Our
Sweet Corbin
June 28, 2008
Can
you believe it has been two years since our sweet Corbin
has gone home to be with Jesus? We are amazed at how God
has worked in our life over these past two years. We wanted
to share with you how we are doing and how much we see God’s
care, love and grace in our lives.
The
first year was a blur of firsts and many painful moments.
Out of it came the CMG Heart Foundation and Corbin’s Fun
Run and a love to help others. The second year we have had
a few more firsts. This year we placed Gunnar, Aiden and
Brodie in public school. I must say both I and the boys
were very nervous over this transition. Yet, we have watched
the boys blossom in their education under the care of Clifton
Elementary and their loving teachers.
I
had the joy of speaking at the women’s meetings about the
care we have received from the amazing ladies in our church.
I can’t even begin to write here how much this care has
helped me stay focused on the truth – God’s Love and the
work on the Cross.
We
also have seen an amazing growth in our foundation. We have
had the joy of seeing our local town support our efforts
in raising awareness and funds for Children’s Hospital.
Then the support the local businesses have given us with
Corbin’s Fun Run this coming July has been amazing. We even
have a local radio station coming as well.
With
sadness one of Corbin’s sweet friends passed away this May.
I had the privilege of being with his family in the hospital
to love on him prior to his passing and to pray with the
family. Travis and I attended the funeral of our sweet friend
and we pray that we can bring comfort to our friends during
this difficult time.
For
us our worst day when Corbin passed away was his very best
day. We miss him greatly still. Yet, we are rejoicing that
he is in heaven. We are not angry or even sad about Corbin’s
death. We love talking about him and remembering how funny,
sweet, spunky, and joyful he was. We thank God for giving
us Corbin for those 23 months . We ask that you Thank God
with us this week for the work he has done in our lives
and continues to do.
All
our love
Travis,
Terri
Gunnar,
Aiden and Brodie
posts
are edited from Corbin's
Care page see
there for more detail
June
03, 2007
I
wanted to give you an update on how we are doing and what
are doing.
For
the biggest news of all!!!! It is official, The Corbin Marc
Grabb Foundation is a Non-profit public charity with 501
c 3 status! Yes, we received our letter from the IRS and
we are legal! How exciting is that? www.corbinmarcgrabb.net
The
First Annual Corbin Fun Run is in full swing. If you are
planning to attend please let us know, www.corbinsfunrun.net.
We do have a limit on registration due to where the location
is so register early! We pray that we can make plenty of
money for Tender Hearts and CHD research. Remember that
all money you donate to the fund is now tax exempt!!!
The
boys finished their home school co op this past week. They
did a great job in the year end event. We also registered
Brodie for Kindergarten at our local school. Brodie rode
the school bus and is looking forward to going to school
like a big boy.
Travis
is doing well. He races once a month and is enjoying the
time on the track.
My
sister Sherri, who is an amazing quilter, made a patchwork
heart quilt and we are selling raffle tickets for it. If
you are interested in buying raffle tickets for an incredible
quilt please email me at tgrabb@cox.net. The quilt is twin
size. The tickets are 1 for 1.00, 6 tickets for 5.00, 15
tickets for 10.00. Check out the photos in the gallery.
I just came back from U of M. I attended the memorial service
for the children that passed this past year. It was difficult
but good to see our wonderful U of M family.
How
are we doing with Corbin's Anniversary coming up? That is
a question we get a lot. We are doing ok. Some days are
hard but we have a great group of friends around us to help
us remember God's truth and promises to us. They never let
us wallow in our sadness and help us walk in truth.
As
we approach the date of Corbin's Passing I would like to
ask you to celebrate with us. Corbin will have been in Jesus'
arms a full year. How can we celebrate the passing of our
son, many of you may be asking? We do not view it as Corbin's
passing. We view it as a full year of the most amazing life
Corbin has had pain free, full of the most amazing joy and
peace we could not even begin to imagine at the feet of
Jesus. So we ask you to celebrate with us in spirit, as
we end our first year of Corbin in Jesus' Arms.
Thank
you,
God bless,
Terri and Crew
December
30, 2006
For unto us is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Terri
asked me to write a Christmas “re-cap” and as I sit down
to write, these words keep ringing in my heart. Yes, unto
us was born a Savior, and I have never needed our Savior
more than today, more than yesterday, and every day to come.
The past year has been the most difficult in my life. But
then again, as I’ve said before, I wouldn’t trade 2006 for
anything. The immeasurable grief and sadness of Corbin’s
death has taken its toll on us all, but never have we needed
our Savior more; for His strength is made perfect in our
weakness. He has been strong when we have been weak. When
we have been uncertain how to take the next small step,
His promises have been true and He has carried us, providing
glimpses of Corbin’s eternal life with Him – the promise
for us, as well. When all seemed lost and we were in despair,
He has given us Hope for today, Grace for the moment, peace
in the present and strength to face tomorrow.
This
Christmas was like every other, in that Jesus was with us
-- but Corbin was not. Many things were the same long-held
traditions, but some things were not. Although Corbin was
only with us for two Christmas’, his absence was a void
greater than that, but a hope far larger. God again provided
a glimpse of His goodness, when our dear “heart friend”,
David called me and blessed me with his wisdom and the love
of Christ, once again. He reminded me how great is God’s
love for us, that God would carry words across the world
to lighten my burden and give me peace for Christmas Day.
Although I cannot quote him precisely, my heart heard, “although
there will be an empty seat around your table this Christmas,
may it be filled with the presence of the Lord.” And each
time I was tempted to sadness, I was reminded of David’s
words, his blessing to us, and called on the Lord to fill
the empty seat. I would never know David, but through Corbin’s
trial.
This
Christmas was like no other. In my home there were no “little
ones” with excited expectation, but the three teens and
one young adult brought a new season of Christmas to our
home. At Travis’ and Terri’s home her sister, Kim, came
to share the holiday, blessing Terri with her “can-do” attitude
and humble service. God gave them all the strength and peace
to attend our church meetings, join in fellowship gatherings,
and even start a new caroling tradition in our neighborhood.
The excitement and JOY in the 3 boys’ faces was our reminder
that this was all good. Travis and Terri were blessed by
teaching from our pastor that helped to prepare their grieving
hearts for Christmas and the love and joy of Christ reigned
throughout the day. They are looking to the “mission field”
between their feet and made a wonderful celebration of our
Savior for all. They have given their boys and my family
a tremendous Christmas gift, to be received in 2007. We
will all travel together to Disney World! The boys, our
children, “Pa” and I are overwhelmed by their generosity
and are so excited about the adventure of enjoying our first
whole-family vacation in the warm sun and fun of Florida.
We are remembering Corbin constantly and creating physical
reminders, but creating new memories with those the Lord
has put together in this place for this time.
Since
Christmas, Terri and the boys have succumbed to a stomach
virus and have been laid up. Our family has been consumed
with 6 performances of the “Nutcracker” ballet and prepare
for a 5K fund-raiser race tomorrow before praying-in the
New Year with friends who also lost their two-year-old this
past summer. God’s grace gives us hope and we look forward
to 2007.
As
we look back at 2006, we are not overcome by the loss of
Corbin, but we are overwhelmed by the love of a Savior,
who showed Himself magnificently through Corbin’s life and
through each of you who remind us of love, service, kindness,
caring. How kind of God to allow us to know YOU in this
life. We pray for you the blessings of our Savior throughout
2007. May you receive Him, Who was born for YOU, and carry
Him in your heart forever. And may Christ bring you peace
and comfort in your circumstances, for that is the Lord’s
will for You.
May
God be Glorified THIS day,
GrandPenny
November
06, 2006
I
wanted to give a re-cap of the Heart Walk that TenderHearts
did in Memory of Corbin. They did an awesome job. It started
out at 8am for Beckie. She worked so hard to put together
this day for all of us. Her efforts were amazing. We arrived
to find a huge banner that had the boys walking through
our yard and Corbin and my picture on it. It was incredible.
I don’t think I will ever be able to describe how
loved our family felt that day. Thank you to all who came
out, to the many who donated and the many who supported
us.
We
made shirts for the children and handed out buttons that
said Fight CHD with Corbin’s picture. The weather
was great, yes a little on the chilly side but wonderfully
sunny. We ended the day with lunch at Brion’s Grille,
with many laughs as sweet Kate Yawney named her veggies
and Zachary Steele showed his amazing spunk. Then, as we
felt the day couldn’t have been any better Tender
Hearts presented us with a Tree of Hope. This tree had special
ornaments made in memory of Corbin from the families that
walked. It was the most beautiful gift we have ever received.
We have it up in our dining room and may never take it down.
Each ornament was selected and given with such love. Thank
you so much. We love each ornament and find joy in each
one that you have given us.
One
ornament had a story written on it by our good friend Diane
James. She wrote exactly how we see our son’s life.
No other words could say it better than hers so we wanted
to share those words she wrote with you. Thank you again
Diane.
“Before
God formed Corbin in his mother’s womb,
He determined a specific plan and purpose for Corbin’s
life.
God didn’t plan a long life for Corbin on earth,
But He gave Corbin a very big job, one only Corbin could
do.
In less than two years, this little boy taught people some
very big lessons.
He taught people how to care deeply for one another.
He taught people how to sacrifice for loved ones.
He taught people how to persevere.
He taught people how to find joy in pain and suffering.
He taught people where to find God and how to pray fervently
to him.
He taught people around the globe how to unite in prayer.
He taught people that a man’s days are like grass
And that our only real hope is in heaven.
Corbin went to heaven before us, but those who hope in Him
Will spend eternity with Corbin when God calls us home.
And in the meantime, Corbin is basking
In the sweet presence of our Savior.
Praise be to God.”
Thank
you God for blessing us with Corbin for the most wonderful
23 months of our lives.
With much love, hope and prayers,
The Grabb Family
May God be glorified this day!
November 02, 2006 at 08:47 AM EST
We
are also coming up on Corbin’s heart walk this Saturday.
The Tender Heart group has done an amazing job. We have
raised over 14,000.00. We have families coming from all
over to join us as we walk in Memory of our Amazing Son.
I
have not sent out thank you cards to the many who have sent
letters, notes, and gifts; Who sat beside me in the hospital,
who washed our clothes, did our Ronald McDonald House chores,
and the many that made meals, along with the many who faithfully
held us up in prayers. The task is far too daunting as I
look at the pages and pages of people who supported us.
Yet that does not mean we are not thankful. For we truly
are grateful and thank God for each one of you. Thank you
for loving our family and our beautiful son.
God
Bless,
Terri and Family
October 18, 2006 at 10:27 PM EDT
Thank you so much for your love and support.
I
am not sure why God has blessed us so much with so many
wonderful people to care and support us when we are weak.
I am home again with the boys and Travis. These past three
weeks were difficult at best.
People
have been asking how we are doing. That is a hard question
to answer at best. Most times I am not sure how I am doing.
Just trying to get through the day. The boys are doing OK.
Brodie took a lot of steps back in me leaving him again
and is very afraid all over. Aiden cries a lot at any little
thing happening. Gunnar is his silent self, but he seems
to be the one doing the best of the three.
This
being said that does not mean we have lost hope. Our hope
is still in Him who has victory over death. Our hope is
in the Truth. God loves us even during our hardest times.
He does not promise us an easy life here on earth but he
does promise us his Love, and eternity with him. God does
not promise us a life free of trials but he will help us
through them. Those are the promises we cling to.
Thank
you my friends for holding us up during this difficult time.
God Bless,
Terri and Family
October 08, 2006
Terri's dad, Arthur Bonasse, passed away this morning just
before noon. He was surrounded by his children, for which
we are thankful. Though several had to return home since
Art first went into the hospital, they were able to return
when his condition became imminent.
Please
pray for Terri and her siblings. Pray of course for comfort
and peace, and for practical matters as they make the necessary
arrangements. Pray also for Art's extended family as they
travel for the funeral. Most of all, pray that the Gospel
of Jesus Christ would both go out and be received during
and through this time of mourning.
Travis
October
02, 2006
This is Jen Vercammen updating for Terri,
Terri
has been without phone/internet service for the majority
of the day. Her Dad made it off of the ECMO (heart pump)
today. PRAISE GOD! His heart is still pretty damaged and
is in critical condition. He's on many medications for his
heart and also for an infection he has on top of pneumonia
in both lungs. The Doctors are worried that his heart is
too weak to fight off the infection and pneumonia. He is
relying heavily on the vent at this time, he was trialed
off unsuccessfully earlier today. His he on 80% oxygen with
O2 saturations hanging around 88%. He has also had some
unsteady heart rhythms.
Tomorrow
will be a day of rest and trying to rid his body of the
infections. Prayer requests for his body to be rid of the
infection and pneumonia, heart function to improve, and
no long term disabilities from the hit his heart and body
took. Also please pray for Terri..having to step back into
this atmosphere so soon, and her boys...having mom back
in the hospital environment must be hard on them as well.
Psalm
73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength
of my heart and my portion forever.
Jen
Vercammen for Terri
September
29, 2006
Today I received a phone call that my Dad was taken to the
ambulance to the hospital. Just yesterday he was outside
doing great. Today he has been taken by ambulance to Marquette
Hospital in Michigan. They have told us to gather the family
as it looks grim. After 12 hours of frantic travel by flight,
I am here at the hospital.
My
Dad is on the vent (full support) with a balloon pressure
cuff in the leg artery to keep his pressure up, and his
heart is functioning at only 40 to 50%. So we wait and pray
for his heart to regain function. The Doctors are not sure
what happened or why, we are waiting for more answers. Please
keep my family in your prayers.
This
day is hard enough with it being Corbin's 3 month anniversary
of entering heaven. Please pray for peace for our family.
For the boys not to worry as once again Mommy had to fly
off to the hospital. For Travis as he cares for the boys
and works to keep all functioning at home. For my sisters
and I as they remind us over and over how sick our father
is. Pray we can remember who is ultimately in control and
who cares for us and loves each of us. Pray that the decisions
we would make for my Dad would be ones we are comfortable
with. That we will not have to make any that are difficult.
For protection against human error.
Thank
you for your prayers and support.
Terri
August
29, 2006
Two Months
Yes,
it really has been two whole months since Corbin joined
Jesus in heaven. Its hard to believe we have made it through
two months without him with us here.
We
are getting by. Travis has been staying busy with his Auto
Cross Racing. He actually won a trophy! Gunnar and Aiden
have begun home school. They start a weekly co op class
here soon, that I am volunteering to serve at. All three
boys will begin soccer on Wednesdays. I am coaching Brodie's
team. They also begin Awana's next week. So we will be busy
with their school activities. I am staying busy by painting
our home and yard work. Something that really needed to
be done but never was able to get to.
We
are doing a few things to honor Corbin's strength and courage
during his fight against CHD. We are making bracelets and
necklaces that the boys refer to Corbin's Heart. They are
simple with just a leather band and a heart pendant. We
will be selling them on our family website to raise money
for CHD and families. We are also walking in the American
Heart Walk this November 4th in Washington DC. The local
heart group here in our area who has supported and cared
for our family is honoring Corbin by walking in his memory
this year.
The
boys are still making Corbin's Lovies that they are dropping
off at the hospitals for the babies. Something they enjoy
making and doing to bring other babies comfort too.
So
we are staying busy and fully relying on God to bring us
through the hardest time we have ever faced.
Love,
Terri and Family
www.grabbfamily.com
The information is under Fundraising
August
20, 2006
"Praise
be to the God and Faither of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts
us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in
any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received
from God." 2 Cor 1:3-4
These
words of Truth came in a card not long ago from a dear friend
who continues to pray for us and think of us. How kind of
God to surround us with such saints. The same words were
expressed to me in a phone call just days before. Your cards
of comfort and kind words when we see you truly do comfort
and sustain us. Yes, it's very hard to be left here without
Corbin, but I love to hear people say his name, ask about
us and ask about him. I still run into people almost daily
who ask "and how is your grandson?" God had given
me a reply in preparation for these encounters and I rejoice
in the smile and joyful response I can give that lets people
know how very much we appreciate their remembering our Corbin.
I hope we will always continue to speak of him and remember
every detail of this precious child God shared with us.
Back
to the verse of comfort. I knew at the time of Corbin's
passing that I was being taught how to comfort others by
observing how we were being served and comforted. What I
didn't know was that God would call on our family, exactly
one month after Corbin's death, to comfort our friends in
the loss of their boy who was exactly one month younger
than Corbin. We replayed the late night vigils in their
home, preparation of the memorial service program, guest
pages, album and display, as we were in "shock"
that this "healthy" child could now also be gone.
As we celebrated his life, exactly one month after Corbin's
service, THE FATHER of this child comforted us with the
most powerful gospel message I've ever heard. Although we
were very surprised by the child's passing, it was no surprise
for God. In fact, God had been preparing this man for 25
years for this loss and now was his chance to glorify God
through it. As tremendous as our grief has been in this
additional loss, God has also used it toward healing the
pain of losing Corbin. This weekend we also celebrated this
little boy's second birthday, joining Corbin in heaven.
My
wise and faithful friend also wrote this in her recent card,
"When a child loses his parent, they are called an
orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are
called a widow or widower. When paretns lose their child,
there isn't a word to describe them."
President Ronald Reagan
Well,
I watch Terri and Travis, and our friends and I know many
words to describe them, but none I'd wish to attach as a
permanent label. The pain will always be there, but praise
God that His Word is Truth. Praise God that we can know
that 2 Corinthians promises that we have a Father of all
comfort, for any trouble. Praise God that this pain, grief
and struggle will not be for naught as He will allow us
to comfort others amongst us until we, too, sit at His feet.
Yes, it was very hard to comfort our friends, but such a
privilege to stand beside them, to help hold them up, to
share their grief and pain and, especially, their tremendous
faith, and to remember Corbin.
I
cannot speak for Terri and Travis, their struggles, their
sorrow, their pain. But I can tell you that they are glorifying
God in their commitment to each other and to their boys.
Terri and the boys returned early from their trip to Michigan
and Terri is doing a great job of serving the "mission
field" between her two feet daily. She is managing
her home, caring for her boys, getting their homeschool
underway, planning their soccer season and co-op classes.
The family has plans for serving in a church ministry despite
the pain of loss and constantly missing Corbin. I can't
tell you how they do it. I can tell you though, that most
days I wake up and don't want to get out of bed. I then
preach the gospel to myself and ask God, "What one
thing can I do today to glorify you, God. When He has spoken
His Truth to me, I get up and get going, focusing only on
that one thing. Thankfully, He carries me to many other
tasks after spending time in devotion to Him. Oh, the sweetness
of God's word and the life it pours into my days.
Sorry,
getting a bit "preachy" here, but you have been
so kind to continue to think of us, to pray for our healing.
Although the cards are fewer now, they continue to "surprise
and delight" us regularly and we thank God for each
of you who have cared for Corbin and for our family.
I
will write again after Labor Day to share with you a wonderful
opportunity that has been presented to honor Corbin and
to help other children with congenital heart defects. Until
then, please know that we are comforted by your prayers
and caring, and may God be glorified THIS day.
GrandPenny
July
20, 2006
I've
been asked by Terri to provide the birthday message. Well,
GrandPenny is at a loss for words. I have no wisdom, no
lyrics, no scripture. I feel "spent" and I only
cry. No, I haven't lost faith, I know the Truth and although
I am comforted continually by God's amazing Grace, I also
hurt so very deeply in grief and sadness that I am actually
content to just cry. I am not angry nor discouraged, I am
just so incredibly sad. I have no doubt that the grieving
process is valuable, I just wish it weren't so painful.
I'm so sad that Corbin's precious parents must go through
the "what if" stage of grieving and that they
still awaken in a panic, forgetting where Corbin is or expecting
his passing to have been a bad dream. I watch the slideshow
that Terri prepared last night and wish that I could remember
more of the details I thought I'd never forget. What an
incredible job she's done of capturing Corbin's funny ways
and best of times. If you are not able to view the video
from this carepage, you might try this link to a page Lattany
prepared which also has photos of Corbin's first year:
http://www.geocities.com/lattanyhl/corbin_2ndbday.html
This
is what Lattany has shared with her friends today:
"At
this time on this day two years ago, I was in Michigan on
my way back to Terri's sister's house to resume caring for
my three older nephews. I had just spent the morning sitting
beside an incubator in the NICU with a little 8lb. 2 oz.
boy who had been born at 5:06 that morning. Though we were
very aware of the many challenges that would meet us in
the coming days, including Corbin's first open-heart surgery
which would take place on his third day of life in this
world, this was a wonderful time of rejoicing for the gift
we had received."
"At
this time on this day one year ago, we were gathered with
many of you for Corbin's first birthday celebration. We
tried to coax him into eating some cake, but he preferred
chewing the cardboard plate. Again, we basked in the grace
of God that sustained Corbin through a very difficult first
year and looked forward with anticipation to the grace that
would get us through the coming year, whatever it may hold."
"At
this time on this day, we grieve that Corbin is no longer
with us for we miss him terribly. I look through the pictures
and I can remember exactly what it feels like to have that
wiggly body in my arms and how he would giggle when I bounced
him up and down, yet he's not here to hold. And again, we
praise God for His goodness, mercy, faithfulness, and grace
never-ending."
"We
will spend this evening together with Terri and Travis and
their boys as a family. Though we deeply grieve our loss,
there is much reason to rejoice. God blessed the lives of
thousands through this young boy's twenty-three months on
this earth, and the impact is eternal. God used Corbin's
half-heart to teach us to love, trust, and live for Him
with our whole hearts. Please pray for all of us, especially
on this day. I won't attempt to list the unique challenges
of today, but our Father knows."
That
is the heart of a 17-year-old who grieves with the Hope
and Promise of a faithful God. Many of you have asked how
we are doing, how you can pray for us and what you can do
to help. We are struggling through the phases of mourning
a tremendous loss. Terri and Travis have good times with
their 3 boys and very sad times of overwhelming pain and
loss. They feel compelled to do some things and can't face
doing others. They are surrounded by family and friends
who love them, share their grief, serve them mightily, yet
know that this pain, grief and struggle is theirs alone.
This is a desert experience that only God can ease and they
continually rely on His comfort and faithfulness. The pastors
have provided tremendous support and as we said three weeks
ago today, we grieve, but we grieve with Hope. We know where
Corbin is and we know that we will go to him.
Thank
you for contributing to the map. You can view it in the
photo gallery section of Corbin's carepage. It is a tangible,
visual reminder to three little boys that thousands of people
not only prayed for their precious brother, but care for
their family. Terri still has MANY pins to place on the
maps and has to use larger and varied colored pins to represent
tens or hundreds of people. Wow, what an amazing act of
God to bring so many people together in the interest of
one small child. One small child who is precious to God
and to each of us.
Your
calls, gifts, messages, donations and acts of service have
continued to bless us. We have, unfortunately, had to give
up being able to thank each person individually and directly.
The list is in the hundreds and still we cannot recount
each name for each kindness. Please know that every sentiment
and act has blessed us, encouraged us and comforted us.
Please know that we thank you with gratefulness. Your lovingkindness
in each and every way has blessed us and honored God. We
praise God for you and ask you to accept our feeble attempt
to thank you.
It
is our prayer that God will have blessed you in some way
through the life of our precious Corbin Marc Grabb. It is
our desire that we have honored God in our love for Him
through this little one. It is our prayer that God has been
glorified THIS day as we gathered as a family to celebrate
Corbin's second birthday. We have felt your prayers and
appreciated your cards and calls. And we grieve our loss
of Corbin in this life with Hope because we stand firmly
on the Promises of our Faithful and Loving God who will
continue to comfort us by His amazing Grace in the hours,
days, months and years ahead, until we too stand in His
presence and complete our journey.
GrandPenny
