working in the print room trying to get ready for our open house today, but did not expect the approaching headlights. There were two, three, four emergency vehicles headed into our place before daylight. I spoke with them and found out that someone had fallen off the bluff line near Hawksbill Crag during the night, and they were trying to find the parking spot to gain access to the area. I drove up to the Faddis cabin and led a team of first responders and other emergency personnel down to the Crag, where we could see a person on the ground below - it was just getting daylight by this time, but it was foggy.
The group split up with half of them remaining on top of the bluff while I took the others down through a split in the bluff line about a half mile beyond the Crag. As we passed underneath the Crag and the person came into view, it was obvious this had been a terrible fall with little chance of survival. I have measured it with a measuring tape before, and it is exactly 100 feet from the top of the bluff to the forest floor below. We were all somber as we approached, and then all of a sudden one of the paramedics yelled out "He is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes.
I could only stand back and watch as these three guys kicked it into high gear and attended to the needs of the injured young man. They called up on the radio to the command post at the Faddis cabin that had already been set up, and dozens of other rescue folks jumped into action, including literally running additional supplies down the steep hillside to the top of the bluff above us, where someone came down the ropes they had set up. I know this has been witnessed and said many times before, but it is amazing what these Search & Rescue guys do, how well they do it, and how FAST they do it.
Looking around I noticed a small tree next to the injured young man. About eight or ten feet up the tree was the stob of a freshly-broken branch. And on the ground below was the branch. It appeared to me that this little tree had broken his free-fall, and was probably the reason why he was still alive. A single little tree.
As the paramedics worked I was no longer of any use and just in the way so I made my way back to the top of the bluff and out to the Faddis cabin, where there were dozens of emergency vehicles at the command post. It has scarcely been an hour since I met the headlights in the driveway in the dark.
While all of this was going on, a neighbor brought the injured man's friend who had been camping with him to our cabin so that he could phone his dad. He had been wandering around in the darkness for quite a while trying to get a cell signal to call for help.
I was not present for the rest of the evacuation, but I have been told that the injured young man was still alive when they reached the waiting ambulance at the Faddis cabin. They raised him up over the bluff right at Hawksbill Crag, then carried him up a steep and rough old trail trace out. He was driven to the hospital and then flown to another emergency care unit. Due to the fog in the area this morning they were not able to fly a helicopter to our area to pick him up.
And I have VERY GOOD NEWS LATE TONIGHT. I just talked with Glenn Wheeler, one of the rescue team commanders, a few minutes ago and was told that the young man is alive and stabilized in the hospital tonight. He has a lot of internal injuries and broken bones and they do not know to what degree he will recover, but this is nothing short of a miracle that he is alive - people generally do not survive a fall of this magnitude. The world owes a great debt of gratitude to all the search and rescue folks around the globe - the job they do is unbelievable. Thank you for all of your prayers..."
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Later Tim brought the small branch from the tree to the family at the hospital.
A single little tree. A single little branch, but so very many lives changed...
This branch has become a symbol of the miracle of Austin's survival of his 100 foot fall.
★ ° ☾ ☆
You live as long as you are remembered.
~ Russian Proverb
★ ° ☾ ☆
...gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind...
I know. But I do not approve. I am not resigned...
~ by Edna St. Vincent Millay
★ ° ☾ ☆
Listen for Angels
hovering near,
whispering words
you long to hear,
love is not over
life is not gone
now and forever,
the spirit lives on.
★ ° ☾ ☆
for everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under Heaven:
a time to be born, a time to die,
a time to plant, a time to uproot,
a time to weep, a time to laugh,
a time to grieve, a time to dance"
~ King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3)
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Don't Cry for me...
If you could only see where I'm at now, you wouldn't cry for me. All of Heavens Angels met me when I arrived and I was met by Jesus with a loving embrace. I walked side by side with old friends and family alike. Don't cry for me because here there is no trace of sickness or sadness only His loving Grace. The beauty is beyond words and nothing I could say would compare. Don't cry for me because I am in a far better place, with streets of gold just like we were told. So please remember don't cry for me but rather rejoice for I can hear angels sing. Oh, how much peace their voices bring.
by John G. Ward & Matthew E
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♥ When they walk through the valley of weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains ♥ Psalms 84:6
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You can shed tears that I am gone.
Or you can smile because I lived.
You can close your eyes
and pray that I will come back
Or you can open your eyes
and see all that I left.
Your heart can be empty
because you can't see me
Or you can be full
of the love we shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow
and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember me
and only that I am gone
Or you can cherish my memory
and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what I'd want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
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I think if Austin could say anything to us it would be for us to love and go on with our lives and he'll see us in heaven
bjv
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Sept. 3, 2015
In the months since Austin's soul left this world for his promised mansion, his mom, Gina, has shared with friends that she has spent many hours and days walking cemeteries, looking for ideas for her precious child's stone.
Finally she knew what she wanted and on Austin's 22nd birthday, she, other family members and friends gathered at this grave for the setting of his stone. They celebrated his life and the legacy of love he left for them.
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A LOVING TRIBUTE ♥¸.•*´¯♥
(¯`•♥•´¯)☆ ♥ FOR THIS
*`•.¸(¯`•♥•´¯)¸.•♥♥ BELOVED
☆ º ` `•.¸.•´ « ♥♥ SPECIAL
... ♫ ♥¸.•*´¯♥ ❤ ANGEL
(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`♥`*•.¸
♥ •●۰FOREVER LOVED & MISSED۰●• ♥¸.•*´¯♥
★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ ° ★ . * . .. • ○ ° ★ . • ○ ° ★ ° .Austin • ★ ° . . ☾ °☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :. . • ○ ° ★ • ★ ° . . Son ☾ °☆. * . . ° . Brother ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. ● . ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. . • ○ ° ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ . Grandson * . . ¸ . ° ★ ¸. * ● ¸ . ° ☾ ° ¸. ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ Uncle . ° . • ○ ° ★ . *Cousin . ☾ ° ¸. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ¸. ★ ° . • ★ °. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ★ ° ☾ ☆ Friend¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * . ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :.Classmate . • ○ ° . * . . ° . ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. • ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ °
☆.*★ Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,
but rather openings where our loved ones
shine through to let us know they are safe and happy ★.*☆¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
Austin Thomas Elder, 19, of Fort Smith, died December 14, 2012 in Springfield, MO. He was born September 2, 1993 in Fort Smith to Danny R. Elder and Gina Michele Angeletti Elder. He was a graduate of Southside High School where he was passionate about football and was a 7A All Region Defensive Back. He was a member of the SHS Rebel Football, The Native American Tribesman, The Earth Club, UFO Club, Disc Golf Club and the Extreme Outdoor Enthusiasts. He spent a lot of his time camping out, hiking, taking photos of sunsets, and looking at the stars.
Austin had just finished his first semester at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
He was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 11 years old. He loved his family and friends unconditionally; he was very loyal and had many many friends. His loyalty and his love were an inspiration to all who knew him. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved nature.
He is survived by his mother, Gina Angeletti Elder, his father, Danny Elder of Fort Smith; one sister, Brittany and husband Matt Przybysz of Fort Smith; maternal grandparents, Tom and Wanda Clayton of Fort Smith and Floyd and Freda Angeletti of Benton, AR. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Theo and Louise Elder.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Grand Avenue Baptist Church with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Alex Bare, Zachery Elder, Mathias Elder, Thaddeus Elder, Coach Williams, and Coach Fimple.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Abe Artaga, Walt Blythe, Nathan Bolton, Drew Comer, Jake Childress, Adam Fitts, Thomas Hanna, Matt Hartstein, Adam Lucus, Alex Mann, Sam Snyder, and Chris Villafranca.
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UAFS Student Injured In Fall Declared Brain Dead; Former Teammates Praise Him
By Kevin Taylor
Times Record [email protected]
A University of Fort Smith student who fell off a bluff early Saturday was declared brain dead Thursday.
Austin Elder, 19, was declared brain dead Thursday at a Springfield, Mo., hospital following complications from his fall of 100 feet off Hawksbill Crag, a bluff overlooking a large canyon in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area in Newton County, early Saturday.
Southside football coaches confirmed Elder's family has decided to keep him on life support until he's transported to St. Louis, where his organs will go to those in need of transplants.
According to a Thursday afternoon post on the "Prayers for Austin Elder" Facebook page, Elder chose to be an organ donor when he renewed his driver's license. "He was adamant that he wanted to be a donor," the post states. "That conversation was part of God's perfect plan. Austin fell 100 feet, but God used that small maple tree to keep his organs from being damaged so he could save 5 to 8 other people. We have so much to say to all of you, but may not get them said today. We can't tell you how much we love you all and we thank you for allowing God to use you all to bless this family."
Elder was a former Southside football player who played defensive back.
"It's hard to talk about," Southside coach Jeff Williams said. "He's a special young man. One thing around here, we have a football family, and when you lose one of the family it's hard on everybody."
"He was the kid that I think every coach enjoys seeing," Southside assistant football coach Keith Fimple said. "Because of his physical stature, people were always telling him there's no way you can play. When you see the success on the field, it melts your heart."
The 5-6, 150-pound Elder was what Fimple described as a "typical Rebel football player."
"I saw him get hit by a quarterback at West Memphis one night (2010) and he bounced up like a rubber ball," Fimple said. "He's the type of kid we have around here. People told him he couldn't do it, but he always found a way. He started 16 football games and never allowed a touchdown pass (to the receiver he was covering). Amazing."
"He was the littlest kid on the football field, yet he played with the biggest heart, there's no other way to describe it," Williams said. "He comes by the office about every two weeks to see us."
Elder was a student at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
"My sophomore year we went to West Memphis and he got decapitated by their quarterback on a reverse," Southside senior Garrett Wolfe said. "It was one of the hardest high school hits I ever saw. He laid there for about five minutes and he was back on the field a few plays later."
Ramsey coach nicknamed Elder and former Rebel teammate Dylan Reynolds the "mighty mites" when they were in the seventh grade. The nickname stuck, Reynolds said.
"Austin and I earned the nickname 'mighty mites' from coach (Prewitt), and ever since on the football field we were a pair," Reynolds said.
Fimple believes Elder, who had gone to camp with Thomas Hanna, might have been disoriented by the fog. The accident is believed to have happened about 2:30 a.m. while he and Hanna were looking at the stars.
Hanna went for help and authorities couldn't get to Elder until 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to the "Prayers" Facebook page, Elder suffered two strokes Wednesday that left him without brain function.
"Austin impacted me when I was a senior and he was a sophomore," former Rebel Spencer Tooley said. "We both played receiver and I got the pleasure of seeing him quite often. He really stood out to me; you could just tell he was a good person to be around. He was inspiring to those around him."
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On Dec 14, with his parents on either side of him, each holding one of his hands, the ventilator was unhooked and as Austin took his last breath as they sang, "Jesus Loves Me"
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong—
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
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April 29, 2013
"Austin's mom added this to her Facebook page about her precious Austin, along with the pictures of the family on the Hawksbill Crag and at the tree that slowed Austin's fall. Both pictures were taken in the last few days."
When you have a son who is all boy, fearless and adventurous, like Austin, you feel the need to discuss his safety. I always told him at the end of such conversations, "you know that I can't live without you." He always laughed and would say, "Mom, nothing is going to happen to me and I will always be here for you." Of course, I never thought he would ever actually die. I just felt better when he reassured me he was being careful. I have been told by his friends that he was always careful on their adventures. So, I am sadder than sad without my precious son, Austin.
It always upsets me when I hear people say that it was so stupid to be so close to the edge, and I have heard other remarks along those lines. I agree that being where Austin was at 2:30 a.m. on a mountain in the dark was not the safest place to be, but I just could not get peace about the fall because I knew Austin was not stupid. I knew he loved life, and more than anything, I knew he would never leave me.
Yesterday Tim Ernst, who led the rescuers down below the bluff to Austin, took Austin's family and showed us where Austin was camping, exactly the spot he fell from, and took us down below the Crag to where he landed. We learned that he did not fall from the Crag where he had laid and stared at the stars. It was actually a little distance east of the Crag, around another big rock with dirt and gravel that slopes downward. We now understand how he probably got turned around in the fog and lost his footing on the gravel where the ground had a steep downward slope. Seeing this spot has answered so many questions for me.
The time lapse had also haunted me regarding how long it took to get to Austin. He fell at 2:30 a.m., with many factors involved, Austin was not lifted to the top of the Crag until around 9:30 a.m. After hiking the exact trail, which isn't really a trail, the many rescuers hiked to help my son, we are amazed at all their efforts. The real heroes are the first responders. Most of them are volunteers and are there on their own time just to do what they can to help. I loved reading Tim Ernst's journal when he described finding Austin. "The person came into view and the mood was somber as they approached, and then all of the sudden one the paramedics yelled out "he is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes."
Austin's family, with grateful hearts, wants to thank all of you who helped with the rescue of our precious Austin. Thank you again Tim Ernst, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service, Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape (we know of the loving perspective you have for each and every rescue), Buffalo Search & Rescue, Newton County Search & Rescue, and Arkansas Forestry Commission. Thank you NARMC for stabilizing him and securing him in the liter. To BUFFSAR for the technical raising operation directly over the point. To the ParkMedic who bagged Austin "giving him airway assistance" while being lifted in the liter up the side of the mountain. To the EMT who was ascending on a separate rope system, while suctioning Austin's airway. To all the men who carried that heavy liter basket with Austin up that steep hill to the ambulance. To Glenn Wheeler who was the post commander and helped with his medical care when Austin reached the top of the Crag. We recognize all your heroic efforts with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for what you do every day to help others. We also want to thank all the medical staff at both hospitals, in Harrison and Springfield, who did everything possible to save my son, and for all of your love and hugs while we were with you.
Many of you may know Tim Ernst as the great artist that he is, but he is my hero. He and his sweet wife, Pam, drove all the way to Springfield, MO., to bring us the branch that broke off the Maple tree that slowed Austin's fall. Tim has a big heart for others and has given countless hours of his time to assist with other rescues. Today he blessed our family by kindly showing us everything that pertained to this accident. We put a yellow ribbon around the Maple tree that broke Austin's fall. Then I prayed, and Austin's father, Danny, prayed underneath the Maple tree. It was the most beautiful day and I see why Austin loved and appreciated God's beautiful creation. You can look at Tim's beautiful work at TimErnstPhotography.com.
Satan tries to get me to relive the accident from the beginning to the end and he tries to let me imagine everything my son would have thought or felt. As a mother who knows how the devil picks at you, I am asking you to please pray a hedge of protection around his dear friend Thomas "Lucky" Hanna who did all he could to help Austin. Pray Lucky will only have good memories. He lost one of his best friends and he is suffering too. Please keep this precious young man in your prayers as well.
This mother's heart is broken, but still able to see how Austin always had the biggest heart. His life was shorter than I wanted, but his life keeps touching so many hearts. I miss my momma's boy! I know my son clearly fought to stay here with us. Who lives after falling 100 feet, landing between large rocks, and goes 7 hours before reaching the top of the Crag? That is a Miracle. Clearly, an Angel, or Jesus Himself, told Austin his mother will be OK or he would not have left me. I can't help but grieve my son not being here, but I am trying to keep focused on the eternal, and not the temporary circumstances. Austin beat me to our eternal home, "Heaven". Our time was short here on earth together, but I will get to spend eternity with him. "We don't look at the troubles we can see now, rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever" (2 Cor. 4:18).
I am human, so there are times I fall from the fiery darts of the enemy. We just discussed this in Grief Share. May you learn from my mistakes, find encouragement in your current circumstances, find a renewed thankfulness for your loved ones, and when you don't understand your circumstance, you have faith in the unseen. May you know the devil is darkness, and wants us to feel hopelessness and despair. Know that God's love is unfailing, His goodness is endless, His grace is amazing, and He is the only one who can comfort us and promises to heal the broken hearted and crushed in spirit. In His Presence is where you can find strength, comfort and peace.
With a grateful heart!
Gina
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When you remember me,
it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.
It means that you can summon me back to your mind
even though countless years and miles may stand between us.
It means that if we meet again, you will know me.
It means that even after I die,
you can still see my face and hear my voice
and speak to me in your heart.
For as long as you remember me,
I am never entirely lost.
12.24.2013
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Tim Ernst lives close to where Austin fell from Hawksbill Crag and lead the rescue party to the bluff.
"From Tim Ernst's Blog:
I was up early today working in the print room trying to get ready for our open house today, but did not expect the approaching headlights. There were two, three, four emergency vehicles headed into our place before daylight. I spoke with them and found out that someone had fallen off the bluff line near Hawksbill Crag during the night, and they were trying to find the parking spot to gain access to the area. I drove up to the Faddis cabin and led a team of first responders and other emergency personnel down to the Crag, where we could see a person on the ground below - it was just getting daylight by this time, but it was foggy.
The group split up with half of them remaining on top of the bluff while I took the others down through a split in the bluff line about a half mile beyond the Crag. As we passed underneath the Crag and the person came into view, it was obvious this had been a terrible fall with little chance of survival. I have measured it with a measuring tape before, and it is exactly 100 feet from the top of the bluff to the forest floor below. We were all somber as we approached, and then all of a sudden one of the paramedics yelled out "He is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes.
I could only stand back and watch as these three guys kicked it into high gear and attended to the needs of the injured young man. They called up on the radio to the command post at the Faddis cabin that had already been set up, and dozens of other rescue folks jumped into action, including literally running additional supplies down the steep hillside to the top of the bluff above us, where someone came down the ropes they had set up. I know this has been witnessed and said many times before, but it is amazing what these Search & Rescue guys do, how well they do it, and how FAST they do it.
Looking around I noticed a small tree next to the injured young man. About eight or ten feet up the tree was the stob of a freshly-broken branch. And on the ground below was the branch. It appeared to me that this little tree had broken his free-fall, and was probably the reason why he was still alive. A single little tree.
As the paramedics worked I was no longer of any use and just in the way so I made my way back to the top of the bluff and out to the Faddis cabin, where there were dozens of emergency vehicles at the command post. It has scarcely been an hour since I met the headlights in the driveway in the dark.
While all of this was going on, a neighbor brought the injured man's friend who had been camping with him to our cabin so that he could phone his dad. He had been wandering around in the darkness for quite a while trying to get a cell signal to call for help.
I was not present for the rest of the evacuation, but I have been told that the injured young man was still alive when they reached the waiting ambulance at the Faddis cabin. They raised him up over the bluff right at Hawksbill Crag, then carried him up a steep and rough old trail trace out. He was driven to the hospital and then flown to another emergency care unit. Due to the fog in the area this morning they were not able to fly a helicopter to our area to pick him up.
And I have VERY GOOD NEWS LATE TONIGHT. I just talked with Glenn Wheeler, one of the rescue team commanders, a few minutes ago and was told that the young man is alive and stabilized in the hospital tonight. He has a lot of internal injuries and broken bones and they do not know to what degree he will recover, but this is nothing short of a miracle that he is alive - people generally do not survive a fall of this magnitude. The world owes a great debt of gratitude to all the search and rescue folks around the globe - the job they do is unbelievable. Thank you for all of your prayers..."
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Later Tim brought the small branch from the tree to the family at the hospital.
A single little tree. A single little branch, but so very many lives changed...
This branch has become a symbol of the miracle of Austin's survival of his 100 foot fall.
★ ° ☾ ☆
You live as long as you are remembered.
~ Russian Proverb
★ ° ☾ ☆
...gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind...
I know. But I do not approve. I am not resigned...
~ by Edna St. Vincent Millay
★ ° ☾ ☆
Listen for Angels
hovering near,
whispering words
you long to hear,
love is not over
life is not gone
now and forever,
the spirit lives on.
★ ° ☾ ☆
for everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under Heaven:
a time to be born, a time to die,
a time to plant, a time to uproot,
a time to weep, a time to laugh,
a time to grieve, a time to dance"
~ King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3)
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Don't Cry for me...
If you could only see where I'm at now, you wouldn't cry for me. All of Heavens Angels met me when I arrived and I was met by Jesus with a loving embrace. I walked side by side with old friends and family alike. Don't cry for me because here there is no trace of sickness or sadness only His loving Grace. The beauty is beyond words and nothing I could say would compare. Don't cry for me because I am in a far better place, with streets of gold just like we were told. So please remember don't cry for me but rather rejoice for I can hear angels sing. Oh, how much peace their voices bring.
by John G. Ward & Matthew E
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♥ When they walk through the valley of weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains ♥ Psalms 84:6
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You can shed tears that I am gone.
Or you can smile because I lived.
You can close your eyes
and pray that I will come back
Or you can open your eyes
and see all that I left.
Your heart can be empty
because you can't see me
Or you can be full
of the love we shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow
and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember me
and only that I am gone
Or you can cherish my memory
and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what I'd want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
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I think if Austin could say anything to us it would be for us to love and go on with our lives and he'll see us in heaven
bjv
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Sept. 3, 2015
In the months since Austin's soul left this world for his promised mansion, his mom, Gina, has shared with friends that she has spent many hours and days walking cemeteries, looking for ideas for her precious child's stone.
Finally she knew what she wanted and on Austin's 22nd birthday, she, other family members and friends gathered at this grave for the setting of his stone. They celebrated his life and the legacy of love he left for them.
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A LOVING TRIBUTE ♥¸.•*´¯♥
(¯`•♥•´¯)☆ ♥ FOR THIS
*`•.¸(¯`•♥•´¯)¸.•♥♥ BELOVED
☆ º ` `•.¸.•´ « ♥♥ SPECIAL
... ♫ ♥¸.•*´¯♥ ❤ ANGEL
(¸.•´ (¸.•¨¯`♥`*•.¸
♥ •●۰FOREVER LOVED & MISSED۰●• ♥¸.•*´¯♥
★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ ° ★ . * . .. • ○ ° ★ . • ○ ° ★ ° .Austin • ★ ° . . ☾ °☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :. . • ○ ° ★ • ★ ° . . Son ☾ °☆. * . . ° . Brother ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. ● . ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. . • ○ ° ★ ★ ° ☾ ☆ . Grandson * . . ¸ . ° ★ ¸. * ● ¸ . ° ☾ ° ¸. ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ Uncle . ° . • ○ ° ★ . *Cousin . ☾ ° ¸. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ¸. ★ ° . • ★ °. * ● ¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ★ ° ☾ ☆ Friend¸ ° ☾ ° ☆ . * . ☾ ° ☆ . * ● ¸ . ★ ° :.Classmate . • ○ ° . * . . ° . ● . ° ☾ ° ☆ ¸. • ★ ° ☾ ☆ ¸. ¸ ★ :. • ○ °
☆.*★ Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,
but rather openings where our loved ones
shine through to let us know they are safe and happy ★.*☆¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
Austin Thomas Elder, 19, of Fort Smith, died December 14, 2012 in Springfield, MO. He was born September 2, 1993 in Fort Smith to Danny R. Elder and Gina Michele Angeletti Elder. He was a graduate of Southside High School where he was passionate about football and was a 7A All Region Defensive Back. He was a member of the SHS Rebel Football, The Native American Tribesman, The Earth Club, UFO Club, Disc Golf Club and the Extreme Outdoor Enthusiasts. He spent a lot of his time camping out, hiking, taking photos of sunsets, and looking at the stars.
Austin had just finished his first semester at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
He was a member of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior when he was 11 years old. He loved his family and friends unconditionally; he was very loyal and had many many friends. His loyalty and his love were an inspiration to all who knew him. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved nature.
He is survived by his mother, Gina Angeletti Elder, his father, Danny Elder of Fort Smith; one sister, Brittany and husband Matt Przybysz of Fort Smith; maternal grandparents, Tom and Wanda Clayton of Fort Smith and Floyd and Freda Angeletti of Benton, AR. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Theo and Louise Elder.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Grand Avenue Baptist Church with burial to follow in Oak Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Alex Bare, Zachery Elder, Mathias Elder, Thaddeus Elder, Coach Williams, and Coach Fimple.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Abe Artaga, Walt Blythe, Nathan Bolton, Drew Comer, Jake Childress, Adam Fitts, Thomas Hanna, Matt Hartstein, Adam Lucus, Alex Mann, Sam Snyder, and Chris Villafranca.
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UAFS Student Injured In Fall Declared Brain Dead; Former Teammates Praise Him
By Kevin Taylor
Times Record [email protected]
A University of Fort Smith student who fell off a bluff early Saturday was declared brain dead Thursday.
Austin Elder, 19, was declared brain dead Thursday at a Springfield, Mo., hospital following complications from his fall of 100 feet off Hawksbill Crag, a bluff overlooking a large canyon in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area in Newton County, early Saturday.
Southside football coaches confirmed Elder's family has decided to keep him on life support until he's transported to St. Louis, where his organs will go to those in need of transplants.
According to a Thursday afternoon post on the "Prayers for Austin Elder" Facebook page, Elder chose to be an organ donor when he renewed his driver's license. "He was adamant that he wanted to be a donor," the post states. "That conversation was part of God's perfect plan. Austin fell 100 feet, but God used that small maple tree to keep his organs from being damaged so he could save 5 to 8 other people. We have so much to say to all of you, but may not get them said today. We can't tell you how much we love you all and we thank you for allowing God to use you all to bless this family."
Elder was a former Southside football player who played defensive back.
"It's hard to talk about," Southside coach Jeff Williams said. "He's a special young man. One thing around here, we have a football family, and when you lose one of the family it's hard on everybody."
"He was the kid that I think every coach enjoys seeing," Southside assistant football coach Keith Fimple said. "Because of his physical stature, people were always telling him there's no way you can play. When you see the success on the field, it melts your heart."
The 5-6, 150-pound Elder was what Fimple described as a "typical Rebel football player."
"I saw him get hit by a quarterback at West Memphis one night (2010) and he bounced up like a rubber ball," Fimple said. "He's the type of kid we have around here. People told him he couldn't do it, but he always found a way. He started 16 football games and never allowed a touchdown pass (to the receiver he was covering). Amazing."
"He was the littlest kid on the football field, yet he played with the biggest heart, there's no other way to describe it," Williams said. "He comes by the office about every two weeks to see us."
Elder was a student at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
"My sophomore year we went to West Memphis and he got decapitated by their quarterback on a reverse," Southside senior Garrett Wolfe said. "It was one of the hardest high school hits I ever saw. He laid there for about five minutes and he was back on the field a few plays later."
Ramsey coach nicknamed Elder and former Rebel teammate Dylan Reynolds the "mighty mites" when they were in the seventh grade. The nickname stuck, Reynolds said.
"Austin and I earned the nickname 'mighty mites' from coach (Prewitt), and ever since on the football field we were a pair," Reynolds said.
Fimple believes Elder, who had gone to camp with Thomas Hanna, might have been disoriented by the fog. The accident is believed to have happened about 2:30 a.m. while he and Hanna were looking at the stars.
Hanna went for help and authorities couldn't get to Elder until 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
According to the "Prayers" Facebook page, Elder suffered two strokes Wednesday that left him without brain function.
"Austin impacted me when I was a senior and he was a sophomore," former Rebel Spencer Tooley said. "We both played receiver and I got the pleasure of seeing him quite often. He really stood out to me; you could just tell he was a good person to be around. He was inspiring to those around him."
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On Dec 14, with his parents on either side of him, each holding one of his hands, the ventilator was unhooked and as Austin took his last breath as they sang, "Jesus Loves Me"
Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong—
They are weak, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
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April 29, 2013
"Austin's mom added this to her Facebook page about her precious Austin, along with the pictures of the family on the Hawksbill Crag and at the tree that slowed Austin's fall. Both pictures were taken in the last few days."
When you have a son who is all boy, fearless and adventurous, like Austin, you feel the need to discuss his safety. I always told him at the end of such conversations, "you know that I can't live without you." He always laughed and would say, "Mom, nothing is going to happen to me and I will always be here for you." Of course, I never thought he would ever actually die. I just felt better when he reassured me he was being careful. I have been told by his friends that he was always careful on their adventures. So, I am sadder than sad without my precious son, Austin.
It always upsets me when I hear people say that it was so stupid to be so close to the edge, and I have heard other remarks along those lines. I agree that being where Austin was at 2:30 a.m. on a mountain in the dark was not the safest place to be, but I just could not get peace about the fall because I knew Austin was not stupid. I knew he loved life, and more than anything, I knew he would never leave me.
Yesterday Tim Ernst, who led the rescuers down below the bluff to Austin, took Austin's family and showed us where Austin was camping, exactly the spot he fell from, and took us down below the Crag to where he landed. We learned that he did not fall from the Crag where he had laid and stared at the stars. It was actually a little distance east of the Crag, around another big rock with dirt and gravel that slopes downward. We now understand how he probably got turned around in the fog and lost his footing on the gravel where the ground had a steep downward slope. Seeing this spot has answered so many questions for me.
The time lapse had also haunted me regarding how long it took to get to Austin. He fell at 2:30 a.m., with many factors involved, Austin was not lifted to the top of the Crag until around 9:30 a.m. After hiking the exact trail, which isn't really a trail, the many rescuers hiked to help my son, we are amazed at all their efforts. The real heroes are the first responders. Most of them are volunteers and are there on their own time just to do what they can to help. I loved reading Tim Ernst's journal when he described finding Austin. "The person came into view and the mood was somber as they approached, and then all of the sudden one the paramedics yelled out "he is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes."
Austin's family, with grateful hearts, wants to thank all of you who helped with the rescue of our precious Austin. Thank you again Tim Ernst, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. National Park Service, Newton County Sheriff Keith Slape (we know of the loving perspective you have for each and every rescue), Buffalo Search & Rescue, Newton County Search & Rescue, and Arkansas Forestry Commission. Thank you NARMC for stabilizing him and securing him in the liter. To BUFFSAR for the technical raising operation directly over the point. To the ParkMedic who bagged Austin "giving him airway assistance" while being lifted in the liter up the side of the mountain. To the EMT who was ascending on a separate rope system, while suctioning Austin's airway. To all the men who carried that heavy liter basket with Austin up that steep hill to the ambulance. To Glenn Wheeler who was the post commander and helped with his medical care when Austin reached the top of the Crag. We recognize all your heroic efforts with heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for what you do every day to help others. We also want to thank all the medical staff at both hospitals, in Harrison and Springfield, who did everything possible to save my son, and for all of your love and hugs while we were with you.
Many of you may know Tim Ernst as the great artist that he is, but he is my hero. He and his sweet wife, Pam, drove all the way to Springfield, MO., to bring us the branch that broke off the Maple tree that slowed Austin's fall. Tim has a big heart for others and has given countless hours of his time to assist with other rescues. Today he blessed our family by kindly showing us everything that pertained to this accident. We put a yellow ribbon around the Maple tree that broke Austin's fall. Then I prayed, and Austin's father, Danny, prayed underneath the Maple tree. It was the most beautiful day and I see why Austin loved and appreciated God's beautiful creation. You can look at Tim's beautiful work at TimErnstPhotography.com.
Satan tries to get me to relive the accident from the beginning to the end and he tries to let me imagine everything my son would have thought or felt. As a mother who knows how the devil picks at you, I am asking you to please pray a hedge of protection around his dear friend Thomas "Lucky" Hanna who did all he could to help Austin. Pray Lucky will only have good memories. He lost one of his best friends and he is suffering too. Please keep this precious young man in your prayers as well.
This mother's heart is broken, but still able to see how Austin always had the biggest heart. His life was shorter than I wanted, but his life keeps touching so many hearts. I miss my momma's boy! I know my son clearly fought to stay here with us. Who lives after falling 100 feet, landing between large rocks, and goes 7 hours before reaching the top of the Crag? That is a Miracle. Clearly, an Angel, or Jesus Himself, told Austin his mother will be OK or he would not have left me. I can't help but grieve my son not being here, but I am trying to keep focused on the eternal, and not the temporary circumstances. Austin beat me to our eternal home, "Heaven". Our time was short here on earth together, but I will get to spend eternity with him. "We don't look at the troubles we can see now, rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever" (2 Cor. 4:18).
I am human, so there are times I fall from the fiery darts of the enemy. We just discussed this in Grief Share. May you learn from my mistakes, find encouragement in your current circumstances, find a renewed thankfulness for your loved ones, and when you don't understand your circumstance, you have faith in the unseen. May you know the devil is darkness, and wants us to feel hopelessness and despair. Know that God's love is unfailing, His goodness is endless, His grace is amazing, and He is the only one who can comfort us and promises to heal the broken hearted and crushed in spirit. In His Presence is where you can find strength, comfort and peace.
With a grateful heart!
Gina
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When you remember me,
it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.
It means that you can summon me back to your mind
even though countless years and miles may stand between us.
It means that if we meet again, you will know me.
It means that even after I die,
you can still see my face and hear my voice
and speak to me in your heart.
For as long as you remember me,
I am never entirely lost.
12.24.2013
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Tim Ernst lives close to where Austin fell from Hawksbill Crag and lead the rescue party to the bluff.
"From Tim Ernst's Blog:
I was up early today working in the print room trying to get ready for our open house today, but did not expect the approaching headlights. There were two, three, four emergency vehicles headed into our place before daylight. I spoke with them and found out that someone had fallen off the bluff line near Hawksbill Crag during the night, and they were trying to find the parking spot to gain access to the area. I drove up to the Faddis cabin and led a team of first responders and other emergency personnel down to the Crag, where we could see a person on the ground below - it was just getting daylight by this time, but it was foggy.
The group split up with half of them remaining on top of the bluff while I took the others down through a split in the bluff line about a half mile beyond the Crag. As we passed underneath the Crag and the person came into view, it was obvious this had been a terrible fall with little chance of survival. I have measured it with a measuring tape before, and it is exactly 100 feet from the top of the bluff to the forest floor below. We were all somber as we approached, and then all of a sudden one of the paramedics yelled out "He is breathing!" We all saw it. A miracle had happened right before our eyes.
I could only stand back and watch as these three guys kicked it into high gear and attended to the needs of the injured young man. They called up on the radio to the command post at the Faddis cabin that had already been set up, and dozens of other rescue folks jumped into action, including literally running additional supplies down the steep hillside to the top of the bluff above us, where someone came down the ropes they had set up. I know this has been witnessed and said many times before, but it is amazing what these Search & Rescue guys do, how well they do it, and how FAST they do it.
Looking around I noticed a small tree next to the injured young man. About eight or ten feet up the tree was the stob of a freshly-broken branch. And on the ground below was the branch. It appeared to me that this little tree had broken his free-fall, and was probably the reason why he was still alive. A single little tree.
As the paramedics worked I was no longer of any use and just in the way so I made my way back to the top of the bluff and out to the Faddis cabin, where there were dozens of emergency vehicles at the command post. It has scarcely been an hour since I met the headlights in the driveway in the dark.
While all of this was going on, a neighbor brought the injured man's friend who had been camping with him to our cabin so that he could phone his dad. He had been wandering around in the darkness for quite a while trying to get a cell signal to call for help.
I was not present for the rest of the evacuation, but I have been told that the injured young man was still alive when they reached the waiting ambulance at the Faddis cabin. They raised him up over the bluff right at Hawksbill Crag, then carried him up a steep and rough old trail trace out. He was driven to the hospital and then flown to another emergency care unit. Due to the fog in the area this morning they were not able to fly a helicopter to our area to pick him up.
And I have VERY GOOD NEWS LATE TONIGHT. I just talked with Glenn Wheeler, one of the rescue team commanders, a few minutes ago and was told that the young man is alive and stabilized in the hospital tonight. He has a lot of internal injuries and broken bones and they do not know to what degree he will recover, but this is nothing short of a miracle that he is alive - people generally do not survive a fall of this magnitude. The world owes a great debt of gratitude to all the search and rescue folks around the globe - the job they do is unbelievable. Thank you for all of your prayers..."
● ¸ . ★ ° . • ° . . ¸ . ● ¸ ★ ★ ☾ ° ★ . . ° ☆ . ● ¸ . ★ ° . • ○ ° ★ .
Later Tim brought the small branch from the tree to the family at the hospital.
A single little tree. A single little branch, but so very many lives changed...
This branch has become a symbol of the miracle of Austin's survival of his 100 foot fall.
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You live as long as you are remembered.
~ Russian Proverb
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...gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind...
I know. But I do not approve. I am not resigned...
~ by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Listen for Angels
hovering near,
whispering words
you long to hear,
love is not over
life is not gone
now and forever,
the spirit lives on.
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for everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under Heaven:
a time to be born, a time to die,
a time to plant, a time to uproot,
a time to weep, a time to laugh,
a time to grieve, a time to dance"
~ King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 3)
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Don't Cry for me...
If you could only see where I'm at now, you wouldn't cry for me. All of Heavens Angels met me when I arrived and I was met by Jesus with a loving embrace. I walked side by side with old friends and family alike. Don't cry for me because here there is no trace of sickness or sadness only His loving Grace. The beauty is beyond words and nothing I could say would compare. Don't cry for me because I am in a far better place, with streets of gold just like we were told. So please remember don't cry for me but rather rejoice for I can hear angels sing. Oh, how much peace their voices bring.
by John G. Ward & Matthew E
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♥ When they walk through the valley of weeping it will become a place of springs where pools of blessing and refreshment collect after rains ♥ Psalms 84:6
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You can shed tears that I am gone.
Or you can smile because I lived.
You can close your eyes
and pray that I will come back
Or you can open your eyes
and see all that I left.
Your heart can be empty
because you can't see me
Or you can be full
of the love we shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow
and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow
because of yesterday.
You can remember me
and only that I am gone
Or you can cherish my memory
and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what I'd want:
smile, open your eyes,
love and go on.
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I think if Austin could say anything to us it would be for us to love and go on with our lives and he'll see us in heaven
bjv
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Sept. 3, 2015
In the months since Austin's soul left this world for his promised mansion, his mom, Gina, has shared with friends that she has spent many hours and days walking cemeteries, looking for ideas for her precious child's stone.
Finally she knew what she wanted and on Austin's 22nd birthday, she, other family members and friends gathered at this grave for the setting of his stone. They celebrated his life and the legacy of love he left for them.
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