Date of Birth:
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Date of Death:
Saturday, December 17, 2022

Baby Reid Maverick John Willard

Our sweet Reid Maverick John,

We are so honored that our good God chose us to be your parents. You are one very special boy. Did you know that when Mommy was pregnant with you, Mommy and Daddy had a hard time picking out just the right name for you? We had this deep understanding in our hearts that you were going to be a very special boy with a big purpose. We were so excited to see what that would be. And we knew you needed a STRONG name. You have your Daddy’s middle name, “John” which means God has been gracious, or “graced by God”. Mommy knew you needed to have your Daddy’s middle name to represent the tenderness and goodness of our Lord, and also that sweet tenderness of heart your Daddy has that I knew would be within you too.

But we couldn’t stop there. Mommy said, this boy needs another name. I recall thinking and saying, “I don’t know why this little boy needs another name and one with a strong sound—but I think he is going to have some fire in his heart.” Then finally one day it came, “Maverick.” It burned within my heart, and I kept saying over and over: “Reid Maverick John.” I was at work and immediately sent a message to your Daddy to ask him if he liked it. Reid, your daddy is a man of patience and helps to slow me down and sit on ideas and decisions for a while before we make one. But yes, he agreed “Reid Maverick John” was meant for you.

Maverick came to Mommy before I knew what it meant. It means a man of free spirit, an independent thinker, not one who conforms. And then I realized our strong little boy with a big purpose we did not yet know of, was not going to conform to the world. I saw you standing strong for that which is good, that which is true and right. I saw the merging of both Maverick and John as the kindness and graciousness of our God and the strength and resolve to stand for that which is good and right. And then, Mommy and Daddy realized the deeper meaning and understanding of Maverick for you—you, our sweet son, are not of this world at all. You were meant for Heaven, and not the earth. As much as our heart breaks and yearns to hold you, to sing you lullabies, to be up with you at all hours of the night, completely sleep deprived but so full of love for you, and watch you learn and do all the firsts and see you turn into the strong and gracious man God made you to be—we use our eyes of faith to see and know that there is no safer place for you than nestled in the arms of Jesus in Heaven. We know he is holding you so dear, as He is holding us through this time.

Reid, there are so many sweet things that Mommy and Daddy have realized that God was doing to prepare our hearts for your arrival. Your room is decorated in planes. We felt you were meant to soar the skies, with no limitations. We wanted to instill in you a faith that soared. We did not realize of course at the time that you truly were meant to soar the skies.

Mommy picked out some clothes that were a deep green—an evergreen, feeling this was your color. Mommy and Daddy found ourselves saying throughout this pregnancy, “green for Reid!” You are wearing an evergreen sleeper for your “coming home outfit.” Mommy later looked up the meaning behind evergreen color after we learned you are with Jesus now and little love, evergreen trees, like pine trees, do not change in the fall or any season. They are the same throughout the year. Evergreen represents “timeless.” And during the Christmas season, we have Christmas trees, wreaths, garland—all an evergreen color–symbolizing “new life” and “a sign of hope that followers of Christ will live forever.” Your soul, our sweet son, is timeless. You have a new life with Jesus in Heaven, and we bring our hearts back to that comforting truth when we yearn to hold you physically here and give you kisses and love. Our sweet boy, we miss you dearly. Please know you were so loved every second of you growing in Mommy’s womb and kicking your daddy at night through Mommy’s tummy—we had so much anticipation for your big arrival. And your arrival was absolutely Divine. You knocked it out of the park! We couldn’t have imagined the purpose you have had and will continue to have in our lives. Thank you for blessing us with your precious life. We will love and cherish you forever in our hearts and cannot wait to see you and hold you again in Heaven.

Lastly, your Daddy said the other day through tears that he didn’t think it was possible to make Heaven any brighter, but he knew you were doing just that. You are truly our angel. Your big brother Rhett will know your name and how special you are his whole life. When he saw you, he immediately touched your sweet little nose. He is learning body parts right now, and quickly found your nose. He loves you too.

Reid, you have taught us so much already since you went to Heaven straight from Mommy’s womb. I have seen immense depths of your Daddy’s love like I have never seen before. Your Daddy has a HUGE heart of love and tenderness. His love for you is sooo deep. You taught Mommy with whispers from Heaven that she does have a brave heart. Mommy is broken, but also brave. Thank you our sweet Reid Maverick John Willard. You are forever our son, our sweet angel in the arms of Jesus in Heaven, dearly beloved by your family on earth and by the God who called you home.

We love you,

Mommy, Daddy, and Rhett

Reid, did you know that December 17^th is Wright Brother’s Day? The Wright Brothers invented the first mechanically propelled airplane that took flight on your earthly birthday of December 17^th! How cool is that, buddy?!