Not Like This
Dad again here; a few weeks ago we learned that bad news had gotten worse. The doctors initially thought that we maybe had a couple of months left with Layla, but instead it was going to be more like two weeks.
Still, we kept praying expecting a miracle. Never give up hope, that’s our motto. God doesn’t bring the bad, he brings the good. But we knew in the back of our minds that it might be part of God’s plan for her to return home to Him. It’s not too much of a stretch to believe that God’s work with Layla here on earth is nearly complete. She’s brought people closer to their families, closer to God, Shanna and I closer to each other. Lots of people have been touched by her. Lots and lots of people. Shanna and I still look at the number of Twitter followers she has and can’t grasp it. It’s unreal.
When we took Layla home to pass, the hospice doctors and Dr. R told us what to expect. It’s not easy to sit at home and watch your child die. Our only wish was that if Layla was going to pass, that it be in peace. It hasn’t exactly been like that. Layla’s pain has been difficult to manage. She is allergic to morphine and all of its cousins (i.e. everything that works) so we have to give her small doses of morphine anti-dote alongside her morphine otherwise she tries to tear her own skin off like a bad trip. Her intestines are stopped up and nothing seems to be working. They are probably occluded by tumors… that’s what happened the first time around when she was diagnosed. So because her bowels don’t move, all of the bile that accumulates in your stomach over the course of a day has to go somewhere. In her case it’s vomited out several times a day. Even worse is when your body is shutting down it doesn’t get hungry. You don’t eat. You don’t want to eat. Dr. R said that giving her iv fluids and nutrients will actually do more harm than good. Her body doesn’t need all the extra stuff and doesn’t know what to do with it. It can shorten her life opposed to prolonging it. It’s horrific, Layla is unrecognizable. She can’t even speak, she squeaks in this raspy pitiful voice that makes you want to break down and cry. It’s the most difficult thing we’ve had to cope with through this whole fight. Layla is literally dying before our eyes but not like how it works in the movies. I don’t want her to go but if God is going to take her we just want her to go peacefully, not like this. Lord, not like this.
I guess you are probably wondering how we manage to pick ourselves off the floor long enough to sit down and blog. It doesn’t exactly work like that. We cry…. a lot. We’re not made of steel, we’re not half as strong as many have made us out to be. We simply hope and believe that God has the power to change anything, even this. We cry and pray, and yell and pray, and shake our fist at God, it’s ok though… he can take it. We initially started using twitter just to keep us sane. Most of our friends have (or have had) small children and when something happens to a small child everyone feels it. When we first found out something was wrong with Layla our phones were blowing up with text messages and questions from friends and quite frankly we just didn’t have the nerves left to respond to everyone. As we began to discover exactly how deep the rabbit hole went, we knew Layla was going to need prayer…. lots and lots of prayer. So twitter, and eventually this blog, became a way to stay constantly connected with the prayer warriors out there beating down the gates of heaven for precious little Layla. Over time it has become part therapy too. Ever been so troubled by something that you wanted to climb on your rooftop and scream at the top of your lungs? Welcome to laylagrace.org.
Shanna and I have had Layla in our arms or lying by our side now for the past 10 months straight, cherishing every breath. We are so grateful for the support of the many people who have shared this journey with is. God bless all of you.
my heart goes out to you, your family, and especially little layla. i am wishing and hoping every day for a miracle for you. sending you so much love and so many hugs. xoxo
You are loved and prayed for by our family every day.
We cry for you and Layla, and we hope, hope, hope for peace for each of you.
From Alabama, please know we are praying for all of you.
Prayers to your family. Much love to beautiful little Layla and the rest of your family. She’s a strong little girl.
I’m praying for you all, and sending so much love out to you and your family. You have touched my heart so deeply.
I can’t begin to comprehend what you and your family are going through right now. I can barely read your posts without weeping. All I can say is that my heart is with you all, especially that precious child.
Much love to you,
~Monica
Layla is a beautiful little angel. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this incredibly trying time.
i think i found you through mckmama’s blog, “how” doesn’t matter, just know that i pray for you MANY times throughout the day, and await your twitter updates. thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us and letting everyone in some small way help bear your burden. i LOVE the black & white photo of LAYLA GRACE & her daddy reading
so very PRECIOUS! my prayers will continue for your precious family.
My prayers are with you, your wife, Layla and your older daughters during every minute. You are experiencing the unimaginable, and while I know you do not feel strong, you are showing Layla your strength with every breath you take.
She loves you. She knows you love her. And we all out here, thousands and thousands of strangers, love you too. I have never professed to understand God’s ways, but I do know that he is with you, and with Layla, during these impossible hours. May he soon bring you all the peace you deserve.
Peace to you all…
Jamie
My prayers are with you and your precious Layla Grace. I wish for peace for her.
I understand, we are fighting for my grandsons life, we are not where you are and hope we never will be, but we’ve seen the suffering of a small child and a couple of weeks ago we lost a little boy that we met in the hospital on the cancer ward. I feel your pain and i’ll pray for you and your family for peace and strength. Remember it’s ok to cry.
The two of you and your daughter have truly brought me closer to God and I sincerely mean that. Praying to God seems that much easier when I read about little Layla and the bad things going on in my life don’t seem so bad. She is truly an angel and an inspiration. My brother is a two-time cancer survivor and it makes me appreciate him to much more than I already did (Neuroblastoma the first time). Miracles do happen! Just know your whole family are in my prayers and that your little girl has accomplished more in her two years than most do in their whole lives by the way she has touched so many people, myself included. God Bless all of you.
Like I said in the email yesterday, I’m praying so hard for your family and your beautiful little girl.
Much Love & God Bless
♥
I haven’t been following Layla’s story very long, but when I found out about it, it touched me. I can’t even begin to imagine what your family is going through right now. Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Dad, along with Layla, you and Shanna and the rest of your family have a very special place in our hearts. Praying that He will soon end her suffering, with Him in heaven or here on earth. Praying that He will bring incomprehensible peace to you all in the midst of your sorrow.
Praying for your family and sweet little Layla Grace. My heart is breaking for your family and what you are going through. May God grant you peace and strength.
You and little Layla are in my prayers all day long. My heart breaks for you, and I pray that Layla will find peace soon.
no, it’s not like it is in the movies. and yet, there she is, surrounded by your love in spite of pain and bile and the tears that are the mark of being human.
my heart breaks for all of you. and nods with the greatest respect at your beautiful girl, held strong by the love that comes right off the page in your words, and in Shanna’s.
i am sorry it is like this. and i wish all of you peace. but that will come. for now, for all the sorrow in it, you keep cherishing those little breaths. and when it’s time to go, you tell her it’s okay.
You story has touched me in a way I never thought it could – the courage even through the tears your family and Layla have to push ahead despite what might be at the next turn is remarkable. It has made me much more grateful for my family and my baby. May God give Layla peace. God Bless you all.
I am praying for little Layla Grace every day and I just hope that God will provide her the comfort and strength that you all need to make it through.
Oh, Lord, not like this! Please let Layla know peace, please let her family know that there are HUNDREDS of people all around the world who are praying for them and loving them right now, through the darkest journey they will ever experience. Wrap their family in Your love, Lord, bring them together and give them peace.
Praying for peace…sweet Layla deserves P.E.A.C.E……
God bless you and your precious child.
Thinking lots of peaceful thoughts for you and your sweet baby girl who’s touched so many lives. Thank you for sharing your story.
our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your sweet layla. ♥
Praying for peace and no pain for your sweet little girl. SO many people are praying for her!!!
Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers constantly over the past few weeks since I found out about Layla from MckMama’s blog. It is so heart-wrenching sad that your beautiful little girl is going home soon to her Heavenly Father, yet amazing at the many lives she has touched in her fight in her short time here. She is one of the reasons I continue to support Relay for Life, for a future without cancer one day. I pray God will give you comfort in the coming days. Praying for you and Layla always.
I have been thinking and praying for each one of you. Praying that the Lord continues to give you peace during this. I’m also praying for a miracle..because I know that God can do whatever he wants to do..and afterall, he is Jehovah Rapha – The God who Heals.
Grace and Peace,
SBLewis
http://www.prayforramey.wordpress.com
Keeping your family in my prayers.
The mere fact that you and Shanna share your experience/journey makes you angels too. I pray everyday for your family and precious Layla – what an amazing force. God be with you ALWAYS. Love to you.
I watched both of my in-laws die from cancer. It is the MOST awful thing. I can’t fathom it being your child. Know that so many people out here are praying for your strength. Keep sharing..whatever gets your through. People want to help.
Constant prayers from NC for a miracle…for comfort, peace & the feeling of Gods love. How blessed layla is to have such an amazing family, and how blessed you are to have each moment with such a precious angel.
God bless her little soul. I pray for her every night, ever since I found out about little Layla.
God bless your family, my prayers are with you.
<3
my prayers are with you all. It’s not fair and it’s so hard to understand. You all have touched so many lives – including mine. Big hugs to you!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and especially precious Miss Layla. May God grant you strength and peace.
I pray ,my pray for my almigthy God who is in heaven for healing completly Layla Grase from this evil sickness,brother I want you to know that your presios dauther and your family are every day in my prayers please be strong everythin happen for a reason ,we dont understand but God does,please all my peace and comfort are for you and your family your story will be always in my heart,
I am new to your journey, but I wanted to let you know that I have been fervently praying for Layla Grace and your family! I pray for her comfort and for wisdom and strength for her parents. I also praise God that she has two steadfast, strong, brave and incredibly loving parents to see her through this! She definitely has brought this heart back into line with Him!
Thank you for reminding us what SHOULD be important… I read your posts… Twitter updates…pray for your family… Cry…and hug my girls. Your family….sweet Layla Grace… Has changed how THOUSANDS of people live their lives daily… My thoughts and prayers are with all of you… My heart breaks for you…
Praying for you all constantly!
Still praying for comfort, peace, and the Lord’s will. Rest in Him.
My heart breaks for your family and of course Layla Grace. I can’t begin to fathom what your family is going through. I don’t think you guys give yourself enough credit for your strength.
I will keep praying for Layla Grace and your family, for peace, comfort, and understanding.
Praying for Layla and your whole family to have peace and comfort as much as can be. I think about Layla everyday, she has changed the way I view my life in all ways. Her time yet short has been extraordinary. Thank you for sharing her precious life.
Continuing to keep Layla in my thoughts and hoping for peace and strength.
Love you all! XOXO
I know what your going through and i know is hard a year ago i watched my grandpa die of lung cancer… It is painful to watch them suffer but is comforting to be there with them and that they are not alone… I continue to have Layla and your family in my thoughts… You guys are great!
I think of Layla often. I think of you and her beautiful family often, too. Know that you are in my prayers, as well as in the hearts of many others.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I am in tears reading this blog for the first time. I feel like a know her and she is a blessing that you have chosen to share with the world. Thank you. Be strong as you run the race with her till the end and seek strength in God.
I really have no words…. but i’m praying hard for a miracle, and peace.
My heart continues to break for Layla and for you. I can feel your strength and am inspired by it. God Bless You All. I may be a perfect stranger, even though I’ve been following Layla’s blog and tweets for a few days, but – if it’s okay, and if you (and Layla Grace) don’t mind, please give her a big giant loving hug and kiss from me, Becky, in Massachusetts. She is in my prayers.
Praying for comfort and peace of mind and heart for every single one of you…
With Love,
Becky Warren (@Smee81)
Your story is incredible- thankyou so much for sharing this!
Good Bless & take care.
Praying for peace for your precious Layla Grace tonight.
I wait patiently every few hours for updates on your beautiful little angel. Most days I pray for a miracle but today I prayed for peace. I have cried my eyes out of tears at the mere thought of the pain Layla has endured. Yet, I understand Gods plan is far greater than any simple wish we may have for our loved ones.
Layla Grace has changed my perception on life and as much as I want her to be healed from this monster of a disease, I can only hope she will be in the peaceful place that she deserves soon.
May God Bless your family.
All My Love,
Gabrielle
From Arkansas, much love and prayers being said for Layla and your family. I haven’t been aware of this story for very long, but it has touched my heart the short time that I have.
Praying for a miracle. God Bless You All.
I am praying for you all, especially little Layla.
Remember, God has a plan in everything he does, and we will all live FOREVER!
I can hardly contain the tears in my eyes from reading this entry. I can’t even imagine how hard this is on all of you.. having to watch your little girl slowly die. I never understood why it had to be this way for some… long, drawn-out. Lord only knows why she’s still hanging on, but she is. I’ve definitely been touched by you and your family.. and especially your little Layla. You are always in my thoughts during the day and my prayers all the day long. *gentle hugs*
I have faith. I really, truly do. Praying…
Praying in Maine.
Dear Ryan and Shanna,
I cannot imagine the horror of what you both and dearest Layla must be going through– it seems unbearable that she should have to endure any more pain and suffering with her little body– enough!! As a parent,
I can only imagine the anger and rage you must feel at having to watch your baby endure more misery while on modern medicine offers only meager comforts. I am awe-struck with the number and intensity of Layla’s prayer warriors. She has brought so many closer to God and renewed Faith literally across the globe via the internet. But it has certainly not come without the ultimate price– poor Layla has suffered beyond my comprehension, along with your older daughters, yourselves and your whole family. I am begging the Lord to now have mercy– please allow Layla to pass quickly and painlessly. End her suffering in a quiet and dignified manner, surrounded by her parents.
Layla has truly accomplished God’s miracle for her, though it was not the miracle we all have prayed so intensely toward. Please, dear Lord, have mercy on baby Layla Grace and end her suffering without further pain or misery. I will be praying with newest intensity for your family!!
My thoughts and prayers are with you all x
From New Jersey, we are praying for Layla and your whole family. Having had one too many experiences with cancer, Layla’s story touched me greatly. My heart breaks each time I read an update about her not doing well. I hope God can give your sweet baby girl some much needed peace <3
I can’t even begin to fathom the depth of your pain. My family and I have been praying for a miracle for Layla since we first read about her on Twitter, and she has touched our hearts in so many ways. We do realize that God may choose to take her home, but we want to thank you for sharing her with us, for in doing so, you brought the reminder of what is and what is not important.
As a mom, my heart breaks at every picture, at every post, every blog. But I know our God is good, and Layla has touched SO many hearts, that I know the effects of her short life will be far reaching.
May God comfort you and your girls during these hours and bring you peace, and know that so many people are praying..God bless.
Oh. I have nothing to say. I do not know you or little Layla Grace but my heart is broken for you. As a new mother I just don’t know how you have the strength to do what you do… God Bless you and the rest of your family and especially Layla Grace. I wish there were something I could do besides pray for comfort for you all.
All of my love.
my heart goes out to your entire family.. as well as my love & tons of prayers! i have a 4 year old sister, who is more like my own child than im sure than anyone could ever imagine and i cannnot even begin to fathom what you’re going through! my heart breaks for you and yours. God be with all of you! I will continue to pray for your entire family, even long after Layla is perfect again!
We have been praying for you since we first heard your story earlier in the week. My God take Layla so that she doesn’t have to suffer any more. May He bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead. May He bless you in every way possible.
I pray everyday for a miracle for this precious little angel. If the Lord sees fit to have her by his side I pray she at least have peace and feel no pain. God bless you and your family and god bless beautiful little Layla Grace.
My heart breaks for your entire family. May God bring peace to your sweet baby girl, no more suffering. Layla is such a BEAUTIFUL little girl and so very LUCKY to have AWESOME parents as the two of you. Stay strong and you all are in our thoughts and prayers!
Chicago is praying too!! My heart breaks for you, praying for peace for all of you!
I don’t know you, but heard about your story through a friend. There are no words to comfort you or make any of this better. But, I am praying for your beautiful daughter and for you and the rest of you family. Layla has touched me, and I won’t forget her. May God be with all of you.
Sending prayers and hope your way.
I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you and your entire family are going through. I am soooo sorry that your precious angel has to go through this. I wish so much peach for little Layla Grace, with an angel’s face. God bless you and your family. Please know so many thousands are praying for Layla to find comfort.
I am still praying for a miracle! My God Bless you and your beautiful Layla Grace. My God continue to give you and Shanna strength.
Praying for your entire family. I have a two year old and cannot imagine having to go through this with him. Praying that morphine will work to ease the pain. Oh God, please hlep this family!!!
You guys are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!! Layla not only is a strong precious angel, but she has the two most awesome role models to call her mommy and daddy!! I’m at a loss for words on what to say except that I, and my family are praying for you and your miracle over and over every day! Though we still haven’t met, you’re very close in our family’s hearts!!
much <3
Jenn
Praying for you all.
I just started following laylas’s story and have cried and prayed alot for your precious family in the week that I have been Following. I hope peace comes soon for Layla. God bless you and your beautiful family, I will continue to pray for Layla.
I agree. Why does she have to continue to feel pain? Maybe it’s a part of the bigger plan, but it isn’t fair. Layla is in the back of my mind no matter what I’m doing. While I’m at work, while I’m cleaning, and especially when I’m laying with my two year old. Words can’t even express how much Layla has opened my, and many others, eyes. I have and will continue to pray for peace, for no more suffering for Layla. For you, Shanna, and the girls to get through these rough times. How will they respond? Always in my thoughts and Layla will always be in our hearts..
You are in my prayers. Use Twitter as a therapy and blog as you need to. Know you have thousands of people listening and praying.
I am keeping all of you in my prayers, especially your sweet baby girl Layla Grace it just breaks my heart to hear this , I have been following updates on her constantly God Bless you and take care!
Your story has grabbed so many lives and slowed them down long enough to take a breath and hug their own children, thank you for continuing to share your feelings throughout this battle. I am praying for peace for your family and for Layla. I am sure you are quickly running low on strength as is her little body. God only knows His plan and His timeline, but He also knows how tired you all are. Hold her and love her and we will continue to help be your strength right now. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” Ephesians 6:10
I am so so so sorry for what your family has had and is still having to endure. I know there must be so many whys. I ask God “why?” every moment of everyday as I pray for your sweet angel Layla. I try to imagine what you are experiencing so that I can pray with the most empathy God can give but I cannot imagine and dad’s latest blog post proves that to me.
Oh dear God! Give Ryan and Shanna some reassurance – Layla is a warrior and her strength of heart and will show that. I want so much to see her body healed and show all those people who don’t believe in earthly angels that there they ARE here – Layla is an angel who has brought thousands closer to God – but God’s Will will be done.
I pray that Shanna, Ryan, Jenna and Clare and the whole family remember at their darkest hour that we prayer warriors have been, are and always will be praying for you – we pray for your family always.
Praying and Fasting for Healing –
Gena Clark and Cameron (16) and twins Carly and Carson (22 1/2 mos)
Shanna and Ryan
I cannot begin to imagine what you all are going through, I have a son who is at the age when Layla was diagnosed. I pray not only for Layla’s miracle but for you guys daily. Your story has truly affected my life and my faith. Layla’s story is an amazing display of faith to the heavenly Father and he has amazing plans for you, I just know he is going to do amazing things through Layla’s story. It is not fair what is happening to her and as a nursing student Layla’s story has shown me the path the Lord has chosen for me and where my work as a servant will begin. Please continue to believe in her miracle and be amazed at her work as a faithful servant to our Father. I pray for comfort for all of you.
Prayers still storming God’s gates, from Alabama…your family has been on my heart ever since I became aware of Layla this weekend….praying for peace and comfort, and for a miracle for beautiful, precious Layla-Angel….
I am praying for you and for that sweet baby Layla. I can’t imagine the pain you are feeling!
I recently found out about little Layla, and read your entire blog. I sobbed the entire time. I cannot imagine the pain your family is in, and especially Layla. I think of you all numerous times throughout the day and I am praying constantly for Layla. I pray she is comfortable and in peace, and will continue to do so.
I am so so so sorry.
I’m crying for you Layla and your family. I’ve been crying everyday for you. I just keep praying to God and asking him for a miracle. Asking him for whatever it is that you need. I feel so close to you and your family, but I never even met you. See I have a little girl and she is 16 months old, the same age that Layla was when you found out she was sick. I can’t help thinking what if it were me and my family? I am so thankful for a healthy little girl. But so sad for you. I wish I could take away your pain. I wish I could do something for you. But all I can offer is prayer. I will continue to pray for you. For sweet Layla, for your two other daughters, and the two of you. I pray that she doesn’t suffer and goes peacefully. Peace be with you and your family at this hard time in your life.
My prayers are with you, your wife, your family and precious sweet Layla.
What a sad way to die in so much pain. I can’t imagine watching her.
Thank you for sharing this with me. May God continue to give you strength when nothing is left. My heart is heavy with your sorrow.
Lord God I pray for peace for Layla…deliver her from this pain! In your Son’s name AMEN!
Ryan….we are in awe of the strength of your Faith. It would be so easy to turn away and we are amazed at your unwavering faith in the Lord and his plan!
I have no words. I am utterly heartbroken for your family.
I just took a leave of absence from a nursing program. I was feeling bad about it but layla’s journey is showing me that life is more important. After having a stillborn with my first child I struggled with infertility. god has blessed me with a 19 month old daughter.school can wait ; my time with my daughter can’t. Thank you Layla for making me realize this!!!!!
I pray for a miracle!
Layla’s journey really shows me how we really are brothers and sisters in Christ. I don’t know you, you don’t know me, yet my heart hurts for you as if you were one of my closest friends. Layla has taught me to overlook the little things my little girl does and to hug her more and raise my voice less. She adds her own prayers for Little Layla and her family each night before bedtime. You are all on my mind all day. No parent should ever have to deal with losing a child and no parent should have to watch their child suffer. God bless you and and God, if you cannot give a miracle to this precious little girls, please bring her peace and strength to her family.
My heart is so moved by what you all are goon through. I am praying that God would ease little Layla’s pain. I lost my uncle to cancer not long ago. Reading your story, I now understand hat was happening and why.
I am crying and praying for you all everyday. God bless you. Wish I could do more.
I only started following your journey a short time ago. But, I find myself checking Twitter several times a day looking for your posts. I even go to the page just to make sure I haven’t missed anything. I am a mom to 4 children…only one of them is a girl. I have a special bond with all my children, but mostly with my daughter. I read these posts & thank The Maker for them daily. I am currently living 3,000 miles away from them so I can give my family a better life. I ask The Maker for strength daily for you & your family as I know I will seem my family again soon. I also ask The Maker for peace for Layla everyday. You are an inspiration & source of strength. Peace to you all…may it come soon. Aloha
Praying the God will bring peace & comfort for all you tonight.
She definitely has touched my life in many many ways. I can not imagine what you as a family have been thru. I prayed for this precious little girl, I don’t know how many times a day for miracle and I know he can do this. I can not see thru the tears as I am writing this, she is so strong. Layla being the same age as my son, this is devastating that something so horrible can do this to them. Sending my prayers and love for Layla and family!
Your beautiful girl is always so close to my heart. Praying for you tonight.
So much love. May Jesus be so near.
The Thomas family
TN
I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I watched my husband’s nanny die of cancer at home and it is so so hard. I have been thinking of Layla and your whole family non-stop. I am praying for peace and comfort for Layla.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage”…<3
We are praying so hard <3
I cannot imagine the pain you are going through.
Just know that layla and your story, have touched me very deeply. I’m praying very hard for every one of you.
God bless Layla.
I pray through tears and tears that Layla’s body be rid of this horrific disease. Although it may not be in the form that we hoped, no child should have to endure this amount of suffering. Layla and your beautiful words on this blog have moved me in more ways than words can describe. I don’t know you or your children, but my heart breaks with each new blog and twitter updates. I have grown to love Layla and am truly, truly sorry for what she has endured, and for the pain you, as parents must feel. May God bless you, Layla, and her beautiful big sisters.
Well said, Ryan. Thank you so much for allowing me to take this journey with you. I would have never thought I could learn so much from a 2 year old, but I have. Layla has taught me to be a better mom and a better friend. Thank you so much for including me- it has been an honor and a privilege.
Love you,
Kinsey
We pray for Layla’s comfort everyday and peace of mind for you.
I found Layla’s story after my own daughter had surgery in June. We knew before she was born there were going to be issues and after she was born there have been several more added to the list. They still don’t know what is wrong with her other than numerous things. It’s scary ;yet, I still can not imagine how difficult this is for all of you. A dear friends little boy lost his fight with cancer and she said that it was the most difficult thing she has ever been through, but that atleast she was able to say goodbye and hold him at the end.
My heart goes out to all of you for the journey you are having to take.
I know there is nothing I can say that hasn’t been said, but I am praying through my tears for your family and your beautiful little girl.
I think about Layla all the time, snd my heart is completely broken. What a beautiful little girl, I keep asking God why? Layla has touched my family greatly and she will always be in our hearts. I just ordered my Layla tutu and I hope my daughter looks as beautiful in it as yours does. My 3 year old son wanted me to tell you he really likes her purple binky
Thank you for sharing your story, Layla has forever changed my life, she is my hero…
Cry when you want to and laugh when you can…
Your family is so loved and thought of often!
Praying so hard!
Love and peace to you all. Think of you often and sending prayers xo
May God bless your family , Praying for comfort for Layla and Gods’ perfect peace for your family
Layla be brave and your family be strong. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Nothing can ever prepare you for this moment. I too pray that she goes in peace. Layla, if this is your time, Fly high and proud with the Angels. Your family loves you, as well as the many you have touched. We love you.
Amazing strength and faith you are exhibiting. You know God will never leave you nor forsake you, your trials and suffering are ministering to many. Your beautiful daughter will be healed here or in eternity. I will continue to pray for Layla and your family. May God keep you and bless you.
My heart is with little Layla, in hope of peace and a miracle.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I’m a mum and luckily have 3 healthy children, and I hope if anything happened to my children I would react with the strength and dignity that you have.
Layla is beautiful and it’s a tragedy that this could happen to a young and beautiful child, I hope that she becomes more peaceful and less in pain.
Take Care and thoughts with you always xx
I am amazed at the strength of Laya and your family. I’m sorry that your family(and other families) have to deal with these things to their children.
You have definately made me realize what is more important in my life. I was worried about things, but I haven’t even thought of it since I found your blog last week. I want my kids to know what is more important.
Layla is ALWAYS on my mind, and I’m always praying for yall. We aren’t faithful church-goers, but I made sure we went today so that I could pray even more for Layla.
I’ll keep praying hard and praying for a miracle.
Thoughts and prayers are with you!!!
God speed Layla.
Our family has fallen in love with you, and my 5-yr old asks God to heal your body. Looking forward to meeting you in eternity.
The York Family
I am praying for your family and your sweet precious Layla. I hope she will soon be at peace and pain and cancer free as she deserves to be. My heart is heavy for your family as you go through this. Lots of love being sent you’re way from Michigan.
Layla has been an eye opener for me!! She has taught me that not all things can be explained and that we must have total FAITH! She is so strong and such an ispiration as are her parents!! Please know that I have shed so many tears and pray constantly through out the day! I do not know you or your family personally either, but I do love you and will continue to keep you in my prayers! Please LORD rid the baby of her pain!
I simply cannot even begin to imagine the toll this is taking on all of you. I pray that her suffering will stop. Why does this process have to be so gruelling?? My prayers are with all of you.
Almost 2 years ago, our family prayed for a little girl who we didn’t know, but she was dying of cancer. Later, I went to her funeral…and although it was excruciatingly hard…it was a relief to know Chloe was no longer in pain.
So…our family is again praying, praying for you all…praying without ceasing…praying for your precious little girl, that God’s will be done.
Praying…
the Reisingers
I have cried over your sweet Layla and her illness. It is heartbreaking to hear about her pain and know there is nothing we can do but lift her in prayer to our Almighty God. I will continue to pray for her comfort and your peace.
God Bless your family and your sweet angel Layla.
Be assured that here in Cali, I think ALL DAY long about you all and I am in CONSTANT prayer for sweet Layla & you both as well (& the rest of your family).
I am constantly in conversation with him for you all. Gina
As a parent, my heart is breaking for you, your family, and for Layla. As a Christian I can pray, and do for your preciious little girl, crying out to God as I do. I pray with all my heart that the Lord will grant you peace beyond your understanding, that He will when Layla goes Home to Him bring her softly and gently so that you and she may both have a measure of comfort. I pray that Layla’s sisters will be blessed with the Lord’s grace, and that all who have been touched by Layla will keep praying for her. I pray this in Jesus Holy and Perfect name.
Shanna and Ryan,
I am aching with you. Layla and your family have touched so many….all part of God’s plan. Prayer seems to be the only thing I know I can do for you…..I pray so much. I hurt for you….I just pray that I am taking some of your burden away. I am praying for complete comfort for not only sweet Layla, for you all. Please know that we are here for you if you ever need anything. I really mean that!
Love,
Heather Gable
God bless all of you. Layla has etched a mark in the lives of many people you don’t even know. She an Angel to all of us. Thank you for sharing her with us. Love, prayers, peace and comfort to all of you.
Light and love your way!!!
Praying for your family!!!!!!!!!!
I know no words can ease your pain, or sweet Layla’s, but know that so many people right now are praying for her, and for her to have peace. I may have never met her or your family, but I love you from the bottom of my heart. I have been praying for her since I first came across your blog. God bless and know that even in her short years, she has changed the lives of so many people. I will never forget her, she’ll always have a special place in my heart. I pray she finds peace soon and that all her pain ceases to be.
I am so sorry for everything you have gone through, no one should have to go through this. Please know that I am preying for you guys. Layla is loved and enjoy her while you can.
enveloping your incredibly strong family in peace, light and love.
God bless us? God bless you my friend. I have become part of your journey now. i check the Twitter-feed several times a day for updates on Layla. Even though I’ve never met you or your family, I feel your pain and am involved even if only in a miniscule way. I hug my own child and tear up thinking of yours.
May God be with you throughout the rest of your journey.
Oh Ryan,
This is exactly what I have been thinking about, I watched my mom die at home from cancer, so I know what happens, and I can’t imagine watching my two year old go through it. My heart is literally shattered for you and Shanna, honestly. I can’t stop thinking about you all, I cry randomly all day long thinking about how unfair it is for that baby. And on top of all of it, her pain can’t even be managed easily. It’s just devestating. I have said it time and time again, but I am soo thankful for you’re allowing us into your life, to share, in however small a part, in your journey. Please know that the thousands and thousands of us who have you in our prayers every night have lots and lots of strength for you and Shanna when you can’t get up off the floor yourselves. I wish I could give it to Layla, I wish her peace and calm, and I am so so so unbelievably sorry that it’s been even more horrific than anticipated. I wish you all peace and love and hope.
I am praying so hard for your miracle. You and your family have touched me very deeply.
Layla has captured my heart, as she has so many others. I am so very sorry…I will pray for her comfort, for peace to cover you all like a soft blanket.
I am just so sorry.
I feel so much for Layla and you and your wife and daughters.
I am praying so hard that God is in control and doing what is right and best. and that he is comforting Layla every minute, every second of the day.
One of the comforts I get from this is that this journey, Layla’s story – your family’s story – has touched so many and changed the lives of SO many.
I have printed out a picture of Layla. Right now it’s on my fridge but will soon be in a frame. I decided to do this as a remider of what’s most important and most precious in this life. I also hope that when people ask me who she is and why I have her picture up – that they will be touched as well.
Thank you Marsh family. Thank you Layla. You have successfully fulfilled God’s destiny for you. You are an angel here on earth and you will forever touch others with your story.
God bless angel. God’s comforting hugs and loving kisses to you sweetheart.
Love,
Jonathan, Deanna, Gillian (11) and Madelyn (2)
Thank you for sharing your honest raw emotions with us during this intimate time for your family. Having previously worked with Dr R at TCCC I have seen the beast NB cut many lives too short. I believe that these warriors were chosen because they have the ability to impact the larger masses regardless of how short their time on earth is. I wish I was still working with Dr R at TCCC so that I could be there to support your family as I have done with many others. May the remaining time Layla has here with you all be peaceful for all of you. The true testiment of ones life is not how long or short it is but what you do in that time to better the world around you. Layla has set the bar extremely HIGH for all those who will follow in her footsteps.
Sending hugs and prayers from New Jersey
Don’t think for a minute that you, Shanna, and your family aren’t some of the strongest people out there! Of course you cry a lot, your two wonderful parents who love and cherish your daughter and have to wonder every moment if this is the last moment with her. Hoping and praying in one thought that you have more time, but hoping and praying in another that you didn’t because then she wouldn’t be in pain anymore. Never underestimate the strength and faith you and your family have had through this fight! I pray for you all, especially little Layla….that she may soon find peace, and be healed! I pray for you and Shanna to keep finding strength to be there fir her and to cherish every moment, even the bad ones….for when there gone you’ll want them back. Godbless you all.
I came across Layla’s story when I saw a retweet by Brent Spiner, and I can’t remember when, or if, I have been so touched by a story of love, courage and faith. Not only do I pray daily for Layla, but this sweet 2 year old whom I will never meet has reinvigorated my faith and brought me closer to God. In just two short years on earth, Layla has inspired faith and brought thousands of people together. Not only is that an amazing legacy, but probably more than most of us will be able to accomplish if we live to be 100. God bless little Layla.
Please know that all the people out there praying for your family have truely been touched deeply by your story and by your sweet little girl. She holds on to you as much as you hold on to her. She is so incredibly loved by even strangers like me. I cry a lot thinking of the things that you and Shanna have to go through. I couldn’t even imagine how hard it is. Just know that we are all here to lend an ear, to pray, to comfort in any way we can, to cry with you on Layla’s journey. God bless and bring peace for Layla and her family. Much love from the Allen family. Goliad, Tx.
My heart is absolutely broken for your family. I will continue to pray harder than ever for peace, rest, and strength for all of you, especially precious little Layla. The Lord has had such big plans for Layla; at her tiny age, she has already fulfilled His plans and honored His glory by touching so many hearts, without ever realizing it. Sending so many prayers, hugs, and so much love your way.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15)
I’m not nearly ashamed to say my husband and I are fasting for your family. I know fasting is something done in private, but this time, we need you to know we will go to the extremes because we are your family in Christ. I have no idea how horrific this is, and selfishly don’t want to. But I do know your family has reached a place in our hearts that we never knew existed. We are crying out to God on your behalf, begging Him to show up Mighty and allow a miracle to happen now! So many people see your pain and we know God will use this for His glory! If only He would do it in the way we would all like! You are much loved. We are at the thrown for you! Just know that.
I’m so very sorry for what you are going through and the pain you are feeling. I pray for Layla and her family. Your story has truly touched my heart and really made me stop and think. You just never no how short life can be.
I hope you continue to find strength and peace.
May God grant Layla peace. I have shed tears daily and prayed harder than I have in a long time. We have a 2 year old and she saw Layla’s picture. She gave her a big kiss. I hope for a miracle……
My heart is breaking for you. Please know you are in our thoughts & prayers. Hugs to sweet Layla.
since reading your story i have thought about and prayed for your family many times a day. bless your sweet angel.
Praying for you and that sweet baby.
Dear Jesus,
Please comfort Layla and her family during this trail in their lives.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Thinking of you and your family everyday, praying for your family everyday and expecting a miracle for your family today and everyday.♥
Dear Layla and family-
I was just recently introduced to your story through another blog that I follow. Even though we do not know each other, we are connected in our faith. My heart is so violently torn for you and aches for you. Even though the situation is very different, I lost my mom (49) this past October to after 11 month battle with brain cancer. It is so hard to watch someone you love slip away and I can’t imagine what you are going through as a mommy and daddy loosing a child.
I pray for peace for Layla, both of you and your extended family. There are absolutely no words but I wanted you to know that I am lifting you up before our Father tonight and in the coming days/weeks/months that you will fully feel His warm embrace and comfort.
I am praying for Layla’a comfort. I can’t imagine how difficult this is your family.
I know that our God is merciful and I know that He will comfort Layla and your family… He does not mind if we get mad at him, because He knows we are only human and we do not understand any of this… I am praying that God will soon give healing to Layla Grace and fill her with perfect peace and take the hurt away… Please try to take some comfort in all of the friends that you have made along this journey… They really care and they all are praying…
I just read about your Layla a few days ago and have been following your story on Twitter since. It breaks my heart that your sweet little girl is going through this. I just spent the last week in the Paediatric department at our local hospital with our little boy (who has an absolutely minor issue compared to something like this) and my heart dropped every time I saw a young child walking around with an iv or sitting quietly with a parent after a procedure/test was done.
I can’t imagine going through what you and your family are going through. I pray that God will use your daughter’s life and your family’s story to bring people closer to Him. I pray that God’s will will be done in this situation and that if it is His will that the be taken home that her time left here would be peaceful and painless. If it is His will that she live I pray that all the glory would be given to God and that she would grow up to become a beautiful woman of God.
God bless your family! And thank you for taking the time to update and share your story with the world.
Layla Grace has touched my heart. There are no words that can take away your pain. I will continue to pray for you and your precious angel. May God take away Layla’s pain and comfort you in your time of need.
Heartfelt Blessings,
Danielle
thoughts and prayers from california!
God bless you and your beautiful family. None of us can begin to know the pain, anguish, misery that all of you are living every day. If only all of us that you have invited to share your story, could all take a portion of that pain away from you. To only make your load lighter. Know that we would gladly do it. As a parent, I understand the suffering you feel when it comes to your children. Layla is one special daughter and her suffering will come to have meaning for you in the years to come. God put her here to teach us all valuable lessons. Her profile picture is true grace on Earth. I am sending you peace.
I have only been following Layla’s struggle for a week, but it feels like forever. My husband and I wake up every morning and check Twitter to see how “our Layla” is doing. She has become the love and light of so many thousands of “parents” and “siblings” across the world. The sermon in church this morning was on faith and wisdom and I immediately thought of Layla: Some circumstances we have in this world do not have a “this world” answer. That the wise and faithful see the crown of glory awaiting us, and hang on for that moment. I know Layla’s crown will be hers soon. Peace, sweet Layla. May God’s peace be yours.
May the angels surround you and God’s grace cover you and give Layla a peaceful night. Standing with you in faith in North Carolina…..
Praying for peace for Layla and your family.
You are right, Layla has made me cherish my family that much more. I do not get frustrated when my 5 month old is fussy, instead, I cherish the fact that he is here in my arms healthy. Layla’s struggle has tore me up emotionally, asking God why. I am a first time Mom and struggling not to look at the normal things my son deals with (like a cold or rash) as something bigger. Through Layla, God is teaching me not to fear; that my son is in His hands. I have been reminded about Job, in the Bible, and the suffering he endured only to be blessed. My heart and tears are always with your family. What a testimony Layla is. She has reached thousands upon thousands of people, and they are all praying! I hope I never have to experience the pain your family is going through, but there are thousands of us holding your hands. We all love Layla and think of her daily. Thank you for sharing her with us. Thank you for letting us love her and pray for her. She will always be in my family’s heart.
I’ve been checking daily for your updates. I think of Layla throughout the day. My husband, one year old and I, all said a prayer for her to go peacefully with her angels. I will continue to pray for you all.
my prayer for you is this: Lord, please let Your good and perfect will be “done”. Father, please give Ryan and Shanna and their daughters the strength to accept what ever happens as “Your” will. Father, please bring peace upon them and bless Layla as she has blessed us. We are but strangers, Father, we have never met, but the love I feel for her is the same as I hold for the babies you have sent to me to raise. Although they are grown now, Lord, I have grandchildren that You have blessed me with. And I love them as well. We love all the children and pray that you will watch over them and care for them as only You know how to do. I love you Lord, and know that you love us and especially the children. Please make Layla well Father and if it is Your will to take her home to do this, then so be it. But please ease her pain and the anguish her parents are going through. Thank you Father for giving them strength thus far, and show us how to help them along with how to help each other from here on out…we have pulled together here to pray for Layla Grace and her family, please let us not forget to “stay” together. I ask these things in Jesus most precious and Holy name. I am standing on Your promises Lord, and will consider it “done”. Amen
I am so heartbroken for all of you and for sweet Layla that she is going through all of this. I cannot imagine as a parent how unbelievably frustrating this must be for you and Shanna to see your daughter in such pain. I have been praying nonstop since hearing about Layla for her to be healed of all cancer. If that is not in God’s plan then I continue to pray for peace, comfort and an end to Layla’s suffering. Ryan, Shanna, Jenna, Claire and the amazingly strong and beautiful Layla Grace – You are an inspiration to the thousands of people who have been fortunate to be part of your life during this time. I just said a special prayer as well that my Mom and Dad, who both died of cancer well before they should have, welcome sweet angel Layla into their loving embrace when the time comes. Love and peace to all of you!!
Sending out lots of positive love and thoughts from Australia..
Praying for little Layla Grace and your family.
xxxxx
I can’t even begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak you must feel. I have been following your journey and have been praying for your family. Sometimes we don’t always understand God and sometimes we get angry with God – and that’s okay.
Even though Layla is very sick, she knows that her family loves her so much and I am sure that has been a great comfort. In the days and weeks ahead your family is going to help one another and you will learn to smile again and you may see Layla from time to time, whether it is in a beautiful fall gerber daisy or a bird singing outside your window. She will always be with your family.
God Bless.
Almightly Father, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon Layla Grace and her parents and increase your mercy in them so that in this difficult moment, they might not despair nor become despondent, but submit themselves to your holy will, which is love and mercy itself.
I am continuing to pray for you and your family, and will offer up any small suffering I endure over the next few days in hopes that it somehow helps to ease yours.
Big big hugs to you all (((((hugs))))) I am SO sorry for all you are going through!! The photos you have will be cherished forever!! I have 3 sons and I cant even begin to imagine the pain you have endured and will endure. I look at her photos daily, she and all your family are so beautiful!! Please know that as you climb the ladder of grief we are all thinking of you!! I read your blog today and it brought me to tears
My mom passed from cancer, my sister last yr from cancer and another sister has cancer. In your blog you spoke about how it wasnt supposed to be like this and my heart sank… my sister too didnt find comfort in her meds and her last hours were so hard on us all 
Please know that although I dont know you personally I will forever be thinking of you and that your sweet baby girl has touched the world and will never be forgotten ~i~
Thank you for taking the time to update. I’m not allowed to access twitter or facebook at work so tomorrow it will be hard to wonder the whole day about Layla.
My family just finished our night prayers and we prayed for comfort for Layla.
Hugs, love and prayers for sweet Layla and your family.
COLE Prayer Team
I will continue to pray for peace for you and bueatiful Layla . I could not imagine what you guys are going through but just no that we are thinking of you every minute
Spears family
You, Mom and Dad, give me strength to deal with the hardships of life… nothing is harder then watching your child being taken away from your hands. Layla gives me strength to fight for my life and to make the best of everyday. Thank you for sharing with us your amazing story of strength and courage. I pray for Layla’s comfort and ease through the next days…. I pray for you, mom and dad, for the strength and courage to help your families and yourselves celebrate layla’s life.
<3 all my love to you
My heart goes out to you, your family and especially little Layla. I pray for a miracle and that there is peace for Layla. Thank you for sharing this with the world, as it has made me and my family cherish every precious moment we have with our daughter.
I think of Ms Layla often though out the day and prayer for her always!! At such a young age she has impacted so many! I’m not a parent so I can’t act like I know what yall are going through, I have Cystic Fibrosis so I know what its like being the patient sick and unsure about your days left, I’ve seen what me mom went through and I know its not easy, and all we want to do is ask why…. But we don’t, instead just pray, pray for her comfort and peace soon!! I will continue to spread the word and ask for prayers for Ms Layla and your family. Tonight I pray for Peace!! God Bless You, Your Family and Layla Grace!!!
god bless you and your beautiful, amazing family, sweet layla grace. i know his angels are with you every moment. you have touched my heart in a way that i can’t explain. thank you, beautiful girl. thank you.
God bless all of you . And may Layla be the Twitter” in the sky tht sparkels down from heaven once god takes laylas hand and puts her head on a fluffy cloud to continue to look over u
I am bawling after reading this blog, I have been praing for Layla everyday all day. My heart aches sooo much to hear her agonizing pain she is enduring in the final days of her life here on earth. It makes me sooo incredibly sad that she isn’t able to just rest peaceful. I will continue to PRAY FOR PEACE FOR LAYLA!!!
I pray that they can give her some comfort PLEASE LORD COMFORT LAYLA GIVE HER THE PEACE SHE SO DESERVES!!!!
I just can’t put my feelings about this blog into words.
I, like everyone else, am praying deeply for your child.
Lord, please don’t let this beautiful child suffer.
Give strength and support to Layla Grace’s family.
Amen.
Praying for peace for Layla Grace – in Tennessee. <3
Praying for peace for sweet Layla and your whole family
I love and pray for Layla many times a day. My heart goes out to you and your family. I pray for Layla to have comfort and peace. Layla has accomplished so much in her short life span. God bless her and your family
I was introduced to your website about a week and a half ago, and since that time, I have fallen in love with not only precious Layla, but your entire family. Thank you Lord, for giving Layla to the parents that only You could know would have the strength and courage to open themselves up to the world, in order to raise awareness about this awful disease. Thank you Shanna and Ryan, for being the kind of people who are willing to be transparent, and show us all of the blessings that we take for granted on a daily basis. Thank you for showing us how important it is to stand strong in our faith, but thank you for also showing us that it’s okay to be angry. And yes, He can take it. Y’all have shown us the importance of laying the foundation of our faith before it is needed, so that we have our rock to rely on, and we will not doubt in the dark what we believe in the light. And lastly, thank you Layla Grace. You share the same middle name as my 2 year old, and you have touched my heart more than you know. Every time I wish for quiet, I will remember you. Every time I think that I might not make it through a challenge, I will push through in honor of you. And every time I love on my daughter, I will thank you again for teaching me how fragile life is. You are an angel sweet Layla, and words will never be enough to express how much you and your family have changed my family’s life. Y’all are in our prayers constantly. We pray for peace for Layla Grace, whether it be here or in Heaven. We pray for Shanna and Ryan, for them to have comfort in knowing that they were the parents of an angel on earth. We pray for Jenna and Claire, that they can understand what an amazing family they are a part of, and that they have peace and comfort for the rest of their lives. God Bless.
My thoughts are with you all. May God hold you all in the palm of his hand. You are all in my prayers.
We have been praying for you ever since we heard of Layla Grace’s story. We recently went through similar circumstances with my husband’s mother; she had colon cancer and had many of the same issues that you describe here. We are with you… We are thankful that Hospice is doing what they can for all of you. May God grant you the peace that you need, and the grace to sustain all of you in the days, hours, and minutes to come.
Praying for peace for your sweet Layla and for your family.
As I lay awake at 3am this morning, comforting my 1yo through her first cold, I could only think of Layla. My prayers are with your family.
I am so sorry. Peace…
Let the poor kid go in peace already….
For you to be able to write something so personal and heartbreaking as this does make you very strong in my eyes. It’s also very strong of you to breakdown and cry as well. I have toge most respect and love for you all. My life and it’s priorities have changed for the better. I pray for a miracle every chance I can. Your family will forever be in my thoughts for as long as I roam this earth. All my love – Laurie
I can’t begin to imagine the pain you are all feeling. I pray for your peace and admire your courage and your strength. My heart is breaking for Layla Grace. I hope your entire family finds even the smallest amount of comfort in knowing that she is surrounded by prayers and thoughts from all over.
I know when things like this happen we want to blame God but I have learned from losing a child that he has a reason for everything. Just know God loves little layla grace and your family. She was sent here to do exactly what you said in your blog bring faith to people who may not have ever experienced it before and bring you and your family closer together and others closer together too. When her journey is over just remember she is always with you… as your guardian angel always looking out for you and your family with love. Love layla and your family more now than you ever have before and keep everyone close. Life is too short to take anyone for granted. God bless little layla grace and her family. You are all an insparation to everyone. God bless
I have just discovered this blog today, and can’t stop thinking about this sweet girl. I have worked on pediatric floors as a nurse and it breaks my heart to see children suffer so much. Let God be your strength through this trying time. He will not give us anything beyond what we are able to handle, even if we think that we are unable to go through it. Thoughts and prayers from Oklahoma with you and your precious family.
Layla has opened my eyes to how quick things in life can change. I am in constant prayer that she has the peace that she so deserves. I stand in awe of your families strength and perseverance and continue to pray for a miracle for Layla. God Bless your family!
In Christ’s love,
Brandi
Georgia
Praying for you without end. I’m praying for comfort and peace for you all, and hoping & praying that our God would deliver a miracle on Layla’s behalf. May you feel Him in a powerful way and know that our family is in prayer for you.
I volunteered for hospice when I was younger.
I believe it is transcendent experience and a privilege beyond compare when you are fully present as a loved one prepares to journey on without you.
I am praying for strength, grace, and peace for you on your journey.
I pray for you every time one of my three children says “mama.”
Sending you as much energy, prayers, good vibes, whatever you need to draw on, to be strong for Layla. I can not even begin to imagine what you must be going through. I have been thinking about Layla all day. I have never been so touched and moved by such a remarkable little angel. You are flooded with prayers from me & I know others. God Bless. ~m2
Words can’t describe the sadness I feel for your family. I promise to pray for Layla and hope for a miracle. Sending much love and prayers your way.
I have been following Layla’s battle for a while now. I have written posts, and then deleted them as I simply struggle to find the right words.
I have read all of the blog posts and follow you on Twitter daily, hoping, praying that Layla will find some peace. I ache for your family and the helplessness you must feel watching your poor baby girl in so much pain.
Please know that your little angel has forever left a mark on our hearts and that we pray for her little body to be free soon.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day. This is a journey no parent wants to take. Your Layla Grace is precious and God is using her in a mighty way. Look how many people’s lives she has touched, how many people know how great is your faith. Our God is an awesome God. He is faithful in the midst of sorrow. He will sustain you.
Oh how my heart breaks for your family. I can’t begin to imagine what you are going through! Although you don’t know me, I just wanted to comment to let you know how I am keeping you in my prayers and will continue to do so. I don’t have the words to let you know how very sorry I am for what you are going through what your sweet girl is suffering. I have been so touched by your sweet Layla and wanted you to know.
Love to you all,
Mandy
My heart just breaks for all of you. I so wish her days would be filled with peace, and for her to never be in pain during this, the final leg of her earthly journey. As a parent, it hurts my heart to think of what this must be like for both of you…and, of course, sweet Layla. I pray that God is with you and sustains you in the days ahead. I know He can take ANYTHING you dish out…so let Him know how you’re feeling. He will not let you fall, He will prop you up…and when the time comes, He will welcome Layla home with open arms, scooping her up in the most loving embrace. Praying without ceasing for you all…
My family and I have been following your journey for several weeks now. I just want to let you know, like many others, our lives are forever changed. You all are in our prayers and I can honestly say that you are like family to us….even though we have never met. I hug my children a little tighter, a little longer. I read “one more” story at bed time, and I relish in the “little” moments more. We’ve got closer to GOD b/c of Layla and your family. Thank you for sharing your story, even when you probably didn’t have the strength or the want to. We love you all and you are in every prayer….We hope to make it to the “rock for Layla” event. God bless you and wrap his loving arms around you all.
The Lanes
New Caney, Tx
I have been praying and crying for your sweet Layla since I came across your blog about a week ago. My heart aches for you and your family. I pray that you will all be comforted and know how much you are loved.
Layla’s story has touch my life in so many ways! I pray for her and your family everyday. She is such an amazing little girl! I pray that she has peace and comfort as well as you and your family. God Bless you
My heart just breaks for you all. Layla has been in my prayers and thoughts since I first heard her story. She is a beautiful child. Breathe her in and relish in every moment you have left with her.
Dear Ryan, thank you for sharing yours and Shanna’s blog post and letting us help be with you through this. You let us into your hearts, your home and you let us all into Layla’s heart and journey. God has brought so many people together through His love working through your little girl Layla.
She is a precious miracle and I will continue praying feverishly for her and for all of you.
I don’t have any comforting words but I pray you can find comfort and peace in the little blessing He has blessed you with lending to you, Layla Grace.
I trust that He is listening to all of us cry out for Layla and I pray that there still is time.
Your little girl’s story and her beautiful eyes have drawn me in and all I can say is that she is a reflection of God’s love, Layla is Amazing Grace, she is love. I love her through Him and I have never felt so close to a family that I have never ever met, as I do with your family and your beautiful Layla.
I pray He continues to wrap you in His loving embrace and that He continues to breathe life into her fragile little body.
I am still praying for a miracle for your little miracle girl. She is so strong, so determined, so courageous. She has made families closer to one another, closer to their children, and she has brought many to their knees in prayer and closer to Him.
I pray He works His miraculous work in Layla and that He keeps her at peace and pain free, I selfishly pray for her to be healed, so that she can grow up with her sisters and they with her, so that her parents can see Layla grow into a beautiful little lady. It may or may not be His will, or His plan, but I still pray for that, for her, for you all. I pray that she is used as an example of His love and faith, that has brought so many together, that He restores her health and rids her body of the cancer, so that she can be hope for all the other children fighting for their lives fighting cancer.
Whatever His will be, I pray He gives you strength and many more moments with her. I thank Him for the time He already has given to her to be with you. I pray He gives her the strength to keep fighting.
My heart is crying for you all. I send my love and prayers.
A complete stranger in ND, who loves you all as if you were my own family.
God give Layla peace tonight, and renew her body with strength in letting her rest pain free in her parents loving arms and beside them.
Love and prayers,
Rebecca
LOST FOR WORDS…I READ THIS AND I CAN’T EVEN BEGIN TO COMPREHEND ALL YOU ARE GOING THRU!! IT’S DEVESTATING AND HEARTBREAKING TO READ AND TAKE ALL IN AND SHE’S NOT EVEN MY OWN CHILD…IT DOESN’T MATTER THOUGH..THERE IS NO WAY THAT ANYONE CAN READ YOUR BLOG AND NOT FEEL PAIN AND SYMPATHY FOR WHAT YA’LL ARE GOING THRU..NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO WATCH THEIR CHILD DIE..I HAVE BEEN PRAYING AND PRAYING FOR GOD TO SAVE HER..BUT THEN WHEN I HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT THE PAIN SHE IS IN, I DON’T WANT THAT FOR HER EITHER!! WHEN I WAKE UP EACH MORNING, I CHECK THE BLOG HOPING TO FIND GOOD NEWS AND ALWAYS THANKFUL THAT YA’LL HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE ANOTHER DAY WITH HER..BUT NEVER DO I WANT HER TO SUFFER..THAT ‘S TERRIBLE, AND I KNOW AS A PARENT ALSO..THAT IS THE LAST THING ON EARTH YOU WANT TO WATCH IS YOUR CHILD SUFFERING!!!..SO WHAT DO I PRAY FOR NOW..I AM SURE YA’LL HAVE ASKED YOURSELFS THE SAME QUESTION..I STILL WANT TO PRAY FOR HER MIRACLE..WHICH I WANT HER MIRACLE TO BE THAT GOD SAVES HER ON THIS EARTH AND SHOWS ALL THESE FOLLOWERS THE POWER OF PRAYER..BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT HE HAS HIS OWN PLAN AND WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT IS… BUT ALL THESE FOLLOWERS HAVE BEEN TOUCHED BY JUST READING HOW STRONG SHE IS AND THE LIVES SHE HAS CHANGED BY WHAT SHE HAS BEEN THRU!!! I KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN…I KNOW IT IS NOT FOR US TO QUESTION IT..BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT EVEN I HAVE ASKED, WHY?? IT’S JUST NOT FAIR!! IF IT HELPS YOU BOTH HAVE PEACE TO WRITE ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY THEN I THINK YOU BOTH ARE TRULY DOING THE RIGHT THING…THE POWER OF PRAYER IS SOMETHING THAT I DON’T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE GRASP..I CAN’T IMAGINE BEING ON THIS EARTH AND NOT BELIEVING IN GOD OR PRAYER..YOUR BLOG I AM SURE HAS BROUGHT MANY PEOPLE CLOSER TO GOD..PROBABLY SAVED A FEW LIVES FOR THE FIRST TIME..AND BROUGHT FAMILIES CLOSER TO THEIR CHILDREN…WHAT AMAZING ACTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED DUE TO ONE CHILD..YOUR CHILD..LAYLA GRACE IS AMAZING…SHE AMAZES ME DAILY HOW STRONG SHE IS TO CONTINUE THIS FIGHT THAT IS SOOOO EVIL ON HER BODY..I PRAY TONIGHT THAT SHE NO LONGER HAS TO CONTINUE TO SUFFER THRU THIS JOURNEY..BUT I ALSO PRAY FOR A MIRACLE..THE ONE THAT ONLY GOD CAN GIVE US…THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY…YOUR BLOG TRULY TUGS ON MY HEART..MUCH LOVE FROM NC AND GOD BLESS YOU BOTH…STEFFIEJ
My many prayers have been for comfort, peace, strength and faith during this time of loss and grieving. Layla Grace is a very special little girl who has touched many and will continue to do so even after she leaves this world. God has his hands on each of you and will not leave you.
Goodnight sweet Layla.
Sara posted above that her and her husband were fasting and praying for you and your Layla. Because of her, my husband and daughter and I have been too. I am so sorry for your pain and for HERS! Still praying fervently to the God who isn’t only our King, but that’s a Father who is tendered toward His children that are hurting.
I was thinking of how you said that her work here on earth was almost complete. When you realize whatever her purpose here is, it will be such a blessing. 12 years ago my 38 year old uncle lost his battle with Hodgkins. He and his wife couldn’t conceive because of his many treatments over many years, and had sought in vitro. He passed in December and my cousin was born in August the following year. He would never know he had a beautiful daughter. I have always wondered if God’s purpose for him was to make sure she was here. I can’t wait to see what difference she makes in this world and know that he’s smiling down on her! How amazing is it that your beautiful Layla must have a part in something fantastic!
Peace to your family and loved ones and your precious Layla!
Danielle L.
“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.” Lamentations 3:32-33
I pray that you feel God’s arms wrapped around you as you all are being lifted up in prayer. It is completely understandable that you would want to scream out & yell. It isn’t supposed to happen this way. A parent is not supposed to watch their child endure this sort of pain. It is also hard to believe that how much you love your daughter, God loves her even more. Whatever Gods plan is for healing your daughter, her rewards will be many. She has touched more lives in 22 months than most people do in 80 years.
So many of us out here haven’t meet your family, but we are grieving with you like you are a close family member. I pray for peace for all of you, and especially for your sweet Layla Grace.
There aren’t words for the trial you are facing, only faith to see the journey through. I cannot say I know your pain, but I have stood close to where you are now. Our precious infant daughter Melissa was called home and drew her last breath in my arms. It’s been many years and I have seen the hand of God at work every minute of everyday through and beyond our pain and grief. My prayers are with you and your precious one. Trust God always.
Praying and crying along with you. Our god is an awesome God!!!!! Never give up on him. He is there, trust that. Praying for a miracle and for comfort for your precious baby girl. Much Love!!!!! <3 <3 <3
Ryan & Shanna~ I am so sorry you are going through this….it is absolutely horrific. I pray and pray to the Lord above that this little girl not suffer anymore. I know she is so tired and hate that she is in pain and has suffered so much. Talk to her tell her you love her, tell her of all the memories you have had together and just love her…the way you have all along. I cannot tell you how many times a day I pray because they are countless or how many times I have cried thinking of your family and of sweet Layla Grace. Prayers from all over are being showered upon Layla and your family….May you feel their presence!!! God please help this little girl!!!!
Layla’s life has impacted so many…I’m just another mom of a girl Layla’s age, praying for you guys…
I am praying for you and your family. What you are dealing with is incomprehensible to me as a parent and my thoughts are with you. I wish peace for Layla, to think of what she’s gone through just takes my breath away and I ache for her. Thank you for your updates and tweets, please know there are so many people caring for your Layla.
May God be with you all.
I know about Layla through friends of facebook that have read her story.
Like many others, my heart cries out for Layla…for you…your wife…your daughters and those, that Layla has touched. She has been and truly, always will be in my thoughts and prayers. My dad is a pastor and this morning he spoke on being closer to God, through pain. I pray that you draw nearer to God with everything you are going through and will go through. Whatever happens, God is there for you… my prayers are there for you. I will continue to pray that the Lord brings Layla peace. <3
I’ve been following your blogs and Twitter updates. Layla’s strength, perseverance, and love has reconnected me with God. I can feel Him wrapping His arms around sweet Layla, cradling her, and preparing her for her most beautiful journey. She’s almost there. And while it may not be what you want, God needs her there. He sees something very special in Layla that can only be brought about in Heaven. She will smile, and laugh, and be in no more pain. She’ll dance on the clouds and light up the skies with her dazzling blue eyes. Her story has touched my soul to the very bottom. Layla has made me aware of a life I never knew about, and will live to the absolute fullest, for her. I pray for Layla and her family every day. I feel like I know her personally. I think everyone has a place for sweet Layla Grace in their hearts. My heart is full of her. God Bless.
Praying that not only Layla Grace has peace tonight,But that her whole family has peace tonight.God Bless All Of You.And God Be with you
Ryan & Shanna
There are no words to express the heartache I feel when I read about your precious Layla… My daughter is almost the same age and I can’t even try to imagine wot u n the rest of the family is goin thru. U have touched my heart and I am praying for Peace and Comfort for lil Layla, such a brave little girl.
Its ok to cry n shake your fists, may God keep u both strong.
Rose n family (United Kingdom)
I know that you probably have said this and will continue to say it, but I can’t help wanting to scream that it ISN’T FAIR!!!! I know life isn’t fair, and whoever said it was lied, but still. IT’S NOT FAIR! There. I said it.
Echoing what everyone else has said, and even what I have said in previous comments, my heart just breaks for your family. Literal pain. Still praying so so so hard.
Our thoughts and prayers from Florida.
I can’t put into words how much my heart is breaking for your family. I have a daughter about the same age as Layla and I hold her a little closer after hearing Layla’s story. I can’t imagine going through what you have been through and what still lies ahead for you. My daughter and I pray for comfort and peace for Layla every night before I tuck her into bed.
After being with my Mom with (hospice at home) through her journey ‘home’, now that I look back, I somehow feel that her journey – no matter how it felt to me – was buffered with a special peace. . . that very special peace that only God can give. I know you want to make everything okay. . . but I also know that your being there, & trusting in God’s very special love & very special plan for your little Layla is everything. . . & all that you can give. My prayers are with you. . . but more so. . . I know that God does have his arms around you all. I hope that you feel His presence & His love.
xo, Bren
From Illinois, sending you my love and prayers for peace for Layla. For peace for all of you. I pray that she feels no pain… You have my love…
Prayer for a Sick Child
Almighty God, and merciful Father, to whom alone belong the issues of life and death:
Look down from heaven, we humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of mercy upon this child now lying upon the bed of sickness:
Visit her, 0 Lord, with thy salvation; deliver her in thy good appointed time from her bodily pain, and save her soul for thy mercies’ sake:
That, if it shall be thy pleasure to prolong her days here on earth, she may live to thee, and be an instrument of thy glory, by serving thee faithfully, and doing good in his generation;
or else receive her into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of them that sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest and felicity.
Grant this, 0 Lord, for thy mercies’ sake, in the same thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
Amen.
Still praying with ceasing for your family. Thank you for being so open to all of us. There are so many of us out here that don’t know you but feel your pain. Maybe the miracle will be different than that we are praying for…. Your child and family has touched me more than words can ever describe. In Christ Alone.
From New Brunswick, Canada
We are praying for you all… There is comfort at the feet of our precious Lord.
Your faith in Jesus is such a testimony for believers. I pray for her every day. Your Tweets get Retweeted to my followers and FB friends. I pray that LaylaGrace is reunited with our Lord soon and without anymore pain. I am asking God to send His peace to you.
in His love and grace,
Karen
Im still praying and I’m following you on twitter! She’s so strong and it amazes me! I don’t think I have the strength
praying for peace for layla and your family….your family has touched me in ways i cant even explain….God bless
From the moment that I read Layla Grace’s story, I’ve been praying. I think deep down this is every parents fear, to see their child suffer. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I used to use Twitter to catch up on the gossip, latest news, etc. But I use it now to see how Layla Grace is doing. Each tweet I see I hope for a miracle.
But I think Layla Grace is the miracle. Someone so young has renewed people’s faith, brought them back to prayer… God bless you and your family, especially little Layla Grace.
this is the exact reason why there is no God; what God would allow something like this to happen to an innocent child? what lesson is learned to allow a child to suffer, allow a family to suffer? what horrid thing did the marsh family do to deserve this?
unlike the rest of the people that are commenting on this tragedy, this shows there can be no God. i think of it like this: if i was God, i would never, in my wildest fantasies and dreams, give a 1 year old baby a horrible tumor wrapping around her abdomen to her kidney. id never force her mom and dad to have to make the decision to fill her body with poisons and toxins on the off-chance it could save her life. does this mean im better than God? yes, it does. And thats impossible! isnt God supposed to be all knowing, all being, all wonderful?
if God does exist, he isnt the ever loving and wonderful deity we imagine. Hes a sadist, a torturer and an evil being.
Its all random. whether you pray or not, sometimes the chemo works, sometimes it doesnt. one baby is saved, poor layla isnt. all random luck. i wish i could believe, like most of you do, that it isnt and theres a purpose for all this agony that the marshes have endured. at least it brings some comfort. but im a realist. im not easily fooled. i wish i was- believe me, i really really do! i wish i lived in la- la land but i cant force meself to believe in what obviously isnt there.
heres how i view this awful affliction that was randomly bestowed upon the poor marshes: they lost 1.5 precious years of their lives to a random disease which will probably bankrupt them, no matter how much $$ we donate; their surviving girls (especially the older one) will have life-long nightmares (in one form or another) of the baby sister who died a cruel death, and this ordeal will somehow, in one way or another, make them bitter, eventually.
you may think im one of the bitter ones, too. on the contrary; my family is, for now, blessed beyond ones wildest dreams. we are all healthy, wealthy, and mostly wise (not always, though). but this can, and will, turn on a dime, eventually. death, and the threat of tragedy and death, visits EVERYONE! my familys turn is coming. our blessings will eventually end and it will be our turn for the random assault of disease and tragedy.
i wont be praying to God, however, for a miracle. i will be praying that our choice of doctors and hospitals are good. and then it will be our turn to see how the random luck works out.
as for prayers: i pray the hospice nurses are competent enough to help little layla as she exits this world, that the insurance companies forgive most of the medical bills and the marshes are able to move on, quickly.
This too shall pass!! I sit here in my living room crying out to Jesus for this to pass for you all. Whether that be for God to give Layla a new body on earth, or in heaven. I have NEVER shed so many tears for people I have never met, but I truly love and feel for your family! I can hardly sleep, I am praying SO hard for that little angel and you.
It just makes me think that if I, a stranger, can feel this sorrow, what is the Lord feeling right now. He Loves her SO much, though we can never understand His full plan! It makes me think of the story of how Jesus wept when he saw Mary crying over her brother’s death, though Jesus knew he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. John 11:32-35 He is weeping with you, though HE KNOWS of the Glory that will come for Layla soon! I still pray for a miracle here on earth, but either way, you will have a miracle. Layla is a miracle! If Jesus decides to take this child into his hands, she will be out of a world of pain and sorrow and have a new body. She will be dancing with the angels. And I thank God that he sent this angel to dance with us here on earth. Though you don’t feel strong, through your weakness, He is strong in you and that is evident to all who follow this! Thanks for sharing your angel with us………..much love and continued prayers
our prayers go to her and the family,God has better things for all of you guys in life!
Our prayers are with your family and your sweet Layla. The strength of your family leaves us in awe. Hang in there and know that people around the country are thinking of all of you constantly.
I am in awe of y’alls faith. To see your heart and how many people comment and are following on twitter allows us to experience the body of christ in a real way. Layla is a very special girl to have drawn so many people in. We are also praying for Layla and your family.
We are praying for this precious child and your entire family. We will pray for peace for her and all of you. Our hearts are truly with you.
Prayers for extended strength for you and your wife and prayers for more peaceful passing of your sweet baby girl.
From Canada
Please know that thoughts and prayers from Alaska are with you and your dear family, especially adorable Layla Grace. We pray for comfort and healing as well as the strength to get through this battle. I find your story inspirational as we lost a friend ourselves at a young age to cancer last September.
My prayers are with your family and your daughter Layla Grace. My heart aches for you and I pray that peace be hers.
You guys are so, so, so loved…
Praying for your sweet baby.. I can’t even imagine, my heart hurts for you all.
Praying for you. Praying for peace and strength.
Em
From Australia
May the angels ease beautiful Layla’s pain and guide her home. You are all in my prayers. Layla’s suffering is not in vain, her body may be frail but her soul is strong, this I can see in her pictures. God has graced you with a beautiful angel that He will be calling home far too early. Keep faith.
My heart aches for this little girl. I ask God all time why these things happen to babies when they are so innocent. Whatever plan God has for Layla only he knows. I think about her all the time and when i do I cry and I pray. My daughters are 3 and 17 and I do not know what I’d do in your situation. I know I will not take them for granted anymore and getting upset over spilled juice is dumb when things could be so much worse. I’ll keep praying for you all that peace is with you and that Layla is peaceful and not in pain.
I have been praying every day, multiple times a day for Layla and your family. I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through. My heart aches for you every single day. Layla is such a fighter, and I pray that she has comfort and peace, along with your family. I know God is watching and waiting to take her to the gates of heaven where she will no longer know pain and only know joy & peace!!!! Many hugs & prayers!!
constant prayers from Maine for sweet Layla and you’re entire family.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Lots of Love and Prayers for Layla Grace, and her family!!
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
We are praying for peace for Layla, and for all of your family as well. It makes me cry to imagine that sweet angel has any pain. She has done more in her life than most of us ever will, and she has made me a better mother through her story. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, and please know that every day I will think of Layla and be thankful that she has taught me how to love my babies a little better.
My family has been praying for you guys since we started reading. Especially for little Layla’s comfort right now. You have been in our thoughts so much, and we hate that you have to go through this. our hearts are just aching and grieving for you all.
Holding your family in my heart and sending up prayers for Layla’s comfort as well as a miracle.
thank you so much for letting us understand you and your pain. What you would have wanted for Layla so many of us will make sure to do with our children because you have shared her with us. I hope you can feel some of the love everyone has for her and you and your sweet girls surrounding you in this terrible terrible time.
Layla has a family of thousands who wish desperately they could help her and can’t. I look at my little girl and see Layla.
Praying for you and sweet Layla. I can’t imagine your pain & heartache! I hope Layla is comfortable and you can find peace.
Still praying here at the White household … Our girls and I are grieved but are so in awe of your faithfulness …. we are praying strongly for comfort and peace …. PLEASE dear Jesus allow the suffering to stop!
You and your family and your beautiful Miss Layla are in our thoughts and prayers.
My heart just broke when I read this latest post and I am sobbing as I write. I wish there was something I could do for little Layla. I am so sorry to hear about the pain she is in and the difficulty with treating it. Nobody wants their child to live like this, and nobody wants to live this way. I am so angry for your situation. I just pray for a quick, peaceful and pain free passing. This is just terrible. Father God, this is so unjust. Please send your angels to be with Layla and take her to be with you so that she may no longer be in pain and may be made perfect and whole. I pray this with my entire being. Amen.
On my own blog tonight I wrote about how great dads are-Dads always go the extra step, give an extra scoop of ice cream or a few extra spending dollars. Moms indulge too but not they way dads do. I suppose maybe you are sending up a few extra prayers or stealing a few extra hugs with your precious Layla. I wonder how hard it is to pray for her to go to her Savior in peace. I can’t imagine how difficult that is for you as I think of my own precious angel , who is Layla’s age, sleeping soundly in her crib. But tonight as I say my prayers I will indulge and say a prayer for peace for Layla and your family. May she go quietly in the night. Godspeed.
This was a prayer in our service book tonight at church. It reminded me of your family.
-Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, comfort the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake.
AMEN
I found your blog a few days ago… I have been praying for little Layla and your family and crying too. I have been holding my babies extra close. Your little Layla is amazingly strong, I am so sorry for the way she is suffering now. I will continue to pray.
I am so very sorry.
God bless you and your family.
Can’t see the monitor for the tears.
What a precious angel.
I just read Layla’s story tonight for the first time after seeing a post on APA. I am in tears reading just a few blogs–this is so sad and there has been such an amazing outpouring of sympathy from complete strangers. I have a 4 month old baby girl and reading your story makes me treasure her even more. I am so sorry that this is happening to your family. I will be praying for you tonight and for little Layla. I’m so sorry for the pain she is in and I hope He will bring relief soon for all of you, in whatever form. Take heart that one day we will know why things like this happen and that we will see our precious loved ones again one day. I do believe and have faith that this is so.
God bless you all!
The Marsh Family has taught me so much in the short time I’ve known about their precious angel Layla Grace. Praying for Layla and her family has brought me closer to the Lord than I’ve been in years. I can’t say I know what you’re going through because I don’t; but your strength and courage has helped me overcome a recent bout with my depression.
I ask the Lord to take away her pain and give her comfort so you can continue to hold her in your arms.
Those who live in the Lord never see each other for the last time.
I want you to know that my entire family is praying so hard for all of you. My heart breaks for you. I have been following you on Twitter and Facebook as well as reading your blogs. Layla Grace’s story has made me stand back and take a long look at how I spend my time. I’m less concerned with getting “things” done and more concerned with making sure I spend more time with my husband and children. May God Bless Layla Grace and all of you.
I can’t even begin to imagine what you all are going through. My heart cries for Layla’s pain as well as yours. I’ve been storming the gates of Heaven with prayer since I heard your story. I think we just live right around the corner from ya’ll. If there’s anything you need, please let us know.
Hugs and prayers from the Hoyt Family
I AM PRAYING GOD WILL PUT A HEALING ON HER WEATHER HERE OR IN HEAVEN MAY GOD BLESS YOU LAYLA WE LOVE YOU
Praying for peace for your baby girl!
I am praying for comfort, both mental and physical, for y’all and Layla. God took my daughter home early. While it is the worst thing to ever happen to a parent, I find comfort in the fact that she is not in pain and is at home with God. May you find comfort during these times. You are a wonderful family and it is amazing how much love Layla has known in such a short time. People live till they are old and never feel that sort of love. Bless you for showing her.
With love and prayers,
Tabatha
Stockdale, Texas
My heart is breaking…it has been for days, but even more so with your latest post. I will prayer harder and more often for peace and comfort for sweet Layla.
I have been praying several times a day for that beautiful Layla and your familly. Your blogs and tweets give us a little taste of what you are going through. I could not imagine watching my own child go through what Layla is. She has made me enjoy my kids more and my family for that matter. God please let this child go in peace she has fought enough and this family has been through enough. My heart aches for you and your family and may God give you the strenght to get through this. And thank you for sharing Layla’s story will all of us. Every time I read a new tweet or post I cry. I will never forget Layla as I know many others won’t.
I’m praying for you and your family during this difficult time. I pray for Layla to have peace. You are very special parents to have such a beautiful little girl. Thinking of you, Andrea from Los Angeles
I only learned about Layla’s journey just last week. A friend of mine’s granddaughter was just diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma mid January, and my heart just hurts seeing Savannah going through what she is going through. So, when I heard about Layla I cried as well. I cannot imagine the roller coaster of emotions that you have been through. I have briefly scanned over the comments on your blog as well as on Facebook and Layla’s journey truly has touched many lives. Your precious little girl is a testament to God’s love.
I wanted to share some words to a song I sang many years ago titled “You Make it Rain for Me”. I am not sure any words I can say will help your heavy hearts, but the words to this song are a reminder to me that in all things… God is there.
You led me down the rocky road to teach my feet to stand. You led me through the valley low, so I would hold Your hand. And, on the raging sea of time, You taught my eyes to see. Like the flower the rain helps me to grow and You make it rain for me. You formed the clouds with Your own hands to hide the light of day. So that I will learn to trust in You all along the way. And, Lord I won’t question tears I’ve cried while down on bended knee. For when my soul gets thirsty Lord… You make it rain for me.
May God grant Layla and your family the peace you seek.
My family and I are praying for your little girl. When i was three (i’m currently 21) i was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and went through a year of chemotheraphy treatments at Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. I want you and your family to know that miracles do happen, and this is a disease that can be fought and WON. Your sweet little girl must be so strong and your family as well. Layla, keep fighting baby girl, show cancer how strong you are.
While praying for your family today, I asked God what good could come from this terrible terrible illness to Layla and how can her life not be sacrificed for nothing – I started thinking about all of the people you have touched and how I am a better mom now because of learning about you all and what you are going through. Then I read your update tonight and you mention how you have gotten closer to eachother and people have been brought to God – I just wanted you to know another personal story and thank you for sharing this part of your life with all of us that now love your daughter. I have two daughters that will now have more of their mom’s love and attention because of layla – what all these children deserve. I will keep you all in my prayers and thank you for the updates, you are on my mind all day and night. love, andrea k.
We are crying and prayiing with you! She is such a miracle! I read a post of a woman that hadn’t been to church since 1999, but she went today, to pray for Layla! Layla has accomplished more here on earth during her short stay than most people do in a lifetime! God bless her and keep her. I pray for her to be at peace, and I pray for God to give you and Shanna peace and to help you heal.
Lots of love and prayers your way!
May God give you the strength that you need to make it through this. I am praying that God will keep Layla free from pain. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Praying for peace and comfort for Layla and the whole Marsh family. I think and pray for you all constantly.
Fly
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven’s love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem’ry bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don’t waste a breath, don’t shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don’t wait for me
Above the universe you’ll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won’t forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
Sung By: Celine Dion
In memory of her niece
i pray every night for layla’s peace, and for you and shana’s(and everyone else involved) strength and peace as well.
my heart goes out to you, and others who have been in similar situations!
God bless and be with you…as i am sure He is.
As I read your posts with tears for your family and precious Layla rolling down my face, I pray for peace and comfort for all of you. No parent should have to face this, but our Heavenly Father watched his own child die on the cross for our sins. He knows your pain, and His love will comfort you even though your hearts ache beyond belief.
I lay down for a nap with my own precious two year old daughter Grace and thought of you. I don’t ever want to take the blessing of a healthy child for granted. Life is too fragile and precious. I will carry Layla and you in my heart and in my prayers. Bless you for sharing your journey.
There are no words. My heart aches for your family. Your beautiful baby girl as well as your entire family are in my prayers everyday. I commend your faith during this devistating process. I pray for sweet, precious Layla to be in peace. I am so heart broken for your family. Love and prayers sent everyday.
I heard your story last week on fb….praying praying praying every since. What a amazing beautiful special baby your laya is….bless your family
Your family has touched so many lives all over the country. Layla is truly an angel. Praying for Layla and your family…from Dallas.
As a parent, my heart aches for you. I am new to your journey, but have read every blog, so overcome with emotion that I can barely make it through them. I pray not only for sweet Layla, but for you two and her big sisters. As a mom and sister, I can’t imagine the anguish you’re all going through. Please God, provide comfort for this tired, hurting family. Thank you for sharing your story and helping us all to cherish the sweet little breaths of our children, for none of us know when it will be the last.
I simply cannot imagine.
I watched my Dad pass away last February from stomach/bowel cancer, and it was horrific. He fought so valiantly, but it wasn’t peaceful like I hoped.
However, I *know* now that he is not in pain anymore. He’s now able to smile, laugh, eat, and be the boisterous man he once was. I told him, it was okay to go, that God needs him more than we do. He always said, he wasn’t at all scared… that there was something comforting about knowing his Father was waiting with open arms. And, I feel my father with me each and every day. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel him here with me.
Layla will soon be whole, again. This I know in my heart. I pray that God is merciful… and I pray for your family, your other two precious girls, and I pray that you will get through this together. Stronger. Layla would want that.
Love and hugs.
I was in tears as I was reading this. My heart goes out to Layla and the family! I don’t even know her, and never met her, but I do keep her in my prayers every night. From PA
I find it so easy to fall in love with sweet Layla and I don’t even know her! I think that is how everyone feels that has been introduced to her through twitter and facebook. She has the face of an angel. Her beauty is beyond words. She has been in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I am constantly asking God how he could ever do this and what his means are behind it. I see the answer everytime I come to check for updates by seeing how much Layla has affected my life and faith, and so many others as well. I am astounded by how strong she is- it is unreal, and how strong you and your family’s faith is. It has not shaken nor lessen and I praise you for that. May God continue to be with Layla and your family.
From Oklahoma, we am praying for your family.
Keep trusting.
I don’t even know how to express my sympathy for what you and your whole family is going through. I read through this blog and literally tears run down my face thinking of what you all have been going through the past year or so. Layla is a BEAUTIFUL girl and you have a beautiful family. I pray that God is watching over you and your family and a miracle will happen. Please know that my prayers go out to all of you and I wish for the best for your family.
Stay strong.
Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Marsh for sharing your journey of Layla’s battle to us. Had you not – so many lives would not have been touched by this little warrior and your amazing family. I have only known about Layla for a week now but and have shed so many tears for all of you. You are in my thoughts literally 24/7 and I pray for peace for her sweet little soul AND for all of you. God bless all of you!!!
I can’t even think straight right now…I am so devestated for you both. I cannot put into words how sorry I am that your precious baby has had to go through this horrible horrible illness. I would give my right arm right now for Layla to have peace and comfort. I have prayed for Layla and your family like I have never prayed before, and although I have also struggled with feeling angry with God over the past few weeks, I feel closer to Him than I have in a long time. You are right – He can handle it. Please know we all just adore your family, your precious beautiful angel who has changed lives and touched SO many hearts. I am praying like crazy for her, for you all. God Bless you Layla Grace.
I hope you know that you do not have to explain yourself to anyone. Without a doubt, you and Shanna are the best caretakers that little Layla could ever hope to have. My heart is so sad for all of you. I choose to believe that the suffering you see Layla going through is merely what we are meant to see. In truth, God is keeping Layla safe from experiencing any pain or discomfort. She truly has touched so many people. Thank you for sharing her with all of us and may God bless you and your family with comfort and peace.
I am so sorry for all the pain that your beautiful Layla is having to endure. As a long-time nurse, I have seen plenty of death and dying, but never a young child. It just is not fair that she has to go through all of this, and then on top of it be allergic to the morphine that would bring some pain relief!! Praying for peace for sweet Layla……..with much love………
Praying for peace and comfort…even if they do not come on the way we originally wanted it to come. Please know Layla Grace and you have brought much perspective to many of us…thanks to you all we hug our love ones a little tighter, we are a little more patient and we take the time to enjoy our times together more…that is a tall order to achieve it in such a short amount of time…more proof of how special this little girl is…and how amazing her family is. Tonight as I explained to one of my 9 yrs old about Layla Grace and how God was not mad at her and giving her this horrible disease but actually so proud of her and knew she was so special only she could this His work at this time he told me to send you all a message that now he understood God a little bit better so if that was her mission to now give her Peace…so for peace I shall pray for all of you. God Bless!!
So many prayers have been said for your sweet Layla & family, and so many tears shed.. My heart aches for you all. Your angel has touched our lives in so many ways, and our hearts and lives will forever be changed. Thank you, for sharing your story w/ so many of us. This precious little girl is truly an angel of His word, and will continue to be each & every single day. ♥♥♥
-The Barnlund Family
praying God’s will be done…swiftly and peacefully. You are bringing so much Glory to Him even through your grieving/pain. He is a God who sees, a God who hears, a God who is with you.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to that precious little Layla and her Mom and Dad. We have a 20 month old little boy and it makes me smile to know that soon he will have a sweet angel named Layla who will watch over him.
I do not know how your family has the strength to do what you do. I cannot read your blog without crying my eyes out. I have a 4 year old daughter and know how devestated I would be if I were in your place. I pray that God continues to be with your family and those that are caring for little Layla. Your family has made me think about so many things and look at the wolrd differently. You are all amazing! I pray that your precious angel is soon at peace in the arms of our Lord.
Words aren’t enough at a time like this.
My heart and all of being go out to you and your daughters right now.
I pray for Layla, I pray the Lord can give her peace and comfort at this time.
You are an amazing family with lots of love and strength.
I just want you to know that we are thinking of you and your family.
I just recently started following Layla’s story & it is heartbreaking. She is so beautiful and you are blessed to have been lent her for this short time. You are all in my prayers & my heart goes out to you. Love from Oklahoma…Cece
I cant even begin to grasp the pain you must be feeling. I have no idea what it is like to watch someone die, esp my own child. My heart breaks for you and your family. You are living what no parent should have to live through. I found Layla Grace a week or two ago through Mckmama, and haven’t stopped praying since. I have probably prayed more this week than I have all year to be honest. I’m ashamed to admit that, but it is what it is. I wish so badly for peace in her remaining days. Layla has really taught me to enjoy the little moments with my children and to just pray!!! God bless..and may He hold her in His arms.
I was directed to your site last night from a friend on Facebook- I have prayed without ceasing for your family.
I pray God will wrap his arms around you, comfort you all and provide for you what you need- because my human brain can not comprehend the journey you are traveling right now.
In less than 24 hours your sweet angel Layla Grace has touched my heart so deeply. My youngest niece was tested for Neuroblastoma this Winter was a year ago, she was not diagnosed with this disease but two other conditions.
I will continue to pray for your family for many years, yes years to come!!!
Layla and your family are encapsulate strength in a way that has inspired so many. Thank you for reminding me what the true meaning of trusting in Him is. He will be there with open arms to welcome your sweet baby girl at the gates of heaven. It will also be His hands that will lift you up in the coming days to give you continued strength. I wish you peace and thank you for the unparalleled trust in God. You have reminded so many just how precious life is. Prayers are coming to you from Columbus, Ohio.
tears are streaming down my face as i read this. i pray for peace for all of you and especially for little Layla. you can tell us all that you and Shanna aren’t strong and brave, but let me tell you… you are 2 of the most amazing people and Layla is lucky to have you as parents! i pray day and night for Layla and wish more than anything for a miracle… short of that, i pray she isn’t in pain and knows how much she is loved by people all over the world.
strength and bllessings to all of you.. her sisters included.
My heart is aching for you and your family. I wish I could take away Layla’s pain. I am sending constant prayers for peace and relief for her and your family. Thank you for sharing your precious daughter with all of us. She has touched many, many hearts.
wow i cant believe that this could happen to such a precious child. me and my husband want a child and i couldnt ever imagine this happening to my child well any child. i’ve recently started following you guys on twitter and i NEVER used my twitter till a friend of mine told me about little layla. she thought that i was just using the name layla but thats my real name. and once i started reading your guys blog i just read along and cry at the same time. i went to church today and i prayed and i pray before i go to bed. hoping for a merical for her. but if god desides that he wants his angel, then thats what he wants. just know that when her time comes that she wont suffer any more and she will be in a better place.-Layla
We’ve been crying with you through this entire journey.
Today as I read tweets on Layla’s progress, I kept asking my husband, “Why? Why?” We’ve recently lost three loved ones to cancer, and I struggle to understand God’s will sometimes.
Layla has strengthened my faith in God. Her courage, your love, and your faith has reminded me what a dedicated servant looks like.
My husband told me that we cannot understand why until we kneel at God’s feet in Heaven. His plans are beyond the understanding of our earthly minds. You and Layla have reminded me of what it means to have faith.
We send our love, and we are sending our prayers for your sweet, sweet little baby. We pray that He ease her pain, hold her in His arms, comfort her. We also pray that He comfort you. Please know that we are fighting for you.
God bless you.
I have started following Lalya’s story this week. I was wondering how much you were not saying because I too am a cancer mom (my oldest Brooke was diagnosed with leukemia last year when she was 5). I know that sometimes it is difficult to express the true reality that you see in your child and the effects on your other children. I have been praying for you and asking all my friends to pray for you on this journey that you find yourself on. I pray God’s comfort and peace to ALL of your family and for Layla to be healed completely, to see the place that Jesus has prepared for her and be able to sing and play with her angels.
I’ve been following your family’s story for just a short while now, but know that you’ve been in our family’s prayers constantly since then. I’m still praying for a miracle, but also for peace. Reading about your sweet baby has really but a lot of things into perspective. Every time I read your blog I go hug my almost 2 yr old baby, and my other two children. Our children are such precious gifts. Your baby has blessed and touched so many people’s lives.
I am so very sorry this is happening. I pray for yours and Layla’s peace.
Praying in the last few pecious moments, Jesus hold sweet Layla in your arms and take away all her pain and suffering. Please comfort her and let her feel your presence. Surround her with your angels, may their songs calm her spirit and bring her joy.
Peace, grace, and love to you all.
I find myself checking for updates on Layla several times a day. In hope for either a miracle or news she has went to be with God peacefully! It is tearing me up inside knowing this little angel is suffering and is so miserable. My family is praying for not only Laylas comfort but the comfort of your entire family during this process.
My heart goes out to you. I also found your blog thru McMamma blog, and I have also been praying for you and keeping Layla in my thoughts. I was downhill skiing yesterday, and while waiting in line for the chair lift I found myself writting Layla’s name in the snow with my ski pole over and over again. I’ll be praying that the peace comes that Layla needs.
Oh this breaks my heart. I am praying for Layla praying for God to heal her praying for a miracle! Hoping for a miracle praying for peace and comfort for Layla for your family for her precious sisters. I check Twitter constantly to see if there are updates so I know how to pray. My children 4 and 2 and I stop and pray for Layla several times a day. Boo my 2 year old girl prays for Layla when she says grace.
My heart breaks for sweet Layla and I have shed tears… And asked God why? But His plan is perfect an I know that has to be hard to understand. Layla has touched so many lives. Praying for peace and comfort for Layla and your whole family.
Love in Christ, Jodee, Mason (4) & Kyra (2)
I have not stopped thinking or crying about sweet Layla since I first read about her. I have been praying so hard for a miracle for her. I am so sorry that this is happening. There are no words really, just know that I am praying for her constantly.
I lie on the couch with my 7 month old and she falls asleep while I am reading this awesome post and wonder how many hours it will take me to let someone pry her from my arms? I too am sitting here cherishing every breath this precious girl takes, and almost feeling guilty that it takes tragedy for me to appreciate it so much. Thanks so much for sharing your strength and courage to me, and making me try to comprehend your thoughts. My family loves you and your family. When it is my turn to go home to our savior, or when I have to see one of my loved ones make that journey, I hope I have your faith and confidence of where we are going like you do for that precious girl.
praying for comfort and peace… For all of you, especially Layla Grace. She has touched my heart more than you know.
What can anyone possibly say that hasn’t been said before? What can anyone say that will express how awful this is? There just aren’t words. There aren’t. They will never cover it. The Steven Curtis Chapman song “Heaven is the Face” comes to mind. There will be a day when the cancer is gone and there are no more good byes. Someday. Praying for your whole family and sweet Layla Grace.
I have been praying so hard for Layla and your entire family. I hope Layla’s fight will be over soon, whether a miracle happens and she gets better or God takes her into His arms. I have been spreading Layla’s story throughout my high school and youth group.
Layla’s fight has helped me grow and learn so much. From the moment I read her story I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I want to be a Neuroblastoma Specialist. No one should have to go through what your daughter has and I want to know everything there is to know. I want to fight along with the families who are going through the same things you are. I want to find a cure!
Thank you Layla Grace for changing my life.
fellow Texan in Ridgefield, WA
I was complaining about my crazy kids and God led me to your website. I sat there and read your prayers for the things that I was complaining about. Since then , Layla and your family have been on my heart. My husband asked me why I read your blog if it just brings me to tears every time. I told him if you have the strength to endure it and write it, then I have the strength to read it.
Please Lord, bring sweet Layla peace and your healing hand. Let her body find relief and feel the immense love of her family and community.
I will continue to pray for Layla every day, as many times as I can.
Bless you and know that I am spreading the prayer chain here in the NW!
Praying for peace, comfort and strength for Layla and your family. Your beautiful little girl has opened my eyes to what’s really important. Thank you for sharing your story.
I continue to pray, weep and follow your journey with Layla Grace as a mother, a believer and a pediatrician. Your faith thru such hardship, such pain is an amazing testament to our Lord, and I thank you for sharing your pain. Your suffering helps to remind us of our precious gifts, and helps bring us closer to God as well. We raise each of you up to God, and pray for peace, comfort and strength thru this dark valley. May you feel God’s arms wrapped around you every day.
I have been crying for over a week for your sweet Layla, I can not imagine what you are going through as parents. I pray for her daily and I hope that peace will be with her soon.
She has changed the world, you can not have hoped for more.
My heart breaks for Layla and for your family. Reading your blogs has made me cry for hours and hurt so deeply for your family. Layla has truly moved me. I will never again take a day with my own daughters for granted. I cannot imagine the pain that you experience losing a child. Your faith in the Lord moves me. I pray daily for your family and think of Layla often. I pray for comfort for her and her tired body, I pray that the lord grants her the peaceful departure that she now deserves. Layla has touched so many lives and although she was here for such a short bit she has achieved so much. She is truly an angel. God bless you Layla… I have never met you but you are dearly loved by so many.
I am so sorry and pray for peace for your family and sweet precious Layla. I came upon this blog not long ago and can not tear myself away, it is the first and last thing I check on the internet everyday in addition to several times a day. The pictures are so beautiful and I LOVE the one where she is on your shoulder dad it is so so so sweet.
I cry for you and your family and hope and pray that you get a miracle!
Lots of prayers from Alberta, Canada for your entire family & Layla. Prayers in hope that Layla will feel peace and comfort. My heart goes out to you all (((hugs))).
I have been following your story the first day it was posted. I have been beside my bed on bended knees asking for a miracle for your baby. I look through this list at the miracle that she has brought all of us. People get so busy with there own lives they forget each others love for Jesus Christ. Thank you Layla and may God be right beside you and comforting you and your parents… God Bless You and he will come at the exact moment.
Layla,
You have captured my heart, I think about you and don’t even know you. I have been hurt by hypocritical Christians, but when I read about Layla my heart yurns to pray again, and forgive, in hopes to help Baby Layla. I cry at the though of her pain, Family please hang in there, know millions are praying for your baby, and her peace. God Bless you…
I am praying for peace for beautiful Layla and for your family.
((((((((hugs)))))))
God bless you. You are all in my prayers. I wish you did not have to say goodbye.
Just heard about your story about a week ago and it has been on my mind night and day. I have a 19 month old son and I can literally FEEL the pain when I read your blogs. I am SO sorry that life is so hard right now. I cannot imagine enduring even an hour of what you are going through. I knew a little girl who had Neuroblastoma named Gloria Strauss, and went to heaven at the age of 11. Seeing what her family went through was heartbreaking. There is a book with her story called “Gloria’s Miracle”. Your family is on my mind, in my heart, and in my prayers. We are praying for peace, for comfort and for God’s will to be done.
I am sorry my part of this journey has been only here, at this end of the life Layla has shared with you. I am so honored to have been given the opportunity to gather behind you and offer the little that I can through witnessing the courage and grace you all have shown. I wish you peace, memories, joy and a life rich with the knowledge that you will be reunited. Blessings on you, blessings!
South Carolina’s got you guys in our prayers. Your family’s journey has spread like wildfire throughout our state and we are proud to say we are supporting you guys even from afar.
Praying for you and Layla in Wrens, GA…your story has spread far and wide. Praying for strength for you and healing for Layla.
I am so sorry that Layla, that all of you are going through this. I don’t know you, but I feel like I do. I feel like in a way I’ve been standing, sitting, crying, right there in your shoes before. The process of death….everything you described…it’s all too real to me. I sat by my dad’s side and watched him leave me in the same way – cancer -, after caring for him 24/7, for months. It was a lot on me to do alone, 1200 miles from my home and new husband, at 22 years old. God got me through every second because if He hadn’t had his hand on me, I wouldn’t have survived it myself. I know where you are in so many ways and I feel connected to your family through that pain and this trial. I found myself at the very end of my Dad’s life, the last hours, asking for the same peace….Just pleading with the Lord, let him be pain free…let him just go if you need him. And miraculously, he never had any pain in those end times.
I just want you all to know, The Lord WILL help you through all this and there are people you may never meet, may never see or speak to….that are hurting with you and have your back and you in their prayers…who are sharing the tears with you. Between them and the Lord, just know you don’t have to carry the hurt all alone.
God Bless you all and I pray for peace for Layla and for your whole family….peace and strength and healing in the times you’ll be needing it.
Love to you all,
Jen
*I wrote the poem the other day, and wanted to include it here for you…..*
For Layla.
In a corner of heaven
God made a special place
For the most precious Angel…
By the name of Layla Grace
He knew one day He’d call her
To his Kingdom up on high
He knew some hearts though He’d have to break
Some tears the saints would cry
But He had a plan for Layla
Many hearts in this world she’d touch
Many people she’d help draw nearer to Him
Countless lives she’d change so much
So as she sheds this earthly body
Into the Fathers arms she’ll fly
Free of all pain and boundaries
A new Angel, A bright new star in the sky
Reunited one day we will all be
Smiles upon every face
The day we all meet in heaven
Forever with Layla Grace
Thoughts of your sweet Layla cross my mind several times each day. As with thousands more, she has touched my life in the most heartbreaking, yet most powerful way. Layla has made me a better mother to my children. I lost my stepfather to cancer and saw the final week which is much like you have described…it is not fair for anyone to go through this but just incomprehensible for this to be happening to a child. My faith is strong so I know it is okay to question, but also know that we won’t know the answer until it is our time.
I have prayed and will continue to pray each day, each night, for peace and comfort for Layla and the family.
We are praying for a miracle because we know God is bigger than Layla’s cancer-also know that we are praying for you and Shanna daily. God bless.
You are in our prayers. I will pray for peace for her and for you.
I wish I had the perfect thing to say to all of you. The words to tell you how much you, your family, your stength have touched so many people. My family lives in WI and I’m not completely sure how we first heard about your lovely Layla Grace but she has been a constant part our our thoughts and prayers ever since. You are an amazing family and give have shown so many people what it means to love, believe, and have faith. God bless you all!!
I have been following you guys for a week now and I have been praying constantly that she gets better and for you guys to have the strength you need to get through each day.
Praying for peace and strength for Layla and your family.
I just started following your blog this week after finding out that my daycare provider, Dara McDonald and my coworker, Deanna Perkins know each of you respectively. My heart breaks for you every time I read more about your horrific ordeal. Your regrets on Valentines Day made me take a hard look at my own life and how many times I complain about mundane things like how many times I get interrupted when doing housework. I take time every morning to pray for various things in my life, but now that I know about your family, you are my one long prayer every morning. It is all I can do for you and your precious Layla. You can’t imagine what an impression you have made on my life, even though I know this is the worst way to have to make that impression. God’s peace, love, and grace be with all of you.
Praying for you all!!! Especially peace and comfort for sweet layla grace. You are such an amazing strong family, an inspiration for us all!!!
Please know Layla has touched me and changed my life forever. I don’t take my children or the little things for granted. I no longer wish for peace and quiet around the house. I lavish the sounds, screams and laughter. I’m a better mother because of your child. I have been touched my little, precious Layla and pray for a miracle every day. May the Lord bless your family in this most difficult time. Thank you for sharing Layla with us.
my tears are pouring right now. i pray for peace for y’all and mostly for sweet Layla. she is so lucky to have such amazing parents – you both inspire me! i have been praying for a miracle … but am also realistic and also pray for peace and rest for her tired little body. i pray for the peace of God to surround you and your girls. i do hope you know that Layla Grace has had a massive impact on the world. she truly has touched so many lives and made many parents more aware that each day is a blessing with our children.
i pray that you feel God’s love in every moment of everyday.
~Lisa McCoy and family (Tim, Abby, Cooper and Parker)
Oh, your struggle – Layla’s struggle – is breaking my heart. I literally can’t imagine anything worse and I am in awe of your strength. My prayers are with you, but I feel that they aren’t enough. I wish I had more to give.
Oh my goodness=( Im so sorry guys! Im continuing to pray for the little princess. I really hope she will beat the odds. Stay strong guys!
May God Bless you and let you feel His arms wrapped around you during these next days. May God bring comfort to sweet Layla.
As long as it takes, I’m here….. til Layla Grace is whole…. in your arms or by God’s side. She has touched me so deeply, her story, her life, her smile. God bless you all.
I just started following your blog. I lost my dad to cancer 5 short weeks after giving birth to my first child. I can’t imagine what it’s like to watch your child die. I still have a hard time remembering my dad’s last days. I can tell you that as much as it hurt to have to let go, there was a huge sense of peace knowing that he was well and whole again. He was no longer held captive by his disease ridden body, but sitting by Jesus’ side healthy and happy. I look forward to the day when we will be reunited with our loved ones that have gone before us. The promise we have as Christians doesn’t take away all the pain of loosing a loved one, but it softens it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am humbled by your faith. I am in awe of your strength. I know such faith and strength can only come from our Almighty Father. This morning as we sang with our sunday school kids, “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” I sang a verse – He’s got Layla Grace in His hands. Tonight I pray that sweet Layla can rest peacefully in His strong, gentle and loving hands. I also pray for continued strength for you and your family. My perspective on life has been changed because of Layla and the way that your family has handled what has been set before you.
i’m so mad and sorry. I am so MAD and SORRY. I don’t understand any of it, i don’t and can’t see the point to any of this. Hasn’t she gone through enough. Ashem please, enough, ENOUGH
After reading the heart-breaking recount of all Layla, you and your wife have been thru, I could never in my dreams imagine what kind of pain and angish you have endured. Unfortunately, in our finite minds we cannot always see the bigger picture or understand why this could happen to lovers/followers of Christ, but God has special plans for your darling angel that only she can fulfil; ie bringing you and your wife closer, people closer to their families, others closer to God, and she is doing the will of God in the midst of her weakest of days. If you listen to Christian music or even if you don’t, look up the song called “Held” by Natalie Grant; a very moving song that I believe will touch you and yours.
All I can say is that nothing happens by mistake in our good Lord’s world, that He works all things for good, and that whatever the outcome of precious Layla’s battle, if she was the only person on the face of this Earth, Jesus would still have come to die for her sins. She is loved by our Lord and Savior more than we can comprehend, and you have truly been blessed to have her, even for her short little life so far.
I extremely admire you and your wife for keeping this blog journel on precious Layla’s life and struggles. I personally, would be so much of a mess that I would be living in a bottle, high as a kite on drugs to escape the reality, or even possiblly dead from taking my own life, only to cheat myself and her of whatever moments left God has allowed/blessed me to spend together with my child; but you have chosen another outlet that has touched SO many lives, more than you probably will EVER know!!!!!
Precious Layla, you, and your wife (including family and friends) have my deepest admiration, sympathies, and prayers, prayers that our Loving, merciful Lord God and Savior keeps you and all of yours closely to Him, comforting you by the second, strengthening you, and God-willing, healing His and your precious little baby Layla.
God Bless and Protect You and Your Entire Family Always,
Cecelia (CC)
My sons and I pray for Layla and your entire family. It’s hard to begin to put into words how we feel reading about your journey with beautiful Layla Grace. Her struggles are heart wrenching. Her strength is amazing. As a mother, knowing what you’re going through brings me to tears. I wish I could do something to help. I pray for peace, I pray to understand. You are an amazing family and we are touched deeply by you.
My heart is weeping for you. No, Layla should not have to suffer for a moment. I’m so sorry that you have to witness all of that. You are the witnesses to Layla’s life. You bear witness so that we may all remember her. And remember that life is so precious.
My thoughts have been with you since I first learned about Layla. Peace be with you.
For you Sweet Layla Grace: “God, please bring this baby peace and comfort. Fill her soul with your spirit to bring her home. She’s a precious angel without a doubt and brings inspiration to me and many every single day.” With love to you and your family sweet baby girl ♥
Praying for peace and comfort for your family. I keep you in my prayers and thoughts all through out the day.
Sweet Layla, you have touched me so deeply! My faith has been strengthened and my relationship with my own sweet angel, Jadyn, has been strengthened. God has done so much through you and you WILL hear “Well done, good and faithful servant!” when you are reunited with your Heavenly Father. When I look at your pictures, all I see are your beautiful eyes, radiating God’s love, His strength and a joy for life. You have taught me so much sweet baby and you will remain in my heart forever! I love you sweet angel!
Shanna and Ryan, although we’ve never met, you have taught me so much about faith, strength and peace. Thank you for sharing Layla with us and for the honor to go to the Throne of Grace for you and your family. I am forever changed and eternally grateful! Our prayers continue for peace and comfort for Layla, for God’s healing hand on her and for strength and comfort for you both and for Jenna and Claire. God’s blessings and peace to you all!
Many many many prayers prayers for Layla Grace and your family from NJ, PA , NY and everywhere else that people are reading my facebook updates!!! My heart goes out to all of you!
My hearth is breaking for you. No one should have to go through what you are going through. I prayed for Layla and the rest of your family in church today. We are supposed to outlive our children. Rest assure, there is a special place in heaven for Layla.
I cry out to Jesus daily for your sweet Layla. I think that you all must know what Mary felt like watching her son, Jesus die on the cross. All the emotions she must have gone through and the questions she had as she stood by helplessly. I wonder what Mary felt when she found out that Jesus had risen and conquered death- I pray for peace for Layla, for the Holy Spirit to be so near to you all, and that you would have peace in knowing Layla will have everlasting life with Christ.
As a new “first-time mom” my heart bleeds for you and your family. My family prays for the pain to end….We love you all!
I am constantly praying for the peace you all need.
You have brought a miracle into my life that I cannot describe in mere words…I have been made a better person having been touched by the story of Layla’s and your family’s journey. I pray for her comfort. I pray for your continued strength – you have so much more than you know. I know you will take solace in the fact that, when you see her again in heaven, she will be healed and for her a day will have not passed between your sweet and loving words and hands in her final hours. She will one day again open her arms again to hold you and embrace you and thank you for your courage and your love when she needed it most. Hold onto that during these long, sad hours. Like the other thousands of people who don’t know you personally, I feel a connection of love so strong to you all it’s indescribable and you have the support of my constant prayers. May God Bless You and Keep You.
I’m not a religions person, i’ve never been a prayer, but for the past few days i’ve been saying a prayer for Layla and your family. It shouldn’t be like this, it isn’t fair. I know you guys are holding up the best that you can and that is all that can be expected of you, just to survive these days.
I’m sending all of my love toward you.
My 2 year old daughter, Ava, asks me, “Is baby Layla Grace sick?” And I say yes. Then she says, “Why is baby Layla Grace sick?” And I don’t know what to tell her except….I don’t know.
I’ve cried and cried and cannot understand how a parent can begin to deal with such horribleness. I think of her, and of your family, constantly. I will be praying for peace and no pain. Baby Layla should have peace….
We love Layla. And will never forget her.
Sweet Layla, you are such a precious angel and I pray for you all day. You have touched so many people and shown us all what strength is. My prayer for you all is peace, courage and comfort! I keep your blog up all day and continuously check for updates and hope and pray for good news! I am thankful for all news and updates that your wonderful parents have shared! We all feel like we know you and love you as if you are our own! You have touched thousands of people and continue to reach even more! We love you Layla Grace and pray for you!
Praying for you in Katy, Texas
Writing has a way of healing our souls. Allowing us to confront what’s deep within us and force it into words that help us to continue on. I happened to see a post about Layla Grace 2 days ago…i have been following tweets about her since then. I have posted numerous comments and invites to her page to my fellow facebook friends. She has changed my life in some way. She has affected me. She has inspired me. I’m a 22 year old newlywed who sits here in a small town in Louisiana and looks at your beautiful baby girls face in the many pictures. And I cry with you. And I plead with God on behalf of her. And I ache with pain as if I knew her. I feel like I do. I am going through something that is also very unimageinable in my life right now, not anything with health though. But it’s been an unfair fight for me and it’s been utter hell for me to walk through. And I’ve gotten weak at times, and I’ve felt like God has forgotten me in this war in some moments. But God is always faithful to show himself to us. He’s always there never leaving to constantly remind of His love. And stumbling upon beautiful Layla Grace…I saw the face of a warrior. I saw utter beauty in her though she stands in the midst of these deadly ashes. She has encouraged me to press on. To keep knocking, to keep believing….to keep fighting until my day of victory. Her day of victory is nearing. As I sat last night in the late hours crying over her, I knew without doubt that God was holding her in these hours. I can close my eyes and see it. This beautiful baby in the natural fighting death, but in the spirit completely protected laying in her daddy’s lap. The picture of Layla with her father brought tears to me…for these are the moments her earthly father is carrying her home. And though that brekas my own heart and I’ve never met her, I know there’s no way to know how it is for her family, for you. But this is the comfort in it all….God’s love is not selfish. Ours is. Our love wants to keep her here so we can have her in our lives, so we can be apart of hers…but God’s love is to bring her home into complete healing, where there is no pain or tear. I know thousands upon thousands have probably written to you….but like I said, writing is an avenue to bring about healing within our souls. So I guess I wrote all of this to you to help bring forth my own healing. I have no doubt that God is holding Layla Grace in His arms right now…last night I layed on my floor and asked God if He would hold me in His arms too. His love is extreme. His love is perfect. His love is everlasting. His love is never failing. His love brings Layla home.
You all have put an inprint on my heart that will forever be there with Layla’s name on it. We are hundred of miles apart but i feel like we are family( as weird as that is). i pray for all of you and i am forever touch by the strength of your familyl! I will always remember Layla Grace, the angel who touched my life.
Thinking of all of you in Winnipeg, Canada. Our thoughts are with you, your family and especially for Layla. Praying for peace and comfort for your family and little Layla.
My prays are with u
I cry for Layla and your family! I can’t imagine watching your precious child die. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that you all find peace, especially, Layla and that she goes very quietly and quickly. Watching loved ones with cancer suffer through their last minutes of life is the worst!!!
I wanted to share a poem with you that gave me strength after my fiance passed from a rare form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma called Burkitt’s. God called him home in 9 months.
I know how hard it is to watch a little piece of your heart die right before your eyes. My prayers are with you, Shanna, Layla Grace, the girls, and all your loved ones. May God give you strength each day and grant Layla Grace peace and comfort to the end. Love and prayers. God Bless You.
What Cancer Cannot Do
It cannot cripple LOVE
It cannot shatter HOPE
It cannot corrode FAITH
It cannot destroy PEACE
It cannot kill FRIENDSHIP
It cannot suppress MEMORIES
It cannot silence COURAGE
It cannot invade the SOUL
It cannot steal eternal LIFE
It cannot conquer the SPIRIT
My heart is broken and weeps all the time. I lost my newborn in July 2009 and held her as she passed…a bit of a different process than you describe but so very tragic none the less. I’m grateful and so very sad all at the same time. I probably don’t need to explain such a juxtaposition. Oh the sacrifices to have angels for children…God’s peace be with your whole family!!!!
Your little one has touched so many people and showed that there are so many good, caring hearts out there. May you know peace, love and keep your faith through this jorney.
Praying for you all every second of the day and night. Not just for Layla, but for your entire family. Your message has traveled so far, and I think that everyone that knows your story wishes we could take all the pain from you. But, instead, all we can do is lift you all up in prayer. May God bless and keep you. May He make his face to shine upon you and give you peace. Both now, and in the life everlasting.
You Houston Neighbor (well, we live in the Galleria area, but close enough)
I really don’t know what to say, i’ve got nothing right now other than the tears streaming down my face.
I promise we will continue to pray for Layla and love her right alongside you all.
Theresa.
My heart breaks for you. Praying for peace and comfort for sweet Layla and your family! God is with you.
My thoughts and prayers are sent to your beautiful family. Layla Grace is one strong, brave little girl. God works miracles, and I’m holding out hope that God will work a miracle on sweet Layla Grace.
Your post was so raw and honest and I know we all wish we could be there to offer you our shoulder to cry on right now. I think of sweet baby Layla every day all day, and I just pray for her fragile body. I laid down with one of my own little ones tonight while she fell asleep just to watch her. Layla has not only brought me closer to God, but made me appreciate how blessed I am right now with my family. I am praying for you all, and as I hear the forcast for rain, I wonder if the Saints will be crying their tears soon and relieve her suffering body.
This is Katelyn’s mom. Katelyn was diagnosised a week after Layla. I found your website through a friend on facebook. I am so sorry to hear about Layla. Katelyn’s last MIBG showed new spots and we are now preparing for what to do. We will be praying even harder and pray for a miracle.
My e-mail is chelle_78@hotmail.com
Our website is http://www.ourturkey.blogspot.com
Praying for peace for both Layla and you.
I only read of Layla’s story a few days ago. I think of Layla many times a day. I think of your family and your stregnth many times a day. I pray for peace for Layla and for your family. I haven’t been able to stop crying since I read your story. Please hug Layla for me. Please know that the Randall family in California is praying for peace for you.
With Much Love,
Erica Randalll and Family
Layla will be a great neuroblastoma oncologist. She will be guiding these doctors on their journey toward finding a cure. She and other little ones who have lost their lives with this horrible disease will band together in heaven & be the guidance these doctors on earth need to keep trying to end childhood cancers. Thank you Layla Grace and Marsh Family for sharing your lives with us.
Namaste Layla Grace, Namaste
Hugs from Illinois
I am praying for sweet Layla Grace and for your family. Your story has touched my heart deeply. I pray that God will bring you peace in the midst of such awful circumstances. God bless you and sweet Layla!
I’m so sorry about the new spots. We’ve been wondering how Katleyn was doing. We will continue to pray for her. Thanks for the update.
I’ve been praying for a miracle for your family all weekend!
I am so incredibly sorry that this is happening and especially that it is happening without Layla being comfortable. Please please let us know if there’s anything we can do.
I prayed for all of you in church today (in Shreveport, LA). May you and your wife be comforted through this time, and may God take Layla home peacefully, so she can be pain free for eternity. And may you know that you will see her again, with a smile on her face. I watched my mother-in-law die slowly from cancer, and I can’t imagine watching my child. May the peace of the Lord be with you and ALL of your girls. What God brings us to, He brings us through.
God bless your family and sweet Layla. I pray for strength, peace and comfort for all of you. God please surround Layla with your loving arms and comfort her pain.
God bless you all
Our hearts and thoughts are with all of you. I pray that she will remain comfortable and out of pain. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything!
I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to all of you and. of course, to precious Layla Grace.
I found your blog through a friend of mine, but I’ve come back to it every few hours to check in on Layla and the rest of you.
May the Lord be with you all in the minutes, hours and days ahead.
God Bless You.
Sharon
I squeeze my kids a little tighter each night because of your adorable girl. Thank you for that. Hoping for peaceful days ahead for you and your family. Layla you have really made a difference….to people you don’t even know!
my heart goes out to you and your family! i pray for you daily, hoping for Gods hands to placed around precious Layla and taking her home where she will be in her new pain free body..i pray for you and you wife, and your two other very special daughters..hoping that in this sad and confusing time they too as well as you can find comfort. in all this heartbreaking sadness, i pray that her battle will soon be over. my love for you lots and lots of it..and the warmest hugs for your family!
I am shaken to the core and don’t understand why God would make one of His precious angels suffer so. I would like to think that Layla Graces soul is already with our Lord and just her body is left upon this earth to finish this out as Layla Grace did great things in this past week. One little precious girl brought thousands upon thousands of strangers to come together, to pray together, total strangers helping total strangers. Layla Grace has done amazing things and I would like to think she is sitting with the Lord watching in awe of what she accomplished. I would like to think that because I know our God is an awesome God and a most merciful one. God be with you all! My heart goes out to you in this journey and I so am wishing you peace and comfort. My prayers will continue for you all!
Praying that you and Layla will be surrounded by God’s peace and comfort and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. He is with you.
Praying for your precious family. Thank you for sharing your journey and allowing us to be a part.
Our family prays every single day and night that Layla’s body be rid of this horrific disease. Although it may not be in the form that we hoped, no child should have to endure this amount of suffering. Layla and your beautiful words on this blog have moved me in more ways than words can describe. My heart breaks with each new blog and twitter update. I have grown to LOVE Layla and your family and am truly, truly sorry for what she has endured, and for the pain you, as parents must feel. May God bless you, Layla, and her beautiful big sisters. You have many many people praying for Layla Grace and your family. Love, The Tabora’s
we are certainly praying for you guys. know that the Father is holding you in his arms… all of you. Been checking the blog for updates, pics, tweets, anything to know how to pray. I don’t even know you guys but somehow, the spirit interceedes on your behalf and I just pray.
I pray and pray for you two and your girls. I have a girl just her age and am amazed at your strength and am so sorry you have to utilize it. You have renewed my spirit with your life story and have made me truly value my children, thank you for sharing and I promise to pray every moment I can.
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m currently a first year medical student and I began with a strong interest to pursue pediatric oncology. My first year is almost over and I have been buried in books for so long I at times forget why I am truly here. Thank you for becoming so public with your journey with Layla and thank you for reminding my mind and heart of the passion that brought me to this place. Reading your blog just tears at my heart and I know she has inspired many, including myself. I’ve been praying and will continue to pray for Layla and your entire family. <3
I never thought I could hold my little boys tighter until I read this.
I am so very sorry.
I have not been on my knees in a LONG time. I have been this evening and will continue. In my quiet place he is there. I will fall to my knees before the Father until my prayers are answered. I expect relief and peace for Layla Grace. I expect peace and comfort for her parents and I know he will answer my cry.
My heart is in this with you, though I can’t begin to imagine the depth of your aching. My son is 2. That is as close as I can get to where you are. Layla Grace has forever changed his life by touching my heart.
I will not stop praying!
I pray that God will send his Angels down and wrap their arms around sweet little Layla Grace so tight so that she feels comfort and peace. My heart aches for your family, and I do celebrate your faith as I feel this is the only way to get through such a painful time. God Bless Your Sweet Family and I wish you peace and comfort.
i want to let you guys know that little Layla is now part of my prayers and that she’s made a HUGE impact in my life….a whole lot of humans(me included) at some point complain at some of the things God has planned for us, that’s why Layla’s story is so touching to me…i feel sick when i see a kid suffering, i cannot comprehend little kids have to suffer but i know is inevitable… i’ve been battling depression and sometimes feel like im in a hole and just want to end it but then i see that my family is the most precious treasure God gave me, and i thank the lord for all the blessings i have, those blessings sometimes we take for granted….i just want to let you guys know that Layla will always be in my memory as a very brave little angel and i will always take her story for strenght and love..i pray to God he relieves her pain
God bless your family forever
It is hard to imagine that it is His Will when you are faced with the hardness of the actual body dying; It really does curve the head and back, and make you cry out, as you have: Not like this. It sounds like the time has come for peace, all around. The ransom has long been paid and no love has gone unshared, or unfelt. We are all holding your hands. Thank you for your witness, faithful even in fear, anger, and fatigue. Thank you for Layla.
Thanking God that you have Him to lean on in this. I can’t imagine how you’d go through this without His strength. Your courage is contagious. Words are not enough to express the sorrow you must be feeling. I will be praying for you all.
I sit here another day and read the tweets and blogs for Layla and my heart breaks. I will continue to share the story of Layla Grace, to everyone I know and spread the message about this small Angel…Once more you will all continue to be in our prayers and may God continue to be your guidance!! We love you all, as if you were our family and we wish we could do more…
Praying for you and your family everyday. Little Layla is on my mind constantly.
Praying for Little Miss Layla Grace and the family in this diffucult time.I just found out about Layla Grace last week and have been checking her pages everyday praying and hoping for good new. She is such a beautiful little angel,her story has touched me in so many ways as well as other childrens that I have read about, I literally cried my eyes out.So i couldnt even being to imaging what yall are going threw,but yall have kept yalls faith strong and are a very strong family in general which I can tell by all the blogs and it is a wonderful thing. God Bless Precious Layla Grace and the family as well!
to Layla’s Mom and Dad,
Just wanted to let you know that your story has touched my heart, I was sitting here on my couch, checking to see how little Layla and you are doing. I have been praying since I started following your journey on twitter and your blog. My son who is 9, saw me crying and said ” Mommy don’t cry, God just thinks it is time for Layla Grace to come home to him, and that’s hard for us but a wonderful thing for her.” I am so sorry that she is suffering, i prayer that God’s peace is with her and you. Children are so wise. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing Layla’s battle with the world. She and you are an inspiration. I was talking about you to a friend and said that when you have to deal with this kind of thing you can do two things, be angry and reject God or be angry and accept his will, and that is where we eventually find our peace.
Thanks for the true example of a strong faith. Your daughter is beautiful and strong and helped me to begin to find the strength to deal with a blow that i’ve recently been dealt, my Mom is being biopsied for Lung cancer. Your strength is my strength. Layla’s courage is my courage. In such hard time for you , thanks for being the example of a living and a loving God. May he always be with you.
When You Feel Sad
by James E. Miller
Your sadness is real, yet it need not be final.
You have known deep joy before;
you can yet again.
And while your despair brings you pain,
it can also bring you wisdom and strength.
From it you will learn secrets about yourself,
and truths about others.
Through it you will experience the blessings of healing,
and the mysteries of life.
So listen to your despair
and allow it to lead you to greater fullness.
And always remember: you are not alone.
You are loved, whatever happens.
You have significance, whatever befalls.
For you are an unrepeatable act in God’s grand creation.
You are irreplaceable.
At this moment, your journey in life
is requiring of you great courage, often unseen by others.
Be strong in your persistence.
Be supple in your patience.
And know: despite your brokenness,
and somehow even because of it,
wholeness awaits you.
Despite what you have lost,
and somehow even because of it,
you stand to gain.
You hold the possibility of experiencing life
with a maturity, and a compassion, and an appreciation
you have never known before.
So be open.
Know that the life which flows through you
has been given you as a sacred gift.
Cherish that gift.
Nurture it.
Above all else, hallow the preciousness
of each passing moment that is yours,
for this is where the miracle of life resides,
and this is where you must go to find it.
Finally, remember that your destiny was predicted
by the writer of the Book of Job:
“You will forget your misery,
you will remember it as waters that have passed away.
And your life will be brighter than the noonday;
its darkness will be like the morning.
And you will have confidence,
because there is hope.”
Your family has touched my heart so deeply, I pray for your family and Layla Grace that God may touch you all. Take comfort in knowing that he does have a plan for her and for all of you. We may not understand that plan but just lift her up to him and trust in him that he knows what he is doing. I will continue to pray, may God bless you.
We are praying for you all and that precious little girl. GOD is in the business of miracles and even if he doesn’t deliver you from this, Praise HIS name.
GOD bless your precious family. You are truly inspiring!
I pray our Lord takes Layla into his loving arms, peacefully, within the next 24 hours. From yours and Shanna’s loving arms and care into eternity where she will be made whole and run, laugh, and play with your wonderful family members poised at the gates of heaven, waiting…..waiting for that precious smile.
I am literally weeping for your family. Never been so touched by the lives of complete strangers. I am not usually a religious person but I am joining in the prayers for Layla’s final peace so can she once again be the healthy beautiful little girl I hope you can still see in your dreams.
Dear Lord,
We come in agreement right now. I ask that your hand be placed on this baby. I ask that your healing would flow through her even now as i type. Pray that your blood would cover this baby. I pray that you would hold her in your arms and comfort this baby like no earthly parent can. Lord i pray that your peace would engulf her parents. Lord i pray that your love would overflow in their hearts. I bind every evil thought I bind every hinderance that might interfere with what you are doing. Lord your ways are so much higher than our ways and your thoughts are so much more than ours. I ask for your comfort. I ask for your wisdom. I pray that every bit of emotional pain be ceased. I bind every attack. Where God is the devil can not be. I pray that your mercy would be with this family. I plead your blood over this baby. I ask that your love and your peace would surround this family. I ask that if never before that they can feel your presence and in a way that they could only dream of. I ask that you be with this family in every step and breath. I ask that you give them the words to say when they pray. I ask that you give them your heart. I ask that you take this mom and hold her i ask that you take this dad and hold him. I ask that you heal this whole family. Lord I ask that you take charge in the spiritual. We give you the glory. We praise your name. We thank you for every blessing and every blessing to come. We know that you take care of us and you know what you are doing so therefor we put it in your hands. Amen.
Keeping you guys in my thoughts and prayers!!!
My heart is with you during this difficult time. I know your pain and what you’re going through. I found out that my mother had 2 months to live out of the blue. No one knew, not even my mother that she was walking around with stage 4 stomach cancer. I was in shock and did not know what to do. I wanted to do anything possible to save my mother but it was too late. There was nothing I could do. She did not want chemotherapy and did not want to go to the hospital either. Every other week I had to call the ambulance for her to get a blood transfusion because she was loosing blood. One time she colapsed in the elevator and I started screaming for someone to help me. I had never had this kind of experience before. My aunt died of breast cancer, but she lived in another country so I did not see her go through the experience.
When the hospice nurse came to visit us she told me that my mother’s organs were going to rupture inside and she would die. I was not able to sleep after that. I was exhausted from working, taking care of my mother and holding back all I was feeling because I did not want to breakdown in her presence. I could never tell my mother that she was dying. I always told her that she would get better. I did not have the strength back then.
The week after, I took my mother to a well known hospital in NYC and the surgeon who examined her told me he could remove the tumors in her liver and stomach to prolong her life a few more years. Part of me did not believe what he was saying, but I did not see any other way out. I didn’t want for my mother to suffer. My mother never left hospital after the surgery. The cancer had overtaken almost her entire liver. When they told me that she went into liver failure, I knew it was over. I cried and screamed by my mother’s bed. I did not know that she could hear me, but she could. I saw a tear come out of her left eye. It was her way of saying goodbye. She died on December 23, 2001. I left the hospital, got in my car and after a few blocks parked it and started to hit the steering wheel and screaming at the top of my lungs. Suddenly I felt my mother’s presence and I calmed down and drove home. I was not able to sleep so my sister asked me to sleep over her house. That night I managed to get some sleep and in my sleep I heard my mother’s voice clearly say to me, “Mayra I’m ok.” I know that she is not dead and that her soul lives on. I now understand that death is a new beginning and not the end. She had to go through a transformation in order to move to a new chapter in her existence. It’s been 9 years and I’m still healing. The feeling of loss never goes away, but I’m ok now.
Of all the things that can happen to us, loosing a loved one is the most difficult experiences we can endure especially when we have to witness our loved one suffering without being able to help. It sounds like Layla is very sick now and the only way you can help her is by releasing her and letting her know that it is ok for her to go back home when she’s ready. She needs to feel that you are going to be ok. She’s in God’s hands now. Please forgive me for having to say this to you, but is what my heart although braking is telling me to tell you.
My heart aches for all of you – Ryan, Shanna, Layla Grace and her sisters.
How I wish I could take all of Layla’s pain away from her – her suffering – and bring her peace… I can’t but God can and will!
My dear sweet Layla Grace – you have changed my life. You had made me feel when I felt I couldn’t feel anymore. Where a part of me felt like it had died – your struggle – your strength has brought me back.
You are in my thoughts every moment of the day as I still hold out for a miracle. These seem to be just hurdles you are going through sweetie and I know that whatever God has in store for you – you have run an amazing race. I pray that God heals your body! I pray He bring you peace and comfort. I love you sweet Layla Grace – you have changed me! God used you in my life and I will stand firmly in the gap praying for your complete recovery!
Ryan, Shanna, and the girls – I pray for peace for you and that God will continue comforting you during this time. Hold on to her…for her strength comes from the Love she has from you!!
God Bless You all!
I found out about layla grace from my daughter this afternoon. My daughter Randee Hallmark called me in such grief and dispair she could not speak..Her heart hurt so for this child and her parents she could not speak.. May you know she has a 2 year old so it hit to close to home for her and she could litterly feel such pain she could not speak. She has followed you on twitter and has all of us praying for a child we dont even know but she has touched so many lives…I pray God will heal this child completely and wholly and that you will find comfort in his grace and love.
@My heart goes out tou your family. My older brother was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 21, he is now a survivor. I know that Layly will be your angel watching over you and may God bless your family, I will certaintly keep you in my prayers.
Im sooo terribly sorry for the pain Layla is having to endure, and the emense pain you are going through watching her with this battle. I too will be on my knees praying for peace for her little body and peace for your hearts.. I just want to reach through this screen and squeeze your family tight witlh the love from all of my heart. Thank you again, for sharing this with all of us.. I cant even begin to imagine how hard it is for you… in my prayers always…
From Canada, please know we are praying for all of you.
My heart aches so much for your family. I’ve lost an infant son, sudden though. My mom fought cancer for 8 years. I know what cancer does to a body and a soul – as well as those who love the person. I’ve come to the realization that the pain and suffering my mom endured was not for her – but for me and my siblings- those who loved her most. Because admittedly, I would not have been ready to let her go if she had not suffered. Once I saw that, I cried and begged God and my family and myself to forgive me because I asked Him to take her, regardless of how hard it was for me. Maybe it is possible that God knew that you would never have been able to let go of this precious and beautiful child unless you couldn’t endure her pain any longer. I know I would have continued to beg for one more day, until I saw how unbearable one more day was for my mom.
Please know that I’m choking back the tears and swallowing the huge knot in my throat – for Layla, and for you. Losing a child is the hardest thing you will ever do in your lifetime. God bless you, and may He be holding Layla and your family in his arms, tightly and always.
As I sit hear typing through the tears, I want you and Layla Grace to know that you have forever changed me and have touched my heart. I am so sorry for what little sweet Layla Grace and your family have gone through and endured. The courage and the will to convey such emotion overwhelms me and breaks my heart as you tell us what is going on with Layla Grace. She is definitely one of God’s special angels and has touched so many lives and hearts and has made such a world of a difference! I have a 2 year old too and can’t bear to imagine everything you are going through, all I can say is that The Marsh family are extraordinary and amazing people! I will keep you all in my prayers, thoughts, and in my heart. May God bless you all!
Keeping you and your beautiful family in my prayers. Praying for peace for your Layla.
I have been following little Layla’s story since shortly after valentines day. I have been on here started to comment several times, but I was scared to say the wrong thing. We pray for you and your sweet wife, and little Layla everynight, and I keep u close to my heart through out the day. Layla has changed me. I try to be a better mother, wife, daughter, and friend. There are no words for what you are going through, just know we are all out here praying with you! From Oklahoma…
Thank you for sharing your post Not Like This. I am so mad at God right now!
I have been praying for Layla ever since I came across your blog, and I continue to pray hard for a miracle. She has such an amazing spirit and has touched me in ways that nobody else ever will. I have learned so much from her about life, and for that I will be eternally grateful. I have shed many tears for her and am now bawling my eyes out thinking of her having to suffer even more. I wish that I could just take all of her pain away for her. Please hug and kiss her for me. I will always hold her in my heart.
May God bless you and your family, especially Layla and her sisters, and of course you. Many prayers in Connecticut!
No you are wrong you and your family ARE very strong. God has chosen YOU to care for this precious Angel. I have a child with speical needs and at first thought why me but now I know I am chosen from God to be her mother. Layla has taught me soo much about life,family,myself,love from others and the power of prayer.
God Bless
Marisa
Okinawa Japan
I am continually praying for your family and your sweet baby girl. Your faith and honesty is so moving.
Know that everyday I have been praying for you and your family especially little Layla to receive a miracle.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
My prayers are with you. I laid in bed this morning and wept while praying for Layla. Peace and comfort. Layla has definitely changed my life.
There are no words. I cannot comprehend what you all can possibly be going through. I pray for sweet baby Layla Grace’s suffering to be over. It isn’t right or fair for her to have to endure any more pain then she already has. Hug her, her sisters and each other tight. You all will need each other. I don’t know you but have been following Layla’s journey for a week now. I have grown to love her and you all in such a short time. Her work on earth has beyond surpassed what was to be expected. Because of Layla, I hold my children tighter every day and make even more time to spend with them. My son Ross is Layla’s age. He turned two in November and my daughter Grace, is nine. I hope I never have to have the strength that you all do but if I do, thank you for giving me a great role model. I pray with such intensity that she no longer has to suffer. God Bless you all. You all are truly loved by so many that don’t even know you.
Love and Prayers from Oklahoma,
Whitney
Praying in Birmingham,al. Our daughter is in heaven right now. Layla will have a friend waiting on her. ((hugs))
Theres victory in Jesus. I don’t know why He chooses who and when He does. But it is soo possible for this little girl to be healed. If it doesn’t happen the beautiful thing about it is your little girl will be in the arms of the Most Heavenly. The arms of the Most High. Running in his fields of flowers. I know that i do not know you or anything about you and i can feel his love. I don’t ever cry and i am setting here crying my eyes out not because of fear or sympathy but because of his love. He loves all of you so much and His way is so much higher. You have to trust Him. He is with your little girl. He is with you and i hope you know this. I hope you feel Him. Sometimes our earthly hurts cloud our eyes. Sometimes our pain is too much. That is when Jesus sticks out His hand and says he already paid. He went through the pain. He went through the torcher. And when it seems that our cross is unbearable we think of His cross. and we are comforted in knowing that Jesus is all we need. He is our ending result. His love is our rest. His peace is our serenity. Take comfort in your God tonight. Take comfort in His peace. The hardest thing for a parent is to give their children to God. Parents go before church all the time and dedicate their children to God not knowing the price. Not knowing what God has in store for them. Some parents don’t give their children to God at all. I’ve learned in the long run it is soo much easier to go with God then to go againts Him. As much as it hurts you have to give God control. If He doesn’t have control of her death how can He have control of her life? they’re one in the same. God has wounderful plans for this child. He has an overwhelming abundance of love for this child. But it is His way. God loves you so much and i will keep your whole family in my prayers.
I just wanted you to know that I am praying that god gives you and your family the strength through all this. I first heard of your family today and yall have been on my mind all day!!!! I have a 9 month old girl and just held her tight today and thanking god that he is letting me borrow her hopefully forever. I take things for granted but through your story your little Layla and your family have changed my life forever!!! Would you please sing Jesus loves me for me tonight I know that may be a strange request but it always calms my little one and me also. Please stay as strong! Sending Love yalls way from Forney Texas!
I have been reading my Bible for the past hour and found the scripture I want to share with you. Matthew 18:1-5 reads, At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
Jesus loves your family and his little child, Layla Grace.
So many people, including our family, our being touched by your faith and strength.
My soul weeps for you, my heart is crying. I am crying out to the Lord for you and for your Precious Layla. For comfort and peace in these days, for miracles, for love and for hope. May our God continue to carry you through this time
Oh Prayers are with you and Layla, just as yours would be with me and Jencyn. May God Bless You.
I am praying for Layla and your family to find peace and rest. I thank you so much for sharing your journey with a huge number of strangers. I thank you for reminding me to enjoy and cherish every single moment with my 3 children. I am. You have affected my life profoundly.
I have been following you and praying for little Layla for months now, and she surely has touched my life. She is loved by so many people. I am praying for your family, I cannot imagine the pain that you are feeling.
My brother lost his battle with neuroblastoma 11 years ago just 2 weeks before he would have turned 7. It was incredibly difficult to watch as his sister, and as I get older, I become more and more aware of how intensely painful it was for my parents. My heart breaks for you, your wife, and your daughters as you help your precious Layla through her final days battling this hideous disease.
I pray that Layla will be able to pass in peace, free of pain. As devastating as it is to lose her, I have faith that she will enjoy a beautiful life in Heaven, keeping watch over and protecting your family always. Maybe she’ll find a playmate in my brother, Kevin.
God bless you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
thank you for sharing Layla with the world. God has a special plan for her. I am heart broken for you and your family and praying…and praying…and praying.
Jenn
No family should ever have to endure what you are going through. I am so sorry that Layla has to struggle like this. Continued thoughts and prayers … thinking of Layla very often.
Hugs,
Melinda
I just discovered your family through another blog about a week ago. I think about your family so much and have prayed for you often. You are all so an my heart. I am praying for little Layla Grace. I pray that she sleeps peacefully and without any pain. And for you, her parents, I am praying the same thing. And that God will give you an extra measure of strength.
God Bless,
Joyce
My heart and prayers are with you both and Layla. Thank you for sharing her story to raise awareness about neuroblastoma – I knew a child with it growing up as a kid. Layla’s story reminds all of us to relish every moment with our children – life is fleeting and can change in an instant. Thinking of Layla and that her pain lessens and praying to give you both strength every day. And thousands of others are all praying for you too. xoxo Collen
Offering prayers your way…My prayer would be a miracle and perfect healing but peace is all i can think of now. Bless your little girl and your family.
I sit here, with tears rolling down my face and pray that god takes layla home to be with him, peacefully, so she has no more suffering. Like you said, not like this.
peace, comfort, love, prayers
To Layla’s family, I hate this so much…It breaks my heart….She is such a beautiful perfect child….I just want her to live and be okay and be with her family like it’s soppost to be…..We see our children into the world and they see us out…It’s not soppost to be like this….I wish God would just hurry up and take her cancer away and let her be okay and not in pain and with her beautiful family…..I am so sorry….I am a mother of 4 children and 3 are school age and my youngest dayghter is almost 20 months…almost the same age as Layla and so I can totally relate as a parent how hard it is to have to go through something like this….I will just keep praying for a miracle…..Little Layla has stolen everyones heart!!!! We love you Layla….Please be strong for your Daddy and Mommy!!!!
It has only been a few days that i started reading about Layla’s story and it has already changed the way i look at life. Everytime i sit here and read an update i cannot help but cry. I never thought it would hurt so bad just reading all the updates because i dont really know you. But now i dont see Layla ever leaving my heart. I hope and pray that god will give you strength and peace, but mostly i continue to pray for a miracle.
Your blog entry is beautifully written. I felt so much of your feelings with your words! To look back over this blog will show you again how much strength you have and how much strength little Layla has. May the miracle you desperately need come to Layla.
To layla and Family,
Your blog has reached me here in Ireland and I am in tears reading about your amazing daughter .May the light of the angels bring her comfort and peace and I hope god will answer our prayers for your family.There is a place in irish stories called Tir Na Nog (land of youth ) where sickness and death do not exist.Happiness last forever and I wish layla and the angels will travel to somewhere as magial and happy.Please know I am praying for all of you.Stay strong ……
Cathy ,Colm and kids
Peace and comfort to your whole entire family. We are thinking of you every minute and thanks for sharing Layla with us!
Praying, praying, praying.
This gave me chills as I read it, I have been going through medical probems , but not like Layla , she is a strong, amazing girl that makes me relize how lucky I am! She is gorgouse and after I found out about her she has made me think twice,in a good way! My sister is 8 years old & I cherish every little thing we do together! I pray for Layla and wish your family the best of luck! I was wondering if y’all had shirts for her?! If so please let me know, even though I have never met y’all in person , I know y’all are an amazing family!
may god lead her safely home!
I’ve been following the journey of Layla and pray that she can find peace soon. You are the bravest family I know….My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
This is EXACTLY how I feel right now about my Grandmother. While she is 77 years old and has lived what most would consider a long life, it is still insanely painful. We’re going through the exact same motions here in Virginia and I feel your pain so deeply because I have a sick child home in Georgia as well that no one can diagnose correctly thus far.
Loss is so hard and cancer is so evil that it almost seems as though it’s a cruel joke. My heart breaks for you and for your family. I know the pain of having a sick child and I only pray that no one else ever has to go through what you’re going through right now. I pray that we find a cure for these babies and I pray that Layla finds peace in heaven. I know that if they make it there at the same time then my Grandmother will look out for her for you because she’s the most amazing woman in the world.
I will pray for a miracle to cure Layla but if it isn’t God’s will then may you sleep soundly with the angels beautiful baby girl.
A week ago I feel in love with your Layla. I cry for her every day. And hope peace finds her and your family. I didn’t think it was possible to cherish my 11 month old any more, but I do. Peace be with you.
My hearts goes out to you, Shanna and sweet Layla Grace and her sisters. Your family has shown me how strong people can be at the worst time possible. May you find peace in the coming days and know you have thousands of people praying for you.
May God Bless each of you.
Layla and your family are most deffinently in my prayers. For comfort and strength to all of yall. such a beautiful little girl and her family should not be going through anything like this.
You’re right , your blog , twitter, and facebook have touched so many people and have most deffinently made me appreciate everything i have and not take anything for granted.
I am hoping and praying for a miracle , everyday.
I recently heard about Layla’s story and my heart breaks for your family. I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through. My 7 year old son overheard me telling my husband about Layla and wanted to see her pictures and know her story. Now every night in his prayers he ask God to please be with Layla Grace and watch over her. Layla has touched our family in more ways than you can imagine, we feel like she is apart of us. Layla has taught me to be a better mom and has shown my children what faith and caring for others is truly about.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us and letting us into your home. We are praying for peace for Layla and your family every second of the day.
So many prayers have been said from our house to yours! I pray and I cry for you every day. I wish peace and comfort for sweet little Layla and your family. You are so much stronger than I think I could every be. Being the mom of a 13 month old and an almost 3 year old, I am not sure I could deal with this as you have. I stand in awe of you and your family! Many prayers again! Much love!
May God bring you, your family, and especially baby Layla Grace peace. My heart aches for you all. Many prayers are being said for you during this tumultous time.
Praying for you and for Layla, for comfort, relief and a peaceful passing into the arms of Jesus. Much Love and Prayers to you and your family. Will be praying into our night that God holds you strong. Layla is blessed to have you as you are to have her.
I’m praying for you guys! Stay strong!
My heart and soul aches for you tonight. I just found your blog through Kelly’s Korner, and I have found myself sitting here crying and begging God on behalf of your sweet Layla.
Oh God, please. We know you are faithful and hear our prayers. Please wrap Layla in your arms and bring her home to you peacefully. Embrace this family like never before Father. I’m praying and believing you will.
Praying!
I am praying for your sweet Layla Grace…that she and your entire family get the miracle that you deserve. What a blessing she is.
I found your blog off of Kelly’s Korner. I am so very sorry for what your family is going through and for what little Layla is going through. I wish that there was a way to remove all pain but I know that the Lord is working in your hearts even as I type these words. I will be praying for you. Thank you for sharing your beautiful little girl with the world. She is precious and special beyond what words can describe.
Love in Christ,
Bethany in Calfornia
Miss Layla is beautiful and will forever be in my heart!!!
Thinking of you all in this difficult time- I don’t know you, but I am in awe of your strength in a situation I cannot even begin to imagine how terrible.
Lots of love for you and your beautiful, brave little girl from the UK
I happened upon your blog by accident on Facebook. We just lost a loved one a week ago today so your recent post caught my attention. The more I read, the more I almost didn’t want to read. But I did anyway.
I absolutely can’t imagine being in your place right now. Even as a Believer I would want to scream, cry and blame Him. But those mysterious ways of His you are already witnessing…bringing people closer and to Him.
I’m not sure words can offer any amount of comfort right now, but God bless sweet Layla and may He be with your entire family and provide you strength and some sort of peace.
Many prayers <
Never before has a story touched me so profoundly. I find that Layla is my first thought when I wake up and my last thought before I go to bed. Last night as I prayed and cried out to God on your behalf I was struck by how much of an impact this precious baby has had on me. I parent with a different perspective, I love on a deeper level and my relationship with God has become more personal. And as I read more and more posts I am amazed at how much someone can accomplish in such a short lifetime. Layla will soon receive her crown and walk hand in hand with Jesus through the gates of heaven. Perfectly whole, perfectly healthy. So tonight I pray specifically for peace. Peace for Layla and peace for you.
Praying for your whole family. Bless you!
Thank you so much for being so open and honest in sharing your journey with us. I know I am not alone when I say this, your story and beautiful Layla grace have changed
my life forever. I embrace parenting
my two year old twins so much more and now see how very precious every moment is. I pray for Layla every day and for your family during these trying times. God bless you guys!
I have to say that Layla has done so much work here on earth. God has used her in so many ways, and has used both of you. Your faith is amazing, and although you may cry, you are crying out to our Lord, our Savior. I am glad to hear that He continues to give you the strength you need. I have three children of my own and you have humbled me. thank you for that. From Oregon, with prayers. From when I first wake up, throughout the day, and before bed, I am praying for you and your family…precious Layla. May God take her pain away….
I am praying for her all the time. I know God want’s his Angle home he has no reason to hurt anything but he need’s his baby back. God has so many wonderful thing’s planned for her up stairs that we couldn’t imagine. Like you said God brought her into this world to bring people closer to each other and closer to God, and that is what Layla did. God know’s she’s done her duty. She will alway’s be you all’s little Angle looking down on you all and Claire and Jenna every step you all take. She will guide you all in the right direction. But just remember to alway’s look into your heart’s and that is where she stay’s ALWAY’S. I will alway’s pray for her and your family.
I am so, so sorry for what you are all going through. The hardest prayer to pray, and the slowest one to come, is Thy will not mine but done. It is SO hard to pray Thy will at this moment. Praying for peace and comfort through this journey for your precious family.
If somehow you make it to my comment before Layla becomes an angel…find the strength to whisper in her ear that it’s okay to go and to follow her angels. I did this as I watched my dad die from pancreatic cancer. It may not help but I cherish that moment.
I am praying for peace and comfort for sweet Layla and strength for your family.
I have prayed for you and thought of you all since reading about Layla. I follow you on twitter and think of you all constantly. I can’t imagine what you are going through and I admire your strength and love! We pray for you daily!
I have been praying for awhile but this is the first time I have posted. I can not imagine what you are going through. Having watched my husbands great grandmother pass away like this, with the benefit of morphine, I am in tears. I am so so sorry that you have to go through something like this. May God ease her suffering and wrap you and your famiy in his love and peace. It is so hard at times like these to understand God’s will, but he is always an awesome God and there is something good to come out of all of this suffering.
Dear Shanna, Ryan, Layla Grace and your beautiful family…
I have prayed non stop this weekend for your continued strength. I’ve begged for a miracle. I pray for peace and comfort for Beautiful Layla. I love you baby girl, more than you will ever know.
Love always, Jaclyn
I pray for your precious baby girl. Things happen, and as believers we just dont understand it. My mother lost her battle with cancer in ‘99, and we watched her wither away as well. I pray strength and peace for your family. Blessing..Amos’s.
Spread your wings and fly Baby Girl. You will find that enternal confort on the other side…. May peace be with you and your family during these times of sorrow….
My heart breaks over and over again for your family. Your strength, courage and faith are such an inspiration. Praying for peace for little Layla.
My heart is breaking for you and your family. I have been in deep prayer for a miracle and for Layla to be pain free. May you receive Gods love, grace and peace through your pain.
In Christ,
Misty
Jesus please hold dear sweet Layla in your arms, let the pain wash away and the the joy of Your Spirit be in hers. I don’t understand the suffering, the ways in which things have to happen or the reason for such things. I do understand the love of a parent for their child and I feel the pain as though it is my own. Peace to your famliy, rest to Layla and release, please Jesus release.
I pray for Layla and your family. She has affected so many people. My heart goes out to you.
I am in tears reading your blog and just want you to know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers everyday. I am in awe how much Layla’s journey has touched my life – she truly is an angel in disguise. I pray that God brings her home peacefully and for your strength to make it through this.
Your family’s strength is amazing. I am a new follower to Layla’s story within the last few days, yet I cannot keep my heart from hurting. I find myself logging onto the internet during the day to check here, facebook, or twitter to see how she is doing. I guess you could say I’m praying for a miracle for your family. I realize I don’t know you personally, but I can’t help but not adore your little angel.
Give Layla Grace a hug and kiss from everyone here who loves her so dearly.
hoping for peace for layla and your entire family. you remind me daily to treasure the small moments with my children. thank you for sharing your courageous journey.
My heart breaks for your family. I can’t help but sit here and sob. I’ve been praying for your little angel and hope she finds peace soon.
I’ve been following Layla’s journey for just a short time, but already have been very touched by her story and by your faith. My 2 young daughters lost a very close friend to neuroblastoma last year. She, like your precious Layla, touched so many people, though her life here on earth was short.
I am in awe by the faith and grace so evidenced in your words here. I pray for peace and even more grace for your family and for Layla.
My heart aches for you reading this. God Bless Layla. God Bless you, Shanna and all her family.
Tears are pouring down and my heart is breaking for you all and for your precious child of God. I am praying for her comfort tonight.
Much love and many prayers sent …
xoxo
My heart hurts to think of your familys pain. You are brave to bring her home. Praying that you find some peace, and that your sweet baby finds comfort in your arms. Bless you.
Praying Layla’s discomfort goes away so that it’s not any harder than it already is for you. Praying for a miracle. Praying that you have the Father’s perfect peace as your eyes are fixed on Him. Praying for strength for you. Praying that He will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ.
I lost my 20-year old son Justin on April 7, 2002. His loss was unexpected and tragic. A very close friend’s 7-year old daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor shortly after Justin was killed. We became a part of his network of friends who loved and prayed with this family. He would send me emails frequently asking how I was able to function. As I said to him, fighting to keep your child can be as heartbreaking and tragic as losing one. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My heart is breaking for Layla Grace and your entire family. It is unimaginable what this little angel has had to indure. I pray for a miracle, for her to be free of this here on earth and to be able to live a full life with her loving parents and sisters. I pray that she has peace. I pray that you have peace. I know that God has a plan for us all, I don’t understand how a baby sufering can be part of that plan. No child should have to suffer like this. Layla Grace stays in my thoughts and prayers. Love and peace to you all.
Know that your presence, touch and embraces are comforting to Layla. I know it is so hard for you right now, but, you are showing her a glimpse of the Eternal Father’s kindness, comfort and love. Praying for your family.
Your little girl has touched my life. My daughter was born at 27 weeks and fought hard to survive. We begged and pleaded with God for a miracle. Watching her suffer at times was the hardest part. I worked on a peds. cancer floor as a nurse, and two of my other children have had pretty serious health issues. I have never been where you are, and can’t even imagine the profound grief you are enduring. When my children suffer, my heart aches, and I know both of you would gladly take her place. But I hope that you can find some comfort knowing God loves little Layla Grace and her Mommy and Daddy. I picture Him bending over your sweet girl, and shedding tears with you. Someday soon you will be with your precious Layla Grace in heaven, and there will be no more tears, no more suffering, and no more goodbyes. I’m praying for peace and comfort for your family tonight, and you are in my thoughts and prayers Many times throughout the day.
What special pictures you had taken. Love them all, but I think my favorite is the one with her looking into her daddy’s eyes while reading a book. May God bless your family.
Sincerely,
Monica
Your family & Layla are in my prayers.
Stay strong, have faith.
I wish you all the best.
xoxo
In Texas, praying for Layla Grace. Your daughter is in everyones thoughts, I see it all over my facebook. thousands and thousands of people. Your daughter has touched more hearts in two short years than people do in a lifetime. Prayers that she finds some peace.
I have no words. I am praying for Layla’s ease, peace, and comfort. Please know that I’m praying for all of you.
I’m praying that Layla has peace and comfort until she meets our Heavenly Father.
I pray that Ryan and Shanna have continued strength, and that you don’t have to watch her pass in horror.
Layla is loved by so many is a part of our family now as well. Our family speaks of her daily.
Layla Grace is our angel.
My heart breaks for your family. I have been and will continue praying that your sweet little Layla Grace finds peace and comfort. ((((Hugs)))) to your family and that amazing little girl.
Up here in Alaska….we are praying for Layla and your family. Your story has touched me in a way that has no words. I gave my son an extra long hug tonight before he went to sleep. Then I went on my knees and prayed for your little one. May peace and comfort blanket her…and faith that passes all understanding for you.
Praying for peace for Layla and your whole family. I cannot imagine how difficult this is. Please know how many people are constantly thinking about your sweet Layla and lifting all of you up in prayer.
I just found your story last night and have not been able to get little Layla or your family out of my mind since. I have a 2 year old little boy and couldn’t even image…it’s just so heartbreaking. You and your family are in my prayers. I pray for comfort and peace for little Layla and for your family; strength and peace.
I just discovered Layla’s facebook, blogspot & twitter 3 days ago. And I have had 3 days of non-stop praying and begging Heavenly Father for a miracle. More then anything I want this litte girl to have some peace and comfort. I have cried and cried for her and your Family. Her fight and story has made me cherish every minute with my Children. God Bless Layla Grace. God Bless you and your Family. I will continue to pray, and pray always.
Dear Jesus, please hear our cries, our prayers for Layla tonight. Please bring peace to Layla, please please end her suffering. Please give her a miracle or give her wings to fly. It’s so heartbreaking to read that Layla is unrecognizable to her parents, they are doing everything they can to help her, to comfort her and they need YOU tonight to deliver her from the pain and suffering. Lord, Layla was fearfully and wonderfully made by you. You know all the hairs on her precious head, you count them, as you know the number of her days. Her work on earth has united a people, mended broken relationships, strengthened families, brought your people back to YOU. Please please heal Layla, whether here on earth or in Heaven. Please give her complete peace, that transcends all understanding. Please Lord. Amen.
Ryan and Shanna,
I can not tell you how many times i log on here each and every day since I found out about your precious angel. I keep thinking that there is going to be a miracle and that her frail body will be healed. But I truly believe that God has something else in mind for your precious Layla. She has touched so many lives in such a very short time. She has taught mothers and fathers to never take their children for granted. Children are a blessing from above. I am a mother of five and I thank God each and every night for the wonderful gifts that he has given me.
You continue to share this journey with us, and I thank you for that. Precious Layla is here to remind us what the meaning of family is, and what the meaning of love is. She has touched my heart so profoundly and although I have never met her, she is and will continue to be a part of my heart.
I hope and pray that God will give you and your family peace. You are strong, and I truly believe that God does not give us more than we can handle. Ryan and Shanna, you have been an inspiration to all, and I only hope that you realize what special people you all are, and how lucky Layla is to have all of you, and how lucky you are to have her, no matter how long that time may be.
The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up is to look on Twitter and find out about how Layla spent the night. Before bedtime I also check on any updates. My family is praying for you, Layla. May you soon find peace. You will never be forgotten, you are bringing so many people closer to God.
Much love,
Suze
I have prayed more fervently in the past 4 days since I learned of precious Layla Grace’s sickness (via RuffleButts on FB) than I can ever recall. I have cried more in the past 4 days than I can remember. My only daughter is 4 months younger than Layla, and every time I look at her I have thought “what if it was her”? Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reminding me what’s important in life and that cleaning and other supposedly “important” things can wait. I have put “LGM” on my fridge as a constant reminder to pray and prioritize. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through, especially after seeing the tweet about Layla not eating in 13 days. I don’t understand the suffering of a child, but I think that God has used your daughter in a special way; to reach out to thousands and thousands in a way that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Still praying for a miracle, peace, and for God to wrap His loving arms around your family. God bless you.
Laylagrace,
May the Lord hold you and keep you! May his blessings pour over you as you make the transition from messenger to angel! May your heart radiate all the lessons and love you were sent to disburse. You, my precious darling, are our beacon of light, in a time where darkness prevails. Your short journey gave back to me. It reminded me of the importance of love, faith, strength, courage and devotion to our father and his son! I may never have met you, but Laylagrace, you gave to me without question, what I have forgotten! I am sure you will grace our heavens with love and hope! I will forever keep you in my heart, and will pray for your family! Thank you young lady for making a difference! Thank you for being my teacher! Thank you for your life and your courage! You Laylagrace, are an angel! God Bless you and may you see the gates of heaven where you will be free and perfect!
With love and prayers!
Anthony and Danielle
Phoenix, AZ
I wake up each day and wonder how Layla Grace is…… If she was able to sleep, was she comfortable, was she able to drink…… My heart breaks for you. I check your site every chance I get to see how she is doing each day. I sit and weep and pray for you all and especially Layla Grace. She is a perfect stranger to me but I love her so. I have been following your blog for quite sometime and there is not a day that goes by that I sit and pray for Layla Grace. There is going to be a huge party in heaven…. That little girl has changed so many peoples lives. Praying for you in LEXINGTON, SC
Love, Nancy Nickles
Thank you, Ryan, for being so vulnerable and real with us. Your pain is felt deeply and your burden shared. We love your whole family and implore our Heavenly Father for mercy and grace. We adore Layla Grace and thank you for sharing her with us – for sharing her with the world. That tiny innocent baby has changed our hearts forever. On our knees begging God for a night of rest and peace; comfort and strength. Thanks to one angel baby, we will never be the same. To God be the glory!
My prayers and thoughts continue to be with you and your family. I believe the world of Twitter and Facebook have fallen in love with Your sweet Layla and she has served and amazing God in an Amazing way.
Peace be with Baby Layla
We all mourn with you!
Melissa Kirkhuff
The entire Marsh family is on my mind from morning to night. I check for up dates from the time I get up in the morning until I go to sleep at night. Your family is amazing even if at times you don’t think so, we all do. Layla Grace has changed so many of us for the better. She is a true angel. I believe with all of my heart she was sent here to show the rest of the world what we should be living for and that is each other. I am so sorry for the pain she is suffering and the anguish you must feel. I have followed Layla’s heart wrenching journey since last May. Nancy and Michelle have been friends of mine since grade school. Nancy is who I heard about Layla through. I am so, so glad I did, because she has touched my heart. There are no words to describe the way we all feel about this angelic child of yours. God bless you all. ♥
I don’t know what else to say other than I am so very sorry; I will continue to keep Layla Grace and family in my thoughts and prayers as I have for several months.
There are no words. Only prayers for sweet Layla and all of you.
Praying for miracles and peace for your precious little girl!
Hi my friend
I lost my lovely Roza because of cancer 1 years ago she was one and half years old, now I know what you and your family are going through but remember they are God’s angels on the earth and I think they came for a mission and when they done with it they will take off their human dress and will go back to heaven with their head hold high and proud from what they have did for their God.
I remembered all the memories of Roza by seeing Layla’s pictures; I know what she means to you because these kids are really special. God will help you through all these and remember we are with you all the time and distance could not separate our souls …love you Layla…
Thank you for sharing Layla’s story through the Blog and Twitter. She has touched countless lives and done so much to raise awareness. Love and prayers for beautiful Layla from Nashville.
Thank you for your honesty. Your faith is inspiring. Praying incessantly for Layla’s physical pain to diminish and for your family’s emotional pain as well. I pray that God continues to wrap Himself tightly around your precious family and make Himself known to you in ways unimaginable.
My prayers and wishes are with you and your beautiful family. God bless
I’ve always wondered why such terrible things can happen to the innocent. In fact this morning I was asking my husband when little children pass, if in the after life (yes there is an after life), are parents able to raise there children or will they already be grown. He told me that all of the scriptures that talk about the after life, and the children that are taken young in life, parents will be able to raise them, and watch them grow. I find comfort in knowing that. Even at this sad time in your life you will be with your layla once again and will be able to watch her grow, be with her forever.
I hope and pray that you find the comfort and peace you need at this time in your life.
D&C 121:7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.
Christa
Since I found out about Layla I never stopped thinking about it, my prayers all day focusing on it. Thank God he has wonderful parents and brave
Layla has made me see even more how precious life is and how short it can be.
I have a two year old who loved and now I appreciate every day more thanks to Layla.
I keep an eye on her and from Phoenix, will continue asking God for her and her family.
I am praying for you and your family. I cannot imagine what you are going through but know that your precious Layla is on my mind all the time and i am praying for your whole family. Love to you all <3
Hi, I’ve been reading your blog for a few days now and it truly has changed the way I am with my kids. My daughter was born blind out of the left eye (microophthalmia) and I am embarrassed to say that I’ve long stopped praying for a miracle, for her eye to grow and be able to see! I’ve settled with having her wear a prosthetic eye… but seeing how you haven’t given up on praying for God to heal Layla showed me you can NEVER stop asking for a miracle, asking for exactly what you dream for your child!
Never feel like you need to explain why your blogging or tweetering!!! Thank you for doing so… this is how you amplify God’s reach!!!! Thank heavens for this technology being used for good, bringing people together in prayer for your little girl, bringing people to pray again and reconnect with God!!!
I’ll never complain about not having time to empty the dishwasher or doing laundry because of the kids being on my feet all day! Thank you for helping me be a better mom!!!
I’ll be praying for a miracle again, for both our girls!
May God be with you, giving you peace and comfort!
Love from Boston
I sit here tonight and tears are flowing as I read your new post today. I am so very sorry your family and Layla have been given this journey. I have been praying and you all have been on my mind. I know none of us will ever understand or ever have all our questions answered of why this has happened? or what God’s plan is for your family?or why your precious child is needed back in the kingdom of heaven. I wish with all my heart and all my cries of prayers that God will bring peace and release the pain Layla is suffering through and to your family. Its a such an unimaginable heartache to see your child suffer in pain and I know you as parents would do anything to take your child’s place.I will continue to uplift Layla,and your family in prayer. Im so very sorry….I posted on my Facebook and my blog to continue to pray and lift your family with faith and love in our Heavenly Father. Love a Canadian Girl….
Hoping for Layla to be comfortable while she is here. Wishing for a miracle for your stong little daughter. x
Still Praying for Layla & your entire family!! My heart breaks tonight thinking about what she is going through…what you are going through!! I want So much for a miracle to happen & have her be 100% in your arms. I keep thinking that I know GOD can do it. What a perfect way to show he is here with us!! What a perfect testament it would be!! I have NEVER seen so many people following & praying for one little girl!! Please Heavenly Father…Please heal Layla Grace from this cancer!! He can still do it!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whenever I read these blogs the song Praise You In This Storm comes to my mind. I will continue to pray for God to ease not only Layla’s pain but also that of your families.
I lost my baby 3 months ago tomorrow. She was 22. I understand your post. It’s not like in the movies. You don’t get those moments. But keep your faith. Remember the good moments. I still can’t bring myself to some of the memories of the last year. Ashley fought a rare and aggressive cancer for 7 months. Rarely good days, much less good weeks. But, if I hadn’t had my faith, I couldn’t have been strong for her. Her favorite prayer was the Lord’s Prayer. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”. Remember, it is not for our understanding here on earth. God has a much larger plan. We prayed for a miracle…to let Ashley live. We didn’t get the miracle we thought we wanted, but I still believe there was a miracle in the works. Faith borne in some who didn’t believe. Faith strengthened in others. Friendships bloomed, renewed and strengthened. That…well, that was beauiful. I am sure your Layla has done that. Remember that beauty!
God bless,
Barb
God bless you Layla Grace!! You have made the world a better place!! Thank YOU!!
May our dear God hold your little angel in his arms and give her comfort and peace. Praying for Layla and her loving family.
We love you SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much Layla!!! Please sleep well tonight & awake in the morning feeling better!!
I have only been following your story for a week or so now, but I have been praying for your whole family ever since! The psalm tonight at mass reminded me of Layla, and I thought of it particularly as I read your latest post. The words are based on Psalm 27:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Of whom should I be afraid? . . . There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life . . . . I believe I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of living. Hope in God, and take heart. Hope in the Lord!”
I will continue to pray that Layla will pass as peacefully as possible and that you and your whole family will continue to find hope in God! Thank you for sharing your journey and your faith with us!
Your story touches my heart so…I have shared it with my friends of faith, and you and your family will be in my Rosary prayers. I pray for comfort for Layla and God’s gentle and loving hands to be upon your family. Prayers from Kansas…Peace be with you….
I have thought so much about you and your family in recent days and the other day heard a song that I hadnt heard in a while. I dont know if you have heard it but I believe it bears a strong resemblance to the life your family must lead every day. Its by a country singer named Sherrie Austin. The lyrics are as follows:
Hello God, it’s me again. 2:00 a.m., Room 304.
Visiting hours are over, time for our bedside tug of war.
This sleeping child between us may not make it through the night.
I’m fighting back the tears as she fights for her life.
Well, it must be kind of crowded,
On the streets of Heaven.
So tell me: what do you need her for?
Don’t you know one day she’ll be your little girl forever.
But right now I need her so much more.
She’s much too young to be on her own:
Barely just turned seven.
So who will hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven?
Tell me God, do you remember the wishes that she made,
As she blew out the candles on her last birthday cake?
She wants to ride a pony when she’d big enough.
She wants to marry her Daddy when she’s all grown up.
Well, it must be kind of crowded,
On the streets of Heaven.
So tell me: what do you need her for?
Don’t you know one day she’ll be your little girl forever.
But right now I need her so much more.
She’s much too young to be on her own:
Barely just turned seven.
So who will hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven?
Lord, don’t you know she’s my angel
You got plenty of your own
And I know you hold a place for her
But she’s already got a home
Well I don’t know if you’re listenin’
But praying is all that’s left to do
So I ask you Lord have mercy, you lost a son once too
And it must be kind of crowded,
On the streets of Heaven.
So tell me: what do you need her for?
Don’t you know one day she’ll be your little girl forever.
But right now I need her so much more.
Lord, I know once you’ve made up your mind,
There’s no use in beggin’.
So if you take her with you today, will you make sure she looks both ways,
And would you hold her hand when she crosses the streets of Heaven.
Your family has touched so many lives to include mine and now my husbands. The macho military man that he is asks for brief updates but doesnt want to hear too much as it is too painful. He too is awestruck by your strength. All of our problems seem so trivial and miniscule as we continue to pray for your family. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to you!
Ryan, I pray for peace and comfort over your family. We will never fully understand God’s will, but He will never forsake you. And we have to remember that ALL things work together for good (Rom 8:28)… Just from what little I have seen about Laylas story is miraculous. How many of us live from day to day without drawing people together through HIS love as He commands us to? Your little angel has done that. Through you and your wife, people are drawing nearer to God. He picked you and your wife to be her special parents. He knew her and had a plan for her before she was born. She is fulfilling that plan and He may be calling her home as His good and faithful servant, as we should all hope for one day. I hate that she has not been able to spend much time with you in this life, but if she is taken home soon, I fully believe you will be reunited again! What a glorious day that will be! Our life is but “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). I pray that God gives you a blanket of comfort and that you may find peace and love though all of us that are “with” you in some way, on this journey… I pray that Layla’s pain be relieved and that her remaining time on Earth be filled with love and spiritual peace. With love… C.
I’m angry after reading that Layla hasn’t eaten in 13 days. I’m angry that this is a “natural” part of dying. I’m angry that you have to watch your baby stop living like this. I’m angry that she hasn’t the strength to form words. I know you can’t give her food, I know that would be worse than not giving her food. I pray for your strength. I know His will is perfect. I know that one day you will know the answers to your whys and why nots. I know that her life’s tapestry reaches across the world. I know she continues to do a work on this earth and I know that Job taught us not to council God, but gee willikers! I pray for peace for you. I pray for a restful night for Layla and for you I pray for God’s hand on your shoulder to steady your faith in His perfect will.
I’ve only just been following your blog for the last few days; you can be sure that you and your dear baby have touched my life in a very special way. My heart is breaking watching you watch poor Layla suffer like this. I think of you, Layla and your family throughout each day and pray unceasingly for your comfort and a peaceful end to Layla’s terrible suffering.
God our refuge and strength,
close at hand in our distress;
meet us in our sorrow and lift our eyes
to the peace and light of your constant care.
Help us so to hear your word of grace
that our fear will be dispelled by your love,
our loneliness eased by your presence
and our hope renewed by your promises
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Joseph, patron of the dying – please pray for the Marsh family and for dear Layla especially that her suffering may be over soon.
-Theresa, in Maine.
Thank you for sharing what you are going through. Your journey with Layla has made me re-evaluate my focus. I now know what is truly important. I pray that you have a peaceful night with your little angel. Such a beautiful girl.
My heart is breaking for your family. I am praying for you all during this time. I am praying for peace!
~Megan Racca
Carrollton, TX
Praying for your family and wishing Layla Grace comfort and peace. Thank you for sharing your little daughter with us. She is so beautiful, as is the rest of your family. And what breathtaking blue eyes! I’m praying for a miracle but I also know that she will be a wonderful little angel and she has already touched so many. Love and prayers from Florida.
I cry, but ur right God has a plan, ur all in my prayers!!!
I have a 7 year old that was with me when I looked at your pictures and blog for the first time. As the tears ran down my face I explained to him what was happening. His only words were “that is harsh”. Out of the mouths of babes…
That precious angel has been in my prayers since i heard of her battle with this monster.You and Shanna are doing everything right,you will not have any regrets.Layla is so lucky to have such a wonderful family around her and you were blessed to have had her in your lives.She has taught me so much, and has made so many of us reevaluate what is important in our lives, things that I use to stress over seem so unimportant now. She is a blessing and had a huge purpose here on earth. Thank you Layla Grace. Rest little one dont be afraid,take God’s hand and follow him.Tell her its ok to go…..and that we will all miss her so much even though we have never met her. God bless you.
A verse to bring you comfort: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I am up tonight praying for your little Layla. My heart is just broken for your family. I pray for peace, I pray for comfort, I just pray that your little girl moves on to a blessed place where she will feel no more pain.
Please take care of one another, and let that little one know that she has touched so many lives and she has done so much good.
Goodnight sweet Layla, may you find your peace soon.
Reading your past post, I never cried, I prayed but I never cried until now, my heart is broke. God never puts more on us than we can bear, it makes me wonder, he really knows us better than we know ourselves because I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that you are going through right now. My problems seem so small right now, it really don’t matter right now. That sweet little angel has touched my heart. I pray that God gives you all the strength to endure this valley and one day give you peace that passes all understanding. May God Bless and keep you all.
The story of your sweet daughter has had me in my floor weeping and praying for days. I have been praying for healing along with a spirit of peace for you and your wife. I can never imagine what you guys must be going through, but you both are such a blessing to everyone. Your faith is amazing and despite what you may feel, you are strong. I pray that you never let go of who God is, and i know that in these times it makes you wonder where He is, but He is there; He is right beside you holding your hand and has Layla in his arms. There is a song that comes to mind when I think of Layla and your family. It is Worth It All by Rita Springer. It goes “I don’t understand you ways, oh, but will give you my song, give you all of my praise, You hold onto all my pain, pulling me closer and into your ways.” I was driving back to school today and this song came on and I just started praying that you guys just continue to seek Him and remember that we go through these things not understanding why God would put this in our lives, but through every storm and every painful day, that he is drawing us nearer to him. When Layla finally goes back home, I see her dancing with Jesus. I am praying for you guys.
-Erin
I keep close tabs on your tweets and this site checking often for updates. I silently pray to myself over and over again throughout my day for peace and comfort for your family and Layla. I want so much for you to have more time with your child, but I wish for Layla to be out of pain more than anything.
There are prayers being said here in Virginia Beach,
Much love and peace,
Kristin Daugherty
Sweet Layla,
thank you for making me a better Mommy. I wake up earlier every morning because of you…I don’t want to have another rushed moment with my girls. I enjoy the extra time to sit down and talk with them as they have cereal before school. This was always a rushed and stressful time before you shared with us your story and reminded me that EVERY moment is so special. You are in my thoughts all throughout the day and have changed my life. I am so sorry that you are suffering sweet girl. I thank you for your life and for the beautiful change that YOU have made in my life. I am forever changed because of you. Rest your precious soul sweet Layla.
Forever greatful to you,
Alyssa and Reese’s Mommy
I have spent the last several hours weeping and praying for little Layla Grace and re-reading your posts. I have stopped several times to check on MY three babies in their beds and pray over them. Your family has reminded us to cherish every moment.
I type this with tears rolling down my face wishing for words to comfort you, yet I know our God is the only one capable of giving you that super natural peace and comfort in such a troubling time. I weep with you for your sorrow and Layla’s suffering, yet I rejoice that someday you will be reunited in Heaven where her perfect little body will hurt no more.
Praying for you every minute… wishing I could help in some way…
I have to rely on God’s word at this moment knowing that Jeremiah 29:11 still rings true for Layla. God has a huge plan for this child’s life and her story.
With love,
Natalie
My heart is literally breaking for you, sweet Layla Grace. And for your wonderful, supporting family. You have touched SO many lives in ways that you nor your family will ever know. You have touched mine a great deal. I read the things in this blog and I decided that I will not be frustrated by the things my children do, in ways that I used to. I will take that extra time to let them help me load the dishwasher, or help me put wet clothes in the dryer. I will stop long enough to look my children in the eye when they are speaking to me, and give them my undivided attention. Your story has been such a blessing to me. Life has a way of causing us to forget to take the small moments and chairsh them to no end. I truly feel that this little angel is a gift from God…a gift for all of us to share.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. And we are so grateful for you, for sharing this story. I truly fell in love with this little girl (and your family) the first moment I saw her. I called my husband, who was out of town (the first time I read this blog), and I could not even talk to him. I was so heart-broken. He thought something was wrong with me. I finally mastered the strength to tell him what I had just read, and he wept for you, too. God bless you, precious angel Layla Grace. I pray that God will wrap His loving arms around each one of you and provide you with the strength and peace you so deperatley deserve.
God bless you all!!
I too have tears running down my face. I live in AZ & I learned of your sweet baby through my sister-in-law who lives in TX & somehow heard about Layla. What an amazing thing the internet it. I’m sorry for your struggle & am looking forward to meeting Layla some day when we are all made whole. May the God of peace comfort Layla and the rest of your family.
My Mother-in-law died of stomach cancer. It is an awful, cruel way to go. I’m so sorry you have to see your little girl go through this. I’m praying for all you in every way imaginable.
Dear Layla,
Because of you, I have become a better mommy and wife. You have made me realize the priceless value of precious time I have with my own two children. I will be forever grateful for you and will never forget you. May you rest in forever in God’s peace.
With much love,
Jacob and Lia’s Mom
I only heard about Layla and your family about a week and a half ago, but your experience has had such an impact on how I look at life and how I treat those I love, and even those I don’t know. As difficult as it is, Thank You for sharing this, my life is forever changed because of your beautiful baby girl. I will continue to pray for you and your family, and especially your precious Layla Grace. I hope that God continues to give you all peace and shower blessings on your family during this tough time.
Thank you for sharing your story. I have only been aware of your situation for about a week now but have been changed forever by it. I pray daily for peace for Layla and peace for your family in the days ahead. Layla is truly one of God’s angels and has touched so many lives in the short time she has been here on Earth. She will be rewarded when she joins all the other angels in heaven. Love to you all!
You are always in my prayers. I have a daughter too same as Layla’s age, and your story tears me apart inside. I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through and I am crying everyday why she has to go through all these. Sending you all the love and prayers the entire universe can muster.
I pray for your strength and miracle, and lesser pain for Layla and your whole family in this ordeal.
Lord, may your Kingdom come…your will be done..on earth…in Layla’s body…in her little earthen vessel…as it is in Heaven. We praise you that “love never ends” and if this cup doesn’t pass from this precious family, and they must drink from it, then the love they have all shared together with Layla Grace will keep their hearts connected for Eternity. Thank you God for giving them the grace that has been sufficient, minute by minute, as they have walked by faith, holding your hand, trusting you for the impossible. Comfort them now…and in all their tomorrows as they love Layla through pure hearts. You said, Jesus, that if they believed, that they would see your Glory. Let that be so…because your Word is “truth.” All eyes are upon you, oh God. And as we wait on the Lord, please renew our strength, for you are our Hope.
Thank you, thank you for sharing your difficult story. I hope it is some comfort to know you have changed the perspective of many mommies out there (myself included). I will cherish every moment.
As others have said, I look forward to meeting Layla (and you) when we are on the other side!
Blessings from Arkansas.
I’m sorry you are so helpless. I’m sorry that Layla is in so much pain.
I have two children. I am literally, physically aching and groaning imagining what your hours and minutes are like. I am trusting God to interpret these “groans that words cannot express” for you.
I don’t have the words to send to him nor to you, but I am here, along with you.
Thank you for sharing your story, I just found this blog a few days ago and can’t stop thinking about your sweet Layla. I am praying for her and for your family, my heart breaks over and over again for you. Thank you for your honesty in your writing, Layla and your family has touched my life forever.. teaching me how to love and cherish every second with my child and showing me what honest faith looks like in the most terrible of situations. Your words and Layla’s life are so precious and I pray you know that she has made such a remarkable imprint on so many peoples’ lives during her short-lived one. God bless you all, she is an incredible instrument for the Lord!
My heart goes out to you as you watch your little one. It’s not supposed to be like this. I just said a little prayer for Layla and your family. May God bless you in your time of need
Close your eyes and think of Layla Grace and the most beautiful memory that you have of her. That is what God sees. Soon she will be active, healthy and beautiful and will be watching down over you. When you see a dove you will think of her with glistening white wings, beautiful eyes, rose colored cheeks. Your heart will feel heavy, and tears will flow, but she will be there to touch your cheek. She with be there every birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving and family gatherings. Your will see a bird or a butterfly or maybe even a rose that you just cannot take you eyes off of. Close your eyes she will be there. She and God will send you these things to remind you of her. Take the time to look for her in the things that you would have shared with her, because now she will share them with you. Open your heart to the things that she will share with you. Smile when you feel that small breath touch you for it will be her saying hello mommy I am here to watch you. She will be saying lets go for a walk and watch the butterflies, lets sit in the park and listen to the birds, lets plant a flower so that we can smell them. She will be there in everything that is beautiful and good. Just close your eyes and open your heart. You will see. God is there with open arms, he will not let you fall, and soon she will be there to hold you up too. Let her wings carry you. I pray that you will not suffer long for this to will pass once you experience that first time with her and all of her beauty.
With all of the love that God has given to me
Carla
Thank you for your tweets and these blogs, I know we live in a different part of the world but I cannot tell you the impact Layla has ghd on my life. Your story is every parents worse nightmare but little Layla has made a difference in this troubled world!
She truly is Gods precious gift to us all.
x x x
I found your little girl’s story tonight by looking at a friends facebook page who was crying out to God for His mercy and for your families strength. She had said she held her baby boy sobbing tonight as she wrote, and was asking everyone to pray with her for your sweet baby girl. She included the link to the site… and I had to get caught up. Tonight I read through the entire site for hours with tears rolling down my face and saying prayers the whole way through. It was then that I saw how many “facebook friends”, twitter “followers”, and extended Christian family that you had and was amazed by the outpouring of support from people literally all around the world. I pray that you feel comforted by this, if even a little bit. From Maine to Florida, and from London all the way to San Francisco where I am now, your family is being lifted up to God in prayer. How absolutely beautiful is that, and what a testiment to your faith and inspiration to all of us! THANK YOU for sharing your daughter with us, and reminding us to put out lives back into focus. My plans for the night, for next week, for next year, and for my life in general have been completely re-focused. Bless you and all of your beautiful daughters.
Brittany in California
I pray she feels at peace. I also wanted to share with you my favorite hymn when I think about heaven…Im sure youve heard it before, but it brings me comfort thinking about it like this songwriter put it
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Having sat with 2 family members and a friend as they took their last breath I know the pain you suffer. But, I have never lost a child and I can’t imagine that pain. Layla will soon know peace.
By sharing your life at this most difficult time you have gained friends and renewed our faith.
like the other commenters i have ony known of Miss Layla for a couple of weeks now. my heart physically aches for your family god has your family of 5 in the palm of his hands holding you very closely as all of you are enduring these aweful days ahead. i am praying with everything i have for all of ya’ll. miss layla, fight the fight honey. it’s ok. god is going to take care of the rest. my life IS forever changed because of your story. may god bless ya’ll.
My parents used to say this blessing over us at night, and now I say it over my daughters. I hope that the same words can bring you all some comfort in such a horrible time.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
We are sending prayers your way from Las Vegas.
Praying for beautiful Layla with great fervor here in Wisconsin. My gratefulness for “knowing her” thru this blog and your twittering is simply not expressable in words. Please, please let all the love and prayers that are inspired by and offered up for Layla ease at least a small piece of her pain — and yours! — as you continue on this most difficult journey. xoxoxo
My mom loved this song, and it was a great comfort to me after she died. May it comfort you, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCVTuevEUWA
Prayers for you all …for Layla’s comfort and peace. My heart aches to hear her story. How you cherish her and not want her tohave pain. We don’t know the reasons many times. Askng God to take away her suffering.
Please know that your family and your precious little angel are in my prayers. You are all so loved…we will NEVER stop praying for healing from pain and for peace.
J
I am in awe of your strength and pray that precious Layla Grace with soon be at peace and no longer in pain. I cannot begin to know what you are all going through, but pray for a miracle and peace for all of you.
Little Layla has touched me in ways I didn’t know possible. I have been following your story on Twitter for several days now and you are all in my thoughts and prayers constantly. Layla’s strength is amazing and is truly a very loved little girl that has taught all of us some very valuable lessons. I hope that she finds peace very soon and that you all know that you are not alone in your love or your fight.
You all are in my prayers and thoughts and I thank you for sharing your story and bringing awareness to all of us.
Lifting up prayers!
Psalms 28:8-9 The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Prayer Bears
My email address
MY HEART IS BROKEN, Cancer has hit my family hard as well. All i can do is say a big prayer for LAYLA and all of you guys. She is no less than a hero and an angel
(((((((( And same goes for all of you.
me & my baby in my tummy both just said a very nice prayer, i believe in miracles.
I do not have the words to say how your family and Layla Grace has touched me. I’ve lost 2 children and 1 grandchild tragically ,but not like Layla . I pray for peace and healing one way or another for Layla Grace. I want a miracle, I pray for a miracle but most of all I pray for your peace. She is touching lives, you are touching lives. I know that brings you little comfort and you would rather have her well and not touching lives. We just have to know that there is a reason and we may never know that reason. I am thinking of Layla Grace constantly and checking every hour for updates wanting that miracle. I am now praying for peace to Layla and you and your family, I’ll still take the miracle, not giving up on that one. I will always remember Layla Grace and thank God for her and how she has touched my life. With great love and prayers for your family.
We are all praying for God to perfom a miracle. But we know our prayers for her healing may be answered by her being taken to Heaven where she will be whole again. I don’t know your family personally — I just know that Layla is a beautiful, sweet little girl who has touched me deeply. I think that maybe there are some people who pass through our lives — even on the perimeter — who teach us something, remind us to love deeper or pray harder or live better. Maybe that’s Layla Grace’s purpose here on earth. God Bless You sweet baby. You have wrapped yourself around all of our hearts.
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Layla is the same age as my youngest son and it breaks my heart that while my son sleeps peacefully, Layla is fighting cancer. Why is life so unfair? Too many beautiful wonderful children having to fight grown up battles and then are taken from us much too soon.
I believe God sends children who only have a short time on Earth to parents who can give a lifetime of love in that short time. You’re both good parents. I will continue to send my prayers and love to you all.
I have been thinking non-stop about precious Layla. I have constantly been wondering where the miracle is that we all have been desperately praying for. As I read each and every Twitter
and blog update, I have finally come to realize, that Layla IS the miracle. She truly is an angel!!! Her two years of life have made more impact than most people do in a lifetime. Thank you for allowing us into your life for the past 10 months, my heart shatters everytime I read an update. I’m praying for comfort and peace for you and your family, Layla Grace!! You have touched my heart in so many ways, and my faith with Him has grown tremendously because of your journey. God Bless the Marsh family!
I first heard about this precious little baby of yours through facebook. I took one look at her and it instantly made me picture my 19 month old brother. It is so hard for me to think that Layla is the same age as him and she is slowing slipping away. My brother was born with clubbed feet, and I thought it was going to be the worst thing to deal with. When I found out about your precious daughter, it made me realize that what he went through was basically nothing. Simply because his condition had a cure. This has made me realize how important every second of every day is to spend with those who you love. Even though I don’t know you or your family I can honestly say I fell in love with Layla from the moment I saw her picture. I have prayed for the best for your family everyday, multiple times a day. So, in a way I want to thank you and your family for sharing this literally life changing story with everyone. Everytime I look at her pictures I just cry. I try to explain the meaning of precious time to my sister who is eight, and I think she even is starting to understand because of these blogs.
Sweet Layla Grace, you have been such an inspiration and a gift from God, that words cannot even explain. You are by far the strongest little baby I have ever learned about and you will forever be in my heart and prayers. Hang in there little one. I pray there is a miracle happening in every inch of your tiny body.
May God’s peace be with you- we will be praying for you and for peace for your beautiful daughter.
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. . .
Once again, I couldn’t sleep tonight thinking about Layla, so I came downstairs to get on the computer to check up on her and discovered that my house was quickly filling up with gas due to a turned stove knob. I usually sleep like a rock, so no telling what would have happened if I hadn’t had her on my mind. Strange how so young a person can have such an impact on so many people, and in ways you wouldn’t expect.
When Layla goes to be with the Angels, she will be taking a piece of my heart with her. I have come to love her thru your posts and i feel honored to have had this small amount of time with her. She is a precious angel. Please know that she is very much loved.
So here I am, overwhelmed by the blogs and tweets about Layla Grace. That I felt the urge to write something…whatever it may be. Reading Layla’s Mom’s tweets and blogs make me realize one thing, nothing in this world is promised and our time here is borrowed. Yet, this beautiful little girl Laya has touched countless amounts of people including myself in her 2 years here on this earth. Being a Mom, I can only imagine the heartache that Layla’s parents must be going through. Children are suppose to bury their parents one day, not the other way around!
Yet, if Layla’s story has taught me anything it is this: to love my family with every fiber of my being, hold my daughter tighter, tell my husband I love him more often, reach out to my friends more and smile at that stranger who might need it.
We tend to go around and complain about what we don’t have, the materialistic things that we sometimes don’t need, how things could be”better”, and get down on things not even worth worrying about most of the time. Not me, not anymore. Everyday is a blessing, and every moment with my daughter is a treasure.
Following Layla’s story for the past couple of weeks I find myself checking twitter just to see how she is doing (just like you Kim). The days that she is not doing great, I find myself saying a small prayer for her and carrying her around in my heart that day. The days I read positive tweets about her I instantly perk up and get a resounding happiness through me. Layla you have given me a new beginning, I think before I heard your story I took a lot of things for granted, and didn’t give thanks for all the wonderful people in my life. You have changed that. Because of you I feel like I will enjoy everything a little more than I did before. My daughter has never looked more beautiful to me, her gigles bring me joy like never before, and her hugs give me a warmth that fill me to my soul.
I pray for your comfort little one,and the strenght that your parents need to get through all of this. You are truly a little Angel on earth, I hope you find the peace you deserve through this.
Prayers for Layla and family.
Praying for sweet Layla. I hope God gives her peace and she is pain free. Reading your blogs and posts tears me up inside. I have a son around the same age I cannot imagine having to deal with what you all are going through. Praying for you! So not fair for such a sweet beautiful baby to leave this way.
I can’t imagine what you and your sweet family are going thru and especialy sweet Layla. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I pray you and your sweet angel will find peace and that the Lord will ease Layla’s pain and welcome her home soon. I am truly inspired by your words and comments and you have made me cherish my son even more than I already did. If time and emotions permit, please continue to blog as you and your family literally provide strength and inspiration to so many others whether you realize it or not. My prayer scontinue to be with.
Peace to Layla and to your whole family.
My prayers go out to you guys. I know exactly what your going through I just went through this almost a yr in may with my dad he had colon cancer stage 4. All you can do is pray it’s the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life seeing the strongest man I kno laying there suffering. But I can only imagine how hard it is to see your Little girl lying there and wish you can take all the pain away. And your thinking was does god take good people? I ask that to myself everyday ” why did you take my daddy”?
I will be praying for you guys and following you on Twitter. God bless you and your family.
Yours truly Ashley
To Layla’s family. Crying and voicing you wants is not a sign of breaking down or without strength. It’s the strength and power of your passion for a mircle or peace speaking out. We admire you and thank God that during this time you both have the strength to keep passing the message of this disease and what it does not only to the person it has hit but it’s family member as well. The easiest thing wouldve been keeping to yourself and accepting it. But you are not standing by letting it go by without explaination or letting others of your concerns. And although raising this awareness can’t physicially save your beautiful child right now but she’ll live forever in whatever cure or early detection you helped to push through. This is for her and future children. Sending prayers for all of you from California.
Just wanted to let you know that I, too, am praying for your sweet little Layla. Your beautiful daughter has captured my heart, and you, Layla and your family are constantly on my mind and heart.
Love and constant prayers,
~Valerie
Lord, I come to You to lift this family up in prayer. We know that everything You do is for a reason and that You will not put anything on us that we cannot bear, but help them to feel Your precense through these unbearable times. You promised that You will not foresake those who seek Your kingdom, and I pray that this Family finds comfort in Your grace. I pray that You provide peace to Laylas little body and that her family rest assured that she is Your little Warrior and she won the battle. Praying in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen
Praying hard for Layla now and throughout the night, praying she sleeps through the night peacefully and with no pain, praying she wakes to a Monday morning MIRACLE.
Rebecca ND
I’m so very much touched by you and your family. I pray for comfort and strength for you and your family. Your story has touched my heart in many ways and I am a better mom thanks to you and your family. Bless sweet Layla
I’ve been wanting to leave a comment since I first came across your site a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve struggled to put into words how reading about Layla and your family has affected my life.
Since sitting down and reading every post you’ve written I haven’t been able to get your precious Layla out of my mind. I think of her constantly and hope that in any given moment she has peace and comfort. I am a mother to 2 boys and my heart is breaking for you all.
Layla’s story has made me slow down and appreciate every second of the day I get with my boys, tantrums and tears along with all of the good bits. Thank you for sharing your beautiful girl with us, thank you for sharing your emotions, and for reminding us not to take a second for granted.
Wishing you love, peace and strength xox
Layla Grace I think of you constantly at the minute, I want to do all I can to help, the marsh family are in my heart xxx
Layla and your family are on my mind and in my prayers around the clock. Praying for peace.
Your story and Layla’s battle has changed my life forever. It makes me bite my tongue when I’m frustrated and want to just let loose on my active four year old. Or smiled when I have to get up at 2am to put a blanky back in the crib for my 15 month old daughter instead of curse. It has reminded me to fall to my knees daily and thank my Heavenly Father for His love and mercy. You’re right – Heavenly Father has used your little Layla Grace to bless the lives of so many people and soften hearts. She truly is an angel on an errand here on Earth and how blessed we are that you shared her with us through your story. I know families are forever. I know you will hold Layla Grace again after she has returned to her Heavenly Father. This life is but a small moment in our Eternal progression. And I know that she will hold you many times over the years to bring peace to your souls. Thank you for sharing your little Layla Grace.
It should not be like this. My heart, my thoughts, my prayers and my deepest sympathy for what you are going through- the unimaginable with your beautiful baby girl. May you find comfort in the love and support of friends, family and even us in Twitterland and may you continue to be strong for your family. Much love and especially to the gorgeous Layla Grace from Carole in England xxxxx
Still praying for you out here in SoCal.
I’ve blogged about you if you care to read my thoughts.
http://wp.me/pG7Wp-2L
Best wishes, and Huge hugs are sent your way daily!
Michael
I have been touched deeply by your story and that has brought me closer to my loved ones and I thank you deeply for that. I cry for you and with you as I read your posts and tweets. I know sometimes its tough and hard for us to understand “WHY” but its ok and just know that Beautiful Layla will be in a better place and let her know that it is ok to go and that she has made you your wife and her sisters very happy. My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family may god bless you all.
Much love to all of you, Layla will forever be in out hearts xx
Ryan Shanna and Layla
I continue to Pray to our Heavenly Father, I pray that the suffering end for all involved in this horrific ordeal. I pray for Peace and Serenity, I Pray, I Pray and I just continue to Pray.
My heart breaks for your Family, for your baby girl………I too have suffered a similar situation some many years ago and the pain never really goes away.
Layla Grace has had such an impact on mine and my families lives it’s mind blowing……my 5 year old son prays for her each and every night and it’s the most sweetest thing I’ve ever witnessed. My love to you all, and may God surround you all with the healing powers you all so desperately need.
Lisa M
Massachusetts
I do not know you, yet sweet baby I feel like you are part of our family. My 10 year old little girl and I keep up with your blogs and tweets throughout each day. It is almost 3am and i just finished feeding my 5month old little boy. I want to thank you all for bravely sharing your story. You have made so many people better parents. I don’t get upset when I’m awakened in the middle of the night when my little one thinks its time to play after feeding. I enjoy those times that he awakens me and wants to smile up at me. I cherish every moment with him and my daughter as if it were there last. We take for granted that we have forever with our kids. Appreciate them more each day. They were sent to us as blessings. Be grateful that we were given the oppurtunity to parents. Someone up there thinks we are all pretty special that he lets us borrow his angels even if its for a short time or even if its for our lifetime. Its extremely sad and heartbreaking that the short time sweet Layla has been so painful for her. But before this happened I’m sure she has had a wonderful time here. Its very hard to see any child go through this and we wonder how can god let this happen? There are so many bad people out in this world…why god? why this sweet angel? Exactly that…sweet angel. She was sent here with a purpose. Of course not knowing what when she was sent. She has suffered as Christ son has suffered. She will FOREVER be remembered in SO many hearts, she has changed SO many lives. I’m sure she has probably saved many a life out there that we don’t realize. We as parents to appreciate the gift we have been given as parents. We take for granted that our kids will be here tomorrow. We get upset over the small mistakes they make. Why? Because they spilled their drink on the floor, drew on the wall, leave their room a mess? I am happy that my baby wakes me in the middle of the night now. I check on him constantly when he is asleep and I love to sit and watch him sleep and listen to him breathe. I take the time to listen to my daughter when she talks to me and I love the hugs and kisses and cuddles she gives. I tell my children a hundred times a day that I love them. I can’t get Layla off my mind. When i spend time with my children I thank Layla every second of the day for making me a better mommy and making me appreciate why they are here. I wish I could just make her better and make all those bad owwies go away so she doesn’t have to suffer anymore. I can’t sleep tonite because she is on my mind and my heart breaks for her mommy and daddy and sister. I can not stop crying for that sweet soul and what she has endured. May her father come to take her home soon and end her suffering. She has done what she was sent here to do. She has brought so many families together this day and has shown us all that even in this cruel world….there are so many kind hearts out there and people really do care. I love you sweet baby girl and I hope your journey here ends peacefully. You will forever be remembered by so many whose hearts you have touched. <3
My heart breaks with you during this time and I pray that your sweet little angel will go in peace. I can not even begin to imagine what the pain feels like for you to see Layla in pain and dying. I pray that God will give you peace and comfort during this time. Thank you for sharing your story and letting us in on the hardest time in your life.
I’m sorry…i should have proofread what i wrote. I meant her sisters not sister when I said my heart breaks for her mommy and daddy and sisters. I know she has two big sisters so i am sorry for leaving one out. You all are such a brave and wonderul family. My prayers are with you constantly.
Someone in Texas is praying for you and your family.
Ever since my friend who goes to your church posted on Facebook about your family, I have been checking up on you many, many times a day. Layla is a gripping angel showing us how strong we can really be. And at least she will NOT be a forgotten child. Shes who I will think of forever more when Im down or lost or scared. If she can be so strong through all this, then surely we can be through our trivial issues.
sending you a thousand angels little princess xxx
“It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime,
So let me say before we part,
So much of me is made of what I learned from you,
You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart”
Sending angels from England xxx
My wife, 3 kids and I pray for her every night. God can change things in a blink of an eye. God bless your family and keep your eyes on the Lord. Best wishes.
Ryan,Jenny,Olivi,Wyann and Jackson.
Still praying for you all, God bless and may God be with you now more than ever.
Theadera and Family
Indianapolis, IN
I can’t even begin to imagine what your family is going through. But, know that you’ve touched hearts all over the world with your openness…and you have prayers coming to you from those.
You have a special one coming from me in Australia.
About 25 years ago, my precious niece, Barbra Ann Robinson, was struggling to live with invasive brain tumors. She was diagnosed at 3 years old and we were told that we would have her for 6 months. We prayed so many prayers and cried so many tears. So, I fully understand every word that you have said. The reason I am sharing this with you is that if there is anything you can get out of our story that will help you through this time, please, please use it. Prayers did work and we tried to keep her spirits always lifted. We had ice cream socials, and mini adventures to wonderful places. I think keeping her spirits lifted, and lots of prayer helped with her extra time. We were blessed to have Barbra until she was 7, so we had her lots longer than the doctors thought we would. To her mom and my own understanding she is still the pediatric patient with the most time alive with with her type of brain tumor. Because of this, she was able to talk with us and share thoughts that Layla may not be able to articulate at her ageeven though I understand she has an extensive vocabulary. One story I feel compelled to share is when I had started a bank account for her at the credit union, so that if there was anything she might want, and I wasn’t around, she could get the money out. Well she never mentioned the money in the bank until about 2 weeks prior to her death. Barbra called me up one day and asked if I could take her to the bank to get her money out, and if I could take her to the mall. I said of course, I’ll be there in an hour. So we went to the bank and then to the Woolworths at the mall. As you said, at this stage they are really not hungry, and she didn’t want to go to lunch. So I put her in the cart and asked her where in the store she wanted to go. She said I want to go to the candy section, so off we went. She bought bags and bags of candy. She had two sisters and a brother. Well, when we got home, she called them in one at a time and kind of said her good-byes and showered them with candy. She did this with the rest of the family and some close friends. I don’t think she ever ate a piece of candy. But the important thing here is she told them and me, that she was tired of chemo, and pokies (shots and IV’s) and surgeries and being sick. She explained that she was excited to be going to see Jesus, and that she was going to bounce on clouds and slide down rainbows and what a grand time she was going to have! She also explained that she couldn’t tell mommy these things, so wouldn’t I please tell mommy for her because it would make mommy too sad and she couldn’t stand to see mommy so sad. I assured her that I would, and we encouraged her mom just to love her and hold her, and talk to her, and sing to her, and that is what we did. On her last day we were all holding some part of her, as she rested on her mom’s lap. I had been reading and singing to her all day, as she kind of gurgled, as you said Layla is doing. Her Grandma said, she can’t hear you, you don’t have to keep singing and telling her stories. Well, later as the gurgling got worse, I told her to growl like a tiger, and she did with every ounce of strength she had. Her grandma said, Oh my God she can hear us, I am so sorry! So we continued thru the rest of the day telling stories,etc. I didn’t share that with you because I am saying something bad about grandma, because she really believed Barbra couldn’t hear me, and she is the most awesome Grandma in the world and I wouldn’t trade her for a million dollars! And in fair disclosure, I must admit that Barbra was one of the few people who liked my singing (I really don’t sing well, and I was probably driving grandma crazy) I only shared that with you because even when you think she is past the point of hearing you, keep talking and assuring her that you are there and say all the things you want to say! Hold your “cuddle monkey” and love her and I will be praying for all of you. The pictures are beautiful and I am so thankful you got them done, and I pray you get to take many more. I am praying for a miracle, and have absolute faith that God can grant you one, even as I face my own incurable cancer, He has shown me He can and does grant miracles by granting me the miracle of a spontaneous remission of 5 years, without treatment, before the cancer recurred. ( I am now receiving treatment) Keep in mind that I don’t ever think I prayed for a cure, but for more time with my little boy, because my husband already passed away 5 years ago, and having lost his father at 5, I knew he couldn’t stand to lose me so young ( I should have prayed for a cure I guess, but I just prayed my heart.) For Layla I am praying for a miracle cure and stand in faith with you. I also should share with you, that Barbra showed more wisdom than most adults I have ever met! I think maybe she didn’t have any more life lessons left to learn. I am so thankful that she touched my life and taught me so many life lessons. Layla is beautiful, and I am so sorry for the pain she has had to endure. Although I have only recently begun following her on twitter, I am thankful to have gotten to know your wonderful family, and I am here for you if there is anything I can do, and I mean it. I should also tell you that while I called Barbra my niece, she was my best friends child, but I was Aunt Sandee from beginning to end, so while, she technically she was not my niece, she is every bit my niece in both my heart and hers and her family. I just wanted to make sure that i didn’t say one word that wasn’t from my heart, and wasn’t a truth that might help you through this trying time. God bless you all.
I have been waking up in the middle of the nights with sweet Layla on my mind. I’ve prayed and prayed harder for your family and precious daughter. While Layla’s life here may soon be complete, her work will live on in my heart and in my family life. She has rejuvenated my spirit and my faith. Thank you for continuing to share this journey with us. I love you all as if you were my own family. Still praying for sweet baby, Layla.
My heart is breaking for you.. I also follow on twitter and my heart skips a beat everytime something is written.
Tanja
I hope you get the wish you all deserve! You are all such an inspiration you have certainly made me open my eyes! I have no words to express how I feel, but I think you are all truly amazing and I hope you all keep the strength you have to help your precious little layla. Thankyou for sharing your story as it has made me appreciate my children even more than I thought possible! I wish there was something I could do for you, my thoughts and love are with you all ! You have a piece of my heart!
I started following your twitter after it was mentioned by Dina Manzo. She is a Real Housewife if New Jersey, (a reality show). She has an organization the “Ladybug Foundation” for children with Cancer. With without that one twitter post I would have never know Layla Grace existed. That’s the way it is, you just happen upon a post and from there you either aren’t interested or you can never leave it alone. The later was my experience.
The ups and downs you are going through can never be measured by anything. You can tell us what’s happening with Layla that day, and we can only think to ourselves how unbearable this is. It’s one thing to lose a Parent (I’ve been through both) but you are never prepared for a child, that just seems unnatural. I check in every day, sometime even at 2 am or earlier to see your updates. I am always amazed when you post she is still hanging on. What a lonely road to go down, one that never tells you how many miles you need to go, before you reach the end. God never lets us know just how many miles. He just lets us travel and when the road ends we still wonder whether there was another road we should have taken.
Our own troubles seems so small compared to Layla’s journey.
In the days to come I know it will be harder for you, bur as you know by now, there are so many that are aware of the battle and are wishing that the outcome will be different.
Please know, I am sure you do that she is in hundreds of minds in thought and prayer.
My God bring your Peace and yes, Joy in these days.
Peace be with you.
You’re right, it’s okay to be angry with God, he’s got broad shoulders and he can take it.
Please know that your family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
My heart is breaking for you, your family, and sweet little Layla. No parent or child should have to endure this, yet through your willingmess to share the pain and tears with us, you’ve accomplished the unthinkable- uniting people from all corners of the Earth in prayer and compassion.
The sun is shining in London today. May it always shine upon you and your beautiful angel. Love to you all.
Just a note to say, how we have fell in love with baby Layla and her family.
All of you are in our prayers daily. I touch baby Layla’s picture and pray for her every day and pray for a miracle for her and her family.her name is in all my family and fiends hearts. Thow we have never met i feel like your part of our family.Please remember we are there with our arms ,prayers and love all around you all.Please kiss baby Layla for us and tell her how much she has touched our lives and how much we love her. We pray for Gods blessings upon all of you,giving you all our courage and strength and love<3
Praying for all of you and for G-d’s Peace. Please know that the timing of events in our lives are not an accident. The Sovereign Lord loves you and is in control.
Monday, March 1, 2010, is Shushan Purim.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Winter_Holidays/Purim/PurimIntro.pdf
The Shabbat that precedes Purim, is a special one.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/parashah.html
The Torah reading for Shabbat Zachor is Tetzaveh (to command) taken from Exodus 27-30
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Tetzaveh/tetzaveh.html
God WILL wipe out the name of Amalek from our generations forever. You will see your daughter soon. She will not come again unto you…You shall go to her.
Layla Grace is the first thing I think of when I wake in the morning, the last thing I think of when I go to sleep at night, and every thought, tear and prayer in between. I have never been touched so deeply and I don’t think I will ever forget her sweet face. I truly appreciate every moment I have with my little boys because Layla’s story reminds me to do so. Although none of us understands God’s plan (how can an innocent child’s illness and suffering be a plan?) I keep praying to him for a miracle, even if it is just meant to be a peaceful, painless transition into the next life. Thank you so much for sharing her and her story with the world.
May God bless you and your family and bring you a peace that is greater than any understanding.
your strength inspires, as of course, does Layla’s. Sending you all prayers and much much love.
Family,
I just want again to thank for sharing Layla’s journey. Not only are you helping other families know what to expect and how to cope believe it or not you’re helping the caregivers as well. I currently work in a hospital with children with cancer and many nights I go home totally drained emotionally watching the children suffer through this disease. Your strength has given me strength and even when i am going through my own problems I check the updates of Layla throughout the day and it makes my ordeal seem very minute! Thank you so much for allowing the world to take part in little Layla’s journey. And to all the follows please even after Layla get her wings continue to support her family and lift them up in prayer because that will be the time when they need u most!
Love n Prayers
LaTisha
Dear Layla,
God bless you too. He already has with such wonderful parents and sisters- what great big hearts hey? Layla, I just wanted to tell you something- you (yes you!) made me decide on something that’s taken over 17 years – to go back to church- to try my hardest to let God back in to my heart.
Thankyou Layla. Can you say hello to Him with your clear proper voice when you get there from me. Have a little wiggly dance and sing a song really loud so we can all hear.
If you could look in the right kind of mirror I think you’d see what all the trouble is- your wings are growing already. They’re supposed to wait til you’re there- but yours are coming a bit early.
It hurts to become immortal and for you to get ready to have all that love that you’ll find in Heaven- we’re all sorry that it hurts leaving this life- but we’re very proud of you.
When we follow you- which we will one day- you’ll probably be overwhelmed by how many of us want to meet you- you’ll be the busiest little girl around I think.
Lots of love from the other side of the world,
A xxx
(p.s I’m sure your doctors have tried but hydromorphone and fentayl may be more tollerable.)
I hope I can grow with God and be half the Believer that you and your family are.
My prayers are with you all the time.
Tammy Gibbons
And God bless all of YOU. I’m humbled to be praying for your precious angel.
Ever since I found out about sweet Layla and your family, you are all the first thing on my mind as I wake each morning. I am praying for you all, and praying for peace for your sweet baby girl. She will surely be the most beautiful angel in heaven. God Bless and peace to you all.
Nicole Gentilini
Hello,
I’m praying for you and your family , and wish there was an easier way to control Layla’s pain. It’s only available in IV form, but has nubain (nalbuphine) been considered? It’s not associated with itching the way morphine and dilaudid are. It’s not as potent, but may give her some peace from the itching.
Thank you for sharing her story with us. She is a beautiful, unforgettable little girl
Crying with and praying for you. Layla is a beautiful child. I feel blessed to be able to read about such a strong little lady. God bless you and your family.
Prayers are being lifted for you from Australia! May Layla be surrounded by angels and may your family find peace.
Thank you for sharing your story.
I could not go to sleep last night after reading this blog. I know we don’t know each other, but I feel like we do. Thank you for continuing to update the blogs & Twitter. Layla is all I think about from the time I wake to the time I fall asleep at night. I have three children also. I can’t even begin to imagine what you all have endured in these last 10 months. I continue to pray for sweet Layla to have peace & comfort, along with you, Shanna, & the girls. Thanks to Layla & your family for helping me realize how precious life is. Take care.
Love,
Libby
Layla is a very special little girl!!!! She has touched so many hearts, including mine. She is stronger than you or I could ever imagine being, even in our greatest fantasies. Ill keep praying for Layla, and your whole family. GO LAYLA GO!!!!!
by the way- how are claire and Jenna?
I am so sorry. I have been here, though my little girl wasn’t allergic to morphine. My heart goes out to you and Layla. I remember making the decision to stop fluids and food, very painful, but she was definately more comfortable afterwards. I hope she passes gently. I am so sorry.
xx
After reading your families story I could not get it out of my mind. My heart breaks for you all, and I truely pray that God is listening to all these supporters of your family and answers all their prayers.. Layla is an ANGEL.. And honestly will never leave my mind.
God be with this family, and keep them in your arms to bring this family comfort in this hard time, and mostly bring them peace, peace of soul, peace of body, and peace from pain. -Amen
You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless you All, I went through this with my mom 2 yrs ago. I pray that you can feel the prayers being sent to all of you.
Prayers from Oklahoma
we continue to pray for you and for Layla and send all of our thoughts and love and comfort your way. We are praying for a miracle!
Erica in Illinois
This is so heartbreaking…I’ve left a blog post to please pray. My heart goes out to you and sweet baby Layla.
My heart cries for your family and Little Layla. I pray for peace and strenth for all of you as you say goodbye to your beautiful little girl. No parent should ever have to go through what your going through and I’m so sorry this is happening. I know the angels are singing and Jesus is waiting at the gates of Heaven to welcome Layla into His kingdom. Amazing things await her there and someday you will live forever with her. I’m so thankful this is only a temporary goodbye for you. Although I never got to meet Miss Layla here on Earth, I will someday get to meet her in Heaven, such an amazing thought. Sending my love to you from Michigan.
I’m choked up, I’m crying, I’m praying. For your little girl. Ever since I first found your blog 4 days ago, I have been thinking about Layla. I have a daughter not much younger, and one not much older. I can’t imagine. Praying for all of you.
We are praying day and night for peace for your beautiful angel and the rest of your family. We do nightly prayers with our 4 year old son and have made sure that he includes her in his prayers. He has asked me several times over the past couple weeks if his prayers for “his little angel” are working.
God Bless. I’m praying for Layla Grace and her peace and comfort and for your family to keep strong
My heart goes out to you and your family. I wanted to tell you when my dad was in that same stage we fed him the coke syrup (without the carbonation that restaurants have) with a spoon. He could keep it down and the sugar gave him some strength. Maybe it would help your precious baby.
I pray for Layla’s peace, and your strength that you are able to endure. Your entire family has been through so much. I appreciate your honesty about how this has been such a trial for you. I am sorry you are going through this. I pray, pray, pray peace returns soon, for the good of all.
God Bless You, Layla!!
I don’t know you but heard about your daughters courageous fight from a friend. My prayers and thoughts go out to you and sweet Layla Grace, I pray mostly that she finds peace either here on earth or in heaven, which ever God has planned for her.
I am continuing to pray for peace for Layla and for all of you. God bless you.
Praying, Praying, Praying for all of you. I’m so sorry this is something you have to go through. Layla has touched the hearts of my entire family, she’s brought us closer and made us cherish the little moments we spend together. You all are in my thoughts in prayers!
There are no words. I just want you to know that I hold you all deep in my thoughts. I want to yell at God for you. Please don’t let your sweet little girl suffer. If the time is right can’t he just come and get her???
I pray you have the strength you need during this horrible horrible time. And I pray peace for the sweetest little girl who has touched more people then you will ever know.
My heart goes out to you and Sweet Layla Grace. Layla has inspired me so much and I will never stop praying for you and Layla Grace. God bless you all!
WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR SWEET LAYLA SINCE WE FOUND OUT OF HER ILLNESS OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH HER AND YOUR FAMILY. SHE HAS TOUCH MY HEART AND YOUR WORDS MAKES ME REALIZE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY CHILDREN AND ENJOY EVERY MIN SHE WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY PRAYERS SWEET LAYLA YOUR PRECIOUS CHILD, GOD BLESS HER AND IN TEARS I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU WILL BE FOREVER IN MY PRAYERS GOD BLESS
Like so many others- Layla has been in my thoughts & prayers each day. She has changed so many people- to help them remember what is important in life, and helped many parents to be more patient with their children, and not get upset about the little things. I have 4 children, and our youngest is 17 mos, and not a good sleeper – but instead of getting frustrated, we know that these are precious times!
We lost my Grandma several years ago to ALS , and it was so hard to watch her suffer, but finally she went peacefully. A child is not even close to the same heartache- it is hard to lose a loved one no matter what their age- but when they are as young and sweet as Layla- it really does not make sense to us!
I am praying for peace and comfort for sweet little Layla and your whole family! So many people are thinking of all of you each day!
Your story has inspired me to try and do more for people, especially families with cancer!
I have just, in the past couple of days, learned about Layla Grace and her remarkable family. I am so sorry that you have to experience this. My heart is breaking for all of you.
I completely agree with your beliefs on what Layla’s future will be…one day, when God decides it is time, she will be without pain…in a perfect body with a peaceful mind again…dancing, singing, smiling….
God bless you all. ~~Hugs~~
May God Bless you and your family during this difficult time.
I can’t help but believe that with each breath that Layla takes the Lord is using that time to put his perfect plan in place. I’ve been following and praying for Layla for about 9 months and the growth of her prayer warriors over the past 2 weeks is amazing. The people that have been reached in the last 14 days; their lives touched, many changed for ETERNITY, makes me proud to be her sister in Christ.
She is a true warrior for the Kingdom.
“Well done good and faithful servant”!
Praying for the Marsh family!
Jamey, Brian, Mackenzie and Lauren Grace
in New Braunfels
1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
Psalms 30
He hears your cries and holds every tear in his hand. Lord, I pray for you to wrap your loving arms around this family and that they feel it. You hold their hearts in your hands and your hands are gentle. Thank you for your goodness and mercies. Thank you for Layla and how she has touched the lives of so many. We lift up this burden to you. Thank you for hearing us.
My prayers are with you for peace for Layla
Sending hugs of understanding. My son died from NB and it was like you describe. It was not from the movies, it was not peaceful. That is hard for me to reconcile but I have to believe that in heaven as all tears are wiped away so are all memories of pain and suffering. I am so sorry for the current suffering and I hope peace comes in one form or another before too long.
Please know that we pray for peace and comfort many times daily, Layla and her story have touched the lives of my family and so many others that I have shared this with. It is so hard when what we want is not always the same as what God wants. Thank you for sharing with us during this difficult time allowing us to become closer with our own families as well as God
I pray for Layla EVERYDAY…and harder than I ever prayed for anything in my life. I have a son very close in age to Layla, and following Layla’s journey has made me a better mom and better person. I will NEVER forget Layla or her family.
She has taught me to cherish every breathe, moment, and second with my son and my loved ones. I no longer mind that it takes 45 minutes to unload the dishwasher b/c my son HAS to help. Parenthood is hard, but a gift and one that I will NEVER take for granted.
So thank you Layla and Marsh family. You have paid the ultimate price, but have changed the lives of so many. Layla will be in the hearts of the world forever!! I will continue to pray for peace and healing for Layla and her family. God Bless and thank you for continuing to share your story!! <3
I wanted to send all my loving thoughts and prayers to your family. You have been so amazingly strong, when most of us would have crumbled to pieces. Through reading your blog, it’s obvious what a special and strong little girl Layla is and what an inspiration she has become to so many thousands of people. May God cherish and hold her soon in comfort and may he carry you through the days and weeks ahead.
Most sincerely,
A. Forry
I know that it must seem like small comfort to read everyone’s comments that Layla has inspired them to appreciate their own children more– when, of course, Layla was YOUR miracle first, not ours. But thank you for sharing her with all of us– we love little Layla and are praying for her at every moment of the day. My heart is breaking for you, Marsh family. And Layla is always on my mind & in my heart.
I admire your faith and strength…praying for you all every single day…Mallika’s post on Huffington Post is worded very well. You all have made me realize how precious life really is. Thank you to your family for sharing your journey with me and everyone else…
God bless you all and still lifting you all up in my prayer. Peace for Precious Baby Layla.
I’ve been praying for your family since I found out about Layla. No family or child should have to go through this. Thank you so much for sharing your story and helping us realize how precious every moment is — and for bringing awareness to a disease I had never heard of. I will continue to pray for your family.
They say God doesn’t give us more then we can handle. I truly believed this until I read your last post. What gives? You said it perfectly, “Not like this”. Please take comfort in knowing your little girl will soon be an angel looking down upon you. Pain free. God love all of you. My thoughts are with you and your family during this very tragic time. God Bless.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us. It’s easy to glide through life unaware and untouched by the pain and anguish others endure; your story has reminded me that such profound suffering, sometimes without reason, exists on this earth. Thoughts for peace in the hearts of your family fill me with every update you share about Layla. Your strength and endurance teach us all to appreciate, pray, hope, and to not take anything for granted in this beautiful life. Best to all of you.
My heartbreaks for you. What a miracle you have in Layla. I know her smile and her love will live in your hearts forever and ever. Your faith is an inspiration to so many, including myself. I sit her typing in tears because I cannot even imagine your pain as a parent, watching your child struggle. I am sending up prayers for your little one, that God will take away her pain, and bring her some peace. Bless your family.
We are praying for your family and Layla. We pray God continues to give you the strength and peace you need. Your story does inspire and call attention to what is truly important in life. Thank you for sharing your daughter with us. Our prayers will continue…
Sweet Sweet Layla and Family,
I have only been following your story for a short time, and am more than amazed at how many lives you have touched. In your two short years, you have taught many of us a lifetime of lessons on how to be more caring individuals, as well as better parents. I promise you that my children, as they grow, will know your story, and be thankful to you for giving them a better mommy. My only regret is that so many of us had to learn these lessons through your pain. Wishing you all peace in the days to come.
Amy
I pray Layla finds peace soon.
And you don’t need to be made of steel. Cry, scream, yell and laugh, love and smile. Let the emotions take you through this journey and rely on those around you to be the steel that holds you up.
I only started following Layla Grace’s story a month or two ago and having a daughter of roughly the same age, your story has touched me so deeply. I’m sitting in my house in Scotland right now and I’m absolutely devastated for your family, for the suffering that Layla is experiencing and yet so very proud of your unwavering faith in God.
You are at the forefront of my prayers and thoughts and I wish I could convey just how much my heart is breaking for you all. Much, much love to you xx
I cry with you as I read these posts! I pray to God for all of you to find Peace and for Layla’s comfort. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Jo Anne
Like another commenter, I somehow hoped and prayed that Layla would miraculously wake up after a long sleep and ask for a bowl of cereal. I wanted the prayers everyone has been sending to work to heal her broken body. But your blog about not giving her food or IV fluids makes sense though. Her little body is shutting down and preparing to walk with Jesus. It appears there is no turning back now, and that is the most gut wrenching thing about this whole process.
Please know how loved your family is and how much people have been truly blessed by hearing about Layla’s journey. I wish I could have met her. I hope someday you are able to take comfort in knowing how many people she helped bring closer to God, their families, especially their own children, and their friends. She has made people see the beautiful in the ordinary, made people live in the now and not off in the distant future, and made people aware that there is love, beauty, and grace in suffering.
She is perfect and pure, now and forever.
God bless you,
Jennifer in Dallas
Our 2 yr old son was sent home to die by the Mayo Clinic with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. They gave him 4 months to live. We had doctors insert a G-tube and started feeding him fresh organic juices and vitamins to turbo-boost his immune system. It worked! He is now cancer free and has been for years. It’s never too late. If we can help in anyway please let us know. We have been praying.
You are truly amazing, dad. Layla is such an amazing young tool of God, and you and Shanna are amazing tools too. I lost my baby in 93 and it took years to find the good in the bad. You already have found that, although it does not make it easy or ok.
Know that God is hearing you, whether you whisper or yell, and that there are hundreds of thousands praying with you.
I pray for a miracle still today, but also peace for Layla and for your family.
Blessings,
Lisa TX
I can’t even imagine the pain your family is going through right now. PRAYING for Layla Grace, and you all. Your faith in all of this is amazing. God Bless You!
my prayers are with you – words cannot adequately express the sadness that fills my heart when i read what layla grace is going through (what a beautiful name). she is beautiful! she has inspired so many!! i pray that peace and strength surrounds your family. love and hugs to sweet little ms. layla!
Its ok to tell her she can go up to Jesus. My prayers are with her that she finds peace and calmness.
I just found out about your precious little girl and this website the middle of last week, and since then, I have not been able to get her or your family out of my mind. I can’t even imagine what you must be going through. The courage and strength your family has shown is so inspiring. Please know that even people as far away as Nashville, TN are praying for your family and precious little Layla Grace. She is a beautiful little girl. I’m praying that God grants your family a Miracle and brings little Layla back to you.
God Bless Layla & the entire Marsh Family.
-Cheryl
God Bless you precious Layla Grace. I know you have touched so many lives. I pray for your peace and comfort. I will never forget you! Peace and love from New York.
My heart is just broken for you precious family. I am praying that the Lord will give you sweet comfort and wrap you in His mighty arms. Layla Grace is so sweet – I pray she will be comforted by King Jesus. There are just no words… I am praying.
Loving you and prayer for peace and comfort during this unimaginable grief, praying God to continue to give you strength though sometime you feel like you have no more, you reach deep and are able to do so. I felt this scripture fit well with your current posting and wanted to share.
2 Corninthians 4:7-12, 16-18
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
All my prayers are going up for Layla Grace to find peace. God Bless you and your family. Heartfelt hugs and prayers to you.
I just found out about your sweet Layla today via twitter. There are no words. As a mother, I am just so so sorry. I can’t fathom your heartache. The only thing I can pray is that God will be sufficient to you in your time of need. And as much as you don’t want to let Layla go and you want to hold onto her – that He will take her swiftly so she won’t suffer anymore.
Again – I am so deeply sorry.
Layla has reached Birmingham Alabama, where everyone I know has heard and are praying. I put in a request for prayer yesterday at my church. I have not been able to get Layla out of my mind or heart. She has now found a home there. Praying hard for peace and comfort!
Just read ‘Not Like This’. oh how my heart aches for all of you. I prayed last night after reading your words that Layla would enter into a peaceful place to bring an end to any pain she may be feeling. What a beautiful angel she is.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3(NIV)
Oh how my heart aches for you. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May God give you the continued strength to endure this. Layla sweetie we are all praying for you. You have touched so many. God Bless you sweetheart.
The Brave Little Soul
By: John Alessi
Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He approached God and sadly asked, “Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?” God paused for a moment and replied, “Little soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people’s hearts.” The little soul was confused. “What do you mean,” he asked. God replied, “Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone.” The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued, “The suffering soul unlocks the love in people’s hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this – it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer – to unlock this love – to create this miracle for the good of all humanity.”
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied. “I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people’s hearts! I want to create that miracle!” God smiled and said, “You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you”. God and the brave soul shared a smile, and then embraced.
In parting, God said, “Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed.” Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through his suffering and God’s strength, he unlocked the goodness and love in people’s hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys, some regained lost faith – many came back to God. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.
I only found out about Layla Grace a few days ago on Facebook. Then went to Twitter, then here. I have been crying so much and she’s not even mine. I can’t even comprehend the pain your family is feeling. I hug my boys so much normally, but it’s been a lot more lately. I have been praying for a calm and peaceful passing for Layla Grace, even more now that ‘ve read how she’s suffering these last few days. I will continue to pray for her and for your whole family. God bless you all.
My heart aches for you and is breaking into a million pieces. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are experiencing, what Layla is experiencing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
We learned of your beautiful daughter through another another family’s website and we just wanted you to know that we are praying for Layla and your whole family.
We can’t even imagine what you are going through. Please know that you have many prayer warriors out here.
Praying for strength, peace and comfort,
The Morris Family
Thank you for sharing your journey. Thank you for reminding me to love unconditionally. Thank you for teaching me to be a mom with more patience and to focus on the good and not the selfish ways many moms have. House cleaning, dishes, chores, chatting on the phone can all wait. The time to enjoy your young ones is NOW! I pray that you will use your story to teach others about NB and help others out there who are going through this same ordeal. God had a purpose for your family, and I believe it was to make people aware of this disease and to cherish the moments you have with your children.
Jennifer
Humble, TX
I have not been following long but Layla has been in my thoughts and prayers constantly since I started following your blog. I pray for peace and comfort for all of you.
This is the first I have read of your story. A friend shared it via Facebook. My eyes weep for you and my heart is torn apart for you. I have 2 girls and another child on the way. Can’t even begin to fathom what you are going through.
My mom died after a very long battle with cervical cancer last year. She was given 6 months and lived 15. I so wish she had only lived the 6.. Which sounds rather selfish. But the last 6 months or so were miserable for everyone. The person that was left was not my mom, but some other being that I couldn’t recognize. It hurt when she passed but at least we knew her pain was over..
I am praying for you my friend..
Scott
Dear Marsh Family,
I have been following your story for awhile. I have never in my life felt such love for a family that I din’t even know. I have like others been forever changed by your story. My mom went through cancer, and we didn’t think she was going to make it. Praise god she did, and a friend came to know the Lord because of it. I have said many times that friends eternal life was so much more important than any trials we had to go through with my mom. That’s a strange thing to say, because it’s my mom, and I never wanted her to go through what she went through, but that is a sacrifice I know we would all make again just to know it changed someone’s eternity. I have pleaded with God asking why this has to happen to such an innocent child. All I seem to get is that he is with you, and he understands. He showed me that he knows what your going through, because he sacrificed his own son that we may have life everlasting. I know that nothing can ever be said to ease your pain at this time, and I can’t say that I know what your going through, because I don’t. I can say that God does, and he has a plan, and you guys are making the ultimate sacrifice, and he sees that. There are thousands of lives being changed by your little angel. She is special. and I think you have only just begun to see what a difference she has made for her heavenly father. Though you may suffer through the night joy comes in the morning. God is going to bless you all for your faithfulness. I don’t know if he plans on healing her here, or in heaven, but I do know that thousands of people have a brighter eternity because of this situation. Until then find comfort in the fact that you have thousands lifting up your family. Job 16:20-21 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.
You are loved!!!!
I am praying for you all. I hold Layla in my heart. Words seem useless right now, still crying out to God for all of you.
please know we’ve been praying for you. I have three children, one little girl Layla’s age…and this just absolutely breaks my heart for you. Praying hard, for many things. I just simply can’t imagine.
Crying with you this morning….longing for the place where there is no more pain. Sweet Layla, I hope you can feel Jesus’ arms wrapped around you. I bet you can. May the peace that passes understanding be with you all. You are being carried in the hearts of many.
I prayed for you this morning, for your peace, especially during the quiet times to come. I pray God’s presence in your life, and I praise Him for bringing so many people to your site and your struggle. Not only an increased awareness of NB, but an increased awareness of what it means to praise God in the storm. I thank God for people like Ryan Seacrest and Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, who bring awareness to your plight – God can use anyone for His purposes! I hope those with questions will read your testimony, to learn of your unflagging faithfulness in the midst of uncertainty and pain. I look forward to meeting you and Layla one day in Heaven as your sister in Christ.
In Mississippi, we are praying for your family constantly. Praying for comfort and peace to surround you.
Prayers and hugs coming your way from Paris, France. Please know that Layla is in our thoughts and prayers every day and she has reminded us to not take for granted life, our kids and all the moments good and bad.
My heart breaks for your family but know that Layla is an inspiration to so many.
Just found out about you and am sobbing as I read about what you have been going through. My heart is breaking for you. I pray (first of all) for a miracle for Layla Grace. But if that miracle is not going to happen, I pray for her to have peace and not experience any more pain. I have a 2 year old son and just can’t imagine having to watch him waste away like you have had to do with Layla Grace. May God give all of you some peace and healing. You are on my mind and in my prayers.
we have been praying for you all and your sweet Layla Grace. we don’t know always know why God does what he does, but He has purpose, He has reason and He always has out best interest at heart. It may be hard to see that right now.
Give your little girl lots of love, grace and happiness for her life on this earth. There is so much more to come for her when she is in Heaven with no pain at all. Free to run and play without pain. Keep that in mind.
Love to your family from ours. We may not know each other personally, but you are in our hearts, you are in the hearts of thousands of people right now.
The Burt’s (louisville, ky)
The Lord is so incredibly good and gracious. As I was praying for your family and two others in similar situations, I believe He shared an encouraging word for you and the 2 other families that He wanted me to pass on….so here it is:
“Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
I am making all things new. Rise up weary one! Keep your focus on My face. Allow your faith to rise up from deep within. Stand on My Word and My Promises. Seek Me and find Me~you will not be disappointed. Allow Me to take your heaviness and put on the garment of praise. Give Me your mourning, and I will give you joy. I hear every prayer and I see and hold eery tear. Look for Me in each and every day. When circumstances are screaming~look for Me~for surely I am right there. Oh precious ones, feel Me holding you and embracing you. For surely I am for you and not against you. Rise up, My children, and look for Me in ALL situations~for I am RIGHT there with you. Oh how much I love you~may the love burn deep within your hearts.”
Then, as I was opening my e-mail to come share this with you, I received an e-mail from a prophetic ministry that I couldn’t help but share as well. So, here it is:
Spirit of Prophecy Bulletin
THE TRUMPET by Bill Burns — March 1, 2010:
Rise up on wings of eagles. Soar upon the wind of My spirit and view things from high and lofty places that are above this earth. Come and be renewed in strength; come and be healed and refreshed, says the Lord. Be encouraged for I tell you that surely, surely, the words that I have spoken are for you individually and corporately. So come and partake of the fruit that is being given; come with faith to receive that which I am doing. Wait no longer, says the Lord, but let today be the day to let the living waters flow and the wind of the Spirit move you into the fullness of My purposes for you. So once again, I say come and be healed, refreshed and renewed. Come, and I shall do the work I have spoken of.
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns — March 1, 2010:
Look forward to finding solutions to problems that have been difficult for some time. I will give you the guidance, direction and favor that you need for breakthrough. Cheer up and take courage; relief is on the way. And, you will rejoice.
Psalms 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
May these words from the Lord encourage you THIS day! May you know how deeply you are truly loved! ❤
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. With love, Dara Young (COLE’s Prayer Team)
http://www.colesfoundation.com
I am continually amazed at how God is touching soo many lives through Layla!!! I am so thankful you have been willing to share her story.
I am praying for your precious Layla Grace today and all of your family.
Love ya!!
C.O.L.E.’s Foundation
(Caring Openly, Loving Eternally)
http://www.colesfoundation.com
Email: sandy@colesfoundation.com
24/7 Prayer Line 888-365-COLE (2653)
Sandy Daron
Layla is a beautiful gift and I too am amazed by how many she has touched. I cry with you and I pray for peace and comfort for all of you.
I have just started fallowing your blog when it was sent to me by a friend. However, I can not get your story out of my head now. I am a christian women and do not know if I can be as strong as you and your family. What a testimony you are! The tears flow down my face every time I read this and every time I pray for her. You are in my thoughts and prayers and The Lord is using you all in so many many ways!!!
From El Salvador, Central America, Layla and you are in my prayers. God bless you.
I have been thinking and praying for all of you non-stop!! Layla has captured my heart and the hearts of so many. I pray for peace and for comfort and for complete healing with Jesus Christ. He loves her so much.
God bless you during this very difficult journey. You are all cared for deeply.
I have been following your story and praying for your family! I will continue to pray for peace that only Christ can bring!
Ah, my heart is breaking! Sweet Layla…I think it is time to fly away to Jesus! I wish it weren’t so…but it’s okay to let go. Fly free little girl, fly free!
Love and prayers!!!
Nancy in CT (blessed mama to ShaoXi, adopted from Hunan China on Nov. 26, 1997, age 14 months)
Praying and sending you lots of love from Michigan! May the Lord hold you and your family, esp. Layla, in His arms and be your hope, strength, comfort and peace!
Praying for Layla and for your family. I think about Layla everyday and hope for a miracle and comfort.
We are praying for your family.
I just learned of Layla and want you to know i too will be praying for her and your family. I soo wish Layla did not have to go through this as well as all of you. I have a daughter 17months old (and 2 other kids) and i just could not imagine. And you really opened my eyes to all the countless blessings i should not take for granted. Sometimes i wish that “she” would take a nap early so i could get some work done.. but now i realize i TOO must enjoy every moment as it could be taken from me. God bless you and your family and i will continue to pray for your sweet Layla.. I hope for peace and no pain. Peace for your family. We are all thinking of you.
I first read this blog the other night. And I cried. I questioned God, I prayed, wishing I had known about her earlier so I could have been praying for you all earlier on— I looked at your family pictures and my heart was aching for you, as I could literally put myself into your shoes and was feeling all of your pain.
There are absolutely no words that can bring you peace right now-at least none that I could say-although I wish there was-I wish I was that smart or relevant.
God brings the peace that others cannot-we cannot. So my prayers are turning into “bring comfort to this family-and mainly to your angel, Layla Grace-bring her out of her pain and bring her comfort and peace”
Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with all of us.
As I look at my children-esp my baby girl with whom I was on bed rest and the hospital the majority of that pregnancy-I realize how much we let every day things get in the way of living. of being. of enjoying and embracing. Your Layla Grace has given me perspective. God Bless ll of you but especially sweet Layla Grace.
Namaste
Love in Him
Gina Lee
Thank you
Praying for peace for all of you. Let our Father hold you and Layla in his loving arms.
I stumbled upon a post by our mutual friend, Jennifer Carlew. I was immediately draw to stop all my nonesense reading that goes on Facebook everyday to read yall story in full. I had to put the phone down many times to cry, outloud and hard, my heart was breaking and felt so heavy in my chest for a family and a beautiful little Layla ive never met. You have changed me, little Layla and God, u have changed me. My friends and family are now praying for all of you since I’ve reposted your story and beautiful pictures. Life and every day is so precious, may the Lord heal her, either her body or her soul, please just make her happy Lord. God Bless you Marsh family, you have touched many lives with your unthinkable situation. My little 3 year old is praying for Layla Grace everynight at bedtime.
The Garnetts in Deer Park, TX
Dear Layla Grace family…. Want you all to know that layla has stolen all of our hearts from the beginning. She is so prayed for here at Living Proof Ministries. Our hearts are broken for you, and we continue to lift you all up daily. We pray peace, peace, peace for her and you all. She is Beautiful, thank you for allowing us to journey with you in this, we have all been touched deeply and she holds a sweet place with us and always will. May God continue to give you His grace and mercy daily in lavish portions. The Village Sisters…LPM
I’ve been praying for Layla and your family constantly. I pray for peace and comfort for everyone. She’s truly amazing and an inspiration to so many. And mom and dad, I admire your strength and enduring faith. Layla, as well as the rest of your family always have a very special place in my heart! God Bless you all!
i just read your blog after a friend had it posted on facebook.
you and your beautiful little girl and your wife are now in my prayers. i will pray for peace for layla grace and for her comfort at this devastating time.
I am praying this morning as I have every morning since I read your story. I am praying for peace and comfort for sweet Layla. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Praying through tears that Layla and the entire family may find peace.
I’m so sorry Layla is worse! I woke up thinking about her. I couldn’t get my laptop booted up quickly enough to check on her. I found myself holding my breath and bracing for the news. I discovered your blog last week and have prayed multiple times throughout each day and night for her. If nothing else at all, Layla has led many people to talk with God more often! I’m a mother to three boys aged 18 to 8. They now know about Layla alongwith my husband and have asked me at times how Layla is doing. They love her pictures! She’s literally the most beautiful baby girl I’ve ever seen! Stunning, really! You did well!
Although her suffering makes me want to scream at the unfairness of it, I think that Layla is a little warrior sent here for a specific purpose that she has fulfilled. I have come to believe in my spiritual walk that our children are really God’s children and are here on loan to us. As a parent, it took me a while to get over this. I think that God matches them up to who they fit the best with. Layla fit your family the best and now it might be time to return her to Him. I know that it hurts beyond belief, but soon I believe that she’ll be walking through those pearly gates holding Jesus’ hand and she’ll be giggling and skipping and smiling and there will be much rejoicing as that beautiful, healthy little soul joins everyone. I think there will be singing throughout the heavens and the Grandmas like mine, who loved babies and died a few years ago, will all be trying to hold her and rock her and read her stories. Layla’s going to be so happy and whole. She’s not going to remember anything unpleasant. You keep that picture of her being well and welcomed into heaven. Her place is prepared there and everyone there is excited for her. Please keep your faith because she’ll be wanting to meet you at that gate someday.
I also want to add that I appreciate your family sharing a piece of your lives and Layla’s story. No matter what happens please continute to share because we’re going to want to know how you’re doing. Layla will go on perhaps as an ambassador in some way for Neuroblastoma. Because of the battle she has fought, she may help someone else live. She has made her family stronger! She is awesome and a very strong warrior! I am inspired by her! Hugs and kisses to you Layla!
Layla has been on my mind constantly since I first read about her story a week ago. So many hundreds of thousands of people all over the world are lifting Layla and your family up in their prayers and thoughts. I hope that you feel the love that is being sent your way, that somehow you can be touched by the outpouring of emotion and good thoughts that everyone is sending to your family and to precious Layla. None of this is in vain. There is a higher purpose for everything that is happening right now even though it may not be easily realized at this point. My prayer is that Layla will have peace and that your family will find the love and support it needs during this difficult time.
Praying for sweet Layla Grace and your family. Thank you for making me appreciate my husband and sons all the more. Each day is precious.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers every minute of every day. My heartaches for the pain that sweet little Layla is enduring right now. I pray for peace and comfort for you all in the minutes and days to come. Stay strong and remembe that it is ok to cry. You and your husband are truely remarkable people.
My heart is breaking for you. I wish there was something I could do to take Layla’s pain away and your pain away as well. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child and watching them leave this world. Please please know that I am thinking of you. Layla is already an angel to so many people.
Wow! I do not have the words to say, or comfort. I pray that God stays close to you all and comforts you with his hugs every second! I hope knowing that you have the prayers of so many and the power and comfort of God brings you a little peace. You are loved.
My heart and prayers are with your family. God does bring the good. I wake up thinking of your family and go to bed praying for you. I pray His peace be with her little mind and body.
My husband and I are covering your sweet family in prayers every day, thank you for sharing your precious daughter and her incredible story of strength, courage and bravery with us. We will continue to pray peace over you and precious Layla.
You are all in my thoughts & prayers. I saw your previous post too – what an amazing gift that God allowed everything to fall into place for your family to have those beautiful family pictures. May God wrap His loving arms around all of you, ease Layla’s pain, give you the strength you need for each moment and most of all, His peace. God bless you!
C.O.L.E. (Caring Openly, Loving Eternally) Prayer Team
http://www.colesfoundation.com
Your story has touched my heart and has made me realize that I should cherish every single second I have with my children. May you find peace in God’s arms. I’m praying for you, your wife, Layla and your other two daughters. Many people here in Pennsylvania with me are praying too! Thank you for taking the time to post!
Dear family, I am keeping each one of you in my prayers and asking God to bless each of you and help you endure this very painful time for your family. Especially, my prayers are for Layla Grace..that this precious child has a peacefull passing and that she will be surrounded by her family. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that all of you have been going through. May God hold each of you in the palm of his hands and give you the faith and strength you need to get through these difficult days and the days ahead.
I am praying for you..God bless you.
Jody
My hearts breaks for you. All my family is praying for you daily. No words can ease your pain but know that we care.
I’m listening to Shanna online with Ryan. I am in awe of you all and so proud of Layla. You all are on my mind constantly. Love from Austin Texas.
I am so very sorry…All of this is wrong!! I lost my son Charles Nov. 22,2009 he battles Medulloblastoma-pediatric brain cancer for 4.5 years..And what you are going through right now is a nightmare I lived it and don’t wish it on anyone. And I feel your pain your sorrow and when you keep up the blog and how she is doing what you are doing is keeping her spirit alive and it helps you cope,because your pain is unbearable..It has been 3 months since we lost charles and the loss is awful…
So you keep up with all the love and she knows you will be ok…try to find some peace in all of this…I will pray for you all…
Sharon Gilmartin
Your family is never far from my thoughts, and ALWAYS in my prayers.
I have read your post for the first time today. My Daddy died from leukemia when I was ten,and I cannot fathom what you are living through these months…these days…hours…minutes….seconds. Every single one is a miracle for your sweet Layla and US! Please know how much every single second of her life and this journey at the end of her life has meant to me and the nearly 30,000 faithful followers. That number on twitter seems completely unreal. I hope, that when the time comes, you both feel held in the palm of God’s hand. I am so, so sorry this has happened to your precious family. Try to take a deep breath…my prayers are with you and sweet Layla. Good bless you. -Denise (Alabama)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Just listened to you online with Ryan Seacrest! You were so wonderful and gracious and I truly hope that more people will go to your sites to pray for Layla after they listened to you! Praying for you always!!
We’re continually praying for your strength and God’s mercy.
Your interview was wonderful – I can’t imagine how hard it was to get through that. You were AMAZING. Blessings to you – you are in my prayers constantly today. Much love from Dallas from the Lynch family.
I heard my pastor tell a story one Sunday about a little boy who lost his mom. After crying initially, he seemed to be so filled with joy. At Sunday school the teacher was introducing a hard topic, and began by asking the supposedly rhetorical question “Why are we all here on Earth?”. The little boy raised his hand and said, “It’s so that we can learn to be like Jesus, and when we get good enough at it, we get to go home to be with Him. That’s howcome Mommy got to go home.”
Prayers and Blessings from Helena, AL
Layla’s story has touched me so much. I think of you all throughout the day and send prayers up constantly. I have a 13 month old and you’ve taught me to cherish every second with him and take nothing for granted. Thank you for that. Layla has made me a better mother, a better Christian and I will never forget her story. God bless you and your entire family. We are praying for all of you!
Praying for peace for Layla Grace. May God’s love surround you, and comfort you as he comes to take you home.
God Bless
I woke up numerous times last night, saying a prayer for Layla each time. As my three-year-old daughter lay next to me in bed, it didn’t seem fair that both of us should be sleeping with our daughters under such very different circumstances.
I keep thinking that maybe Layla is holding on because a miracle WILL happen, but I realize the statistics at this point aren’t in her favor. I believe that God does heal, and I will continue to pray for Layla, whatever the outcome.
I am simply blown away and touched by your little girl’s strong fight. not only is she a little angel sent here to bring knowledge to all that come in across her story but peace that her fight will never be forgotten. I am also completely heartbroken to hear of her suffering with pain… I can’t imagine the feelings and heartache that your family is enduring. I will pray and keep you all in my thoughts and most def. prayers.