A note from Bob...

As Jan 7th approached and as I tried to grasp the realization that an entire year has passed, many things came to mind as you might imagine. First, I am grateful for the time I had with Jack and all the lessons he taught me that will remain with me forever. I have had the opportunity to be around other parents who are in similar situations and the common theme is that our children have been teachers and examples to us. Jack was no different. Looking back, he spent most of his life being an example of unconditional love, good humor, and acceptance. He was unwavering in his love for you, me, Jesus and anyone he met, be it friend, acquaintance or stranger.

I am extremely grateful to have called him my son. I love you, Jack. I am also grateful for the love and support of our family and friends. This year, however blurred its memory may have been at times, would not have been nearly as tolerable and even fulfilling without you. Friendships have been rekindled, others have been strengthened, and bonds have been reinforced. Thank you all for your presence and prayers.

Second, I am sad-not all the time, but it is unavoidable at times. Jack was such a big part of Mary and my daily life that it is not even possible to fill the void. We know that our lives have been dealt a curveball, but life goes on. I do have, as April calls them, “Jack moments”. I think of them as “Jack flashes”, where this sudden rush of emotion comes upon you and all you can do is wait it out for a few moments and hope nobody catches you in this compromised emotional state (that’s code for crying).

I miss you, Jack.

Third, I am reassured that Jack is now pain free and living in Glory with his grandparents and other loved ones that have gone on ahead. KnowHisPeace was started as we journeyed through life facing Jack’s disease, but it also refers to the peace we have knowing that Jack has met Jesus face to face and has been welcomed home. Thank you, Jesus.

I am a grateful, sad, reassured dad that is blessed with a loving wife and three fabuloso children; an unbelievable family including the best sister ever, terrific nieces and nephews, incredible in-laws and the best cousins; and simply put - a super group of friends.

There is so much to be thankful for, but for now just smile, laugh, cry wherever you are, remembering how Jack touched your life. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers this day.

Happy Birthday Jack!

Hi dear friends and sweet family!

It feels a little surreal to be writing a blog again, after all this time.  I knew it would take some time for me to be able to come back and update, and I knew that when the time was right, I would just feel it.

Well, today it just feels right.

It is Jack's 17th birthday and without a doubt a day that will bring both lots of smiles, laughs and stories, and tears, emptiness and sadness.

Thanks to tiffany, it will also bring a lot of people together all over the world to eat ice cream in celebration & honor of him. if you are on facebook, and would like to participate, visit this event page to jump in and post pictures and comments of your ice cream experience today... https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206269196079608.

I have put together a short photo slideshow to take you through the 16-years of Jack's life, most of the photos from what we showed at the services. What a beautiful smile he always wore!








We continue to feel Jack all around us, be it through songs we hear, people we meet, butterflies we see, food we eat, places we go, and memories we make.  today, we feel him especially strong, as we know he is certainly having a grand party up in heaven with all his new friends.

Thank you for continuing to pray for our family. we know grieving is a process, but we never feel we are going through it alone. God is good!

So, in closing...

Happy Birthday Jack.
We love you and miss you so much each and every day.

ice cream awaits!
april

looking ahead to the weekend

Hi all,

I have a feeling Heaven's freezer & ice cream departments are working overtime to keep up with Jack, as Atlanta was covered in snow Sunday night, and is still frozen solid.  We are hoping they catch up soon, so everyone trying to come in town this weekend will make it safely. :)

Friday services
We will have a short time during the prayer service on Friday night for those of you who would like to say a few words about Jack, share a moment you had with Jack or even tell a joke that he will laugh at from upstairs. If you feel led to do this, please contact our good friend, Beth Patrick (770-653-3960), as she will be helping to coordinate this part of the service for us.

Saturday's reception
The location of the reception is still to be determined, but we are hoping once offices re-open around Marietta tomorrow, we will be able to finalize.  It will be immediately following the service and we would love all who can to join us.

We, as a family, are very excited about both Friday and Saturday, as we know Jack will have an overwhelming presence there between all of you, our families, the music, the prayers, the stories and the laughter.

Love to you all, travel safe, and stay warm-
April

A celebration of Jack

We invite all those who are able to join us in celebrating Jack's life on Friday night, January 14th at one of Jack's favorite places, Transfiguration Catholic Church.

Visitation with the family will be at 7pm, with a prayer service following at 8pm to share stories and memories of Jack's 16 years.

The memorial service to help us celebrate Jack's new life will be held Saturday, January 15th at 11am, also at Transfiguration. An uplifting, full-of-laughter, love-infused reception will follow with details to come.

Transfiguration Catholic Church

1815 Blackwell Road, NE 

Marietta, Georgia 30066

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jack's honor to: 

Brain Tumor Foundation for Children

6065 Roswell Road, Suite #505

Atlanta, GA 30328

www.braintumorkids.org

Thank you so much for all the words of encouragement, support and love.

-The Gardners

Jack says 'goodbye'... for now.

This morning, somewhere around 2am, Jack quietly, peacefully, gently slipped away to be with God and a host of other family and friends.  He did it the same way he did when he was with us; one minute he was here, the next he was gone. Only this time we know where he went.

Jack was a warrior. A brave soldier. In every way possible. He was a terrific son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend and ambassador for Jesus Christ.

We share our heavy hearts with those who were blessed enough to know him, and even those who didn't, as they shared in our journey some way.

He will be missed greatly, every day, but never forgotten.

We will post arrangements as soon as we have them finalized.  Thank you for letting us share Jack's life with you.

God Bless.
Jack's family - Bob, Mary, Tiffany, April & Charlie

Our new room!

Hi everyone,

Just an update that we are now in Room #197 in the Aflac Cancer Center.  Jack must have good connections here in the hospital, as we are in the 'penthouse suite' as we are calling it.  Lots of space, and very quiet.  They are taking great care of us so far, and in a strange way, it is already more comfortable for us all.

His heart rate and blood counts are still high, but they are keeping a close eye on him and making sure he stays comfortable.

Thanks for all the thoughts sent our way today, it was a quiet day here and we have all spent great time with Jack.

XO
April

Granny went out in style, Jack-o-Baby is moving

Hi everyone,

I know there was a short break in blogging, and I have to admit it is only because I personally was drained from Monday, and we were preparing as a family to be away in Birmingham for Granny's services. Monday was a very emotional day for us all, but as God usually works in times like this, we have all become more dependent & trusting in Him.  Not to mention, closer as a family.

The celebration that took place of Granny's life was incredible.  Tiffany and I missed Tuesday night, but we got the full report that it was a night filled with music from the grandkids, memories of Granny from Charlie (he's so strong!), cousin Costello & a couple of sisters, lots of laughter, even more food, prayers & tears, (red wine), and overwhelming love.

Yesterday's service was beautiful.  So many great friends and family came to say goodbye and wish Granny well in her new life with God.  Mary read a letter from all the sisters to her, and there wasn't a dry eye in the church, other than Mary's (Thank you Lord for giving her that strength to get through!).  It was perfect, other than Jack wasn't there in person, and it ran exactly how Granny would have wanted it.

Jack is having a hard time this morning.  His heart rate and blood pressure were both trending a little high last night, but this morning decided to sky rocket.  They are giving him some medicines to try to bring both down, but Jack is playing one heck of a "chase the numbers" game with the docs.

Mary, Dad, Tiffany and I are all here, and we are planning to stay until we feel he has calmed down.

Why are his counts fluctuating so much?
The doctor's think Jack's body is simply getting tired.  He has been through so much, and we all believe  Jack and the Man upstairs have a plan that is beyond ours, or the doctors, control.

To make sure Jack is the most comfortable he can be right now, he is moving back to Aflac.
We met with the ICU and Alfac doctors this morning, and decided it will be best for Jack to move to the Aflac Cancer Center, where all the nurses adore him (and have known him for years) and they can manage Jack in a different, more comfortable way.  I will post a new room number once we have it, but we should be in our new home later this afternoon.

Please continue praying.  We will be here as a family, and always feel the comfort of everyone thinking and praying for us.

We love you all,
April