God speed, little man. Sweet dreams, little man.
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It is with a heavy heart that I write these words.
Sweet baby Parker passed away this morning, Monday February 8th, 2010.
To those that have been so supportive, I cannot tell you how your love and prayers have lifted the LaMendolas up.
Thank you for pouring your hearts out like you have.
I’m convinced that moments like these truly reveal how good and decent people can really be.
You have loved this family and this child like they were your own. You have grieved and cried and shared his story.
Parker’s time here was ephemeral, but his impact will be widespread and enduring.
His mother said it best… “Parker is now an angel. God bless him and rest in peace! We love you.”
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If Parker, Laurel Beth, Greg, and Drew have made an impression on you, feel free to leave a comment on this post. We are working on a special way to deliver all of your thoughts to the family.
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February 9th, 2010 at 8:35 am
In the short time that I followed their story,the impact that this family had on me was tremendous!
It truly makes you wake up and cherish what you have.Only God knows how much time we have on this earth..I do hope that Laurel Beth,Greg and Drew will never forget the impact that they had on so many people,by unselfishly sharing their story and their sweet Parker..
February 9th, 2010 at 9:00 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this trying time. Thank you for sharing your story with us. It has touched so many lives. He will be you always!
February 9th, 2010 at 9:08 am
I only recently since the post of the pictures here began to follow Parker, but in that short week my heart has been filled with and constantly thought of this beautiful baby and his family. I pray that God helps this family find the strength for them now. I am so blessed also for Drew to have these photos of him with his brother one day. Thank you Carrie for giving them that!
February 9th, 2010 at 10:10 am
My heart breaks for Parker’s family, but I know that God is rejoicing because he was able to bring an angel home. I pray that He brings strength and peace to this beautiful family at this very difficult time. Thank you, Carrie, for allowing us a glimpse into Parker’s life and reminding us all how precious and fragile our own lives, and those of our loved ones, really are.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:13 am
My heart goes out to Parker’s family. I recently lost my dad to cancer in Nov. We had a very short time with my dad. Carri thank you for sharing this precious story with us!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I have been following Parker’s story through this website and the CaringBridge website. The LaMendola family is in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you, Carrie, for sharing this precious baby boy’s story with all of your followers. What an inspiration the LaMendola’s are for the strength and faith! I am sad for the family but I rejoice to know that sweet Parker is with the King of Kings and he is in no more pain :).
February 9th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
The LaMendola family is in our thoughts and prayers. I’m so grateful they have shared the story with the World. I can not being to imagine what this family has gone through and are still having to go through. Parker will forever remain a beautiful baby boy with our God above and will surely be a guardian angel to his brother. My heart goes out to this family and we will forever remember this sweet precious baby.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with this family right now and forever. You can never forget but with time it will be easier because you will be together again. May God bless you all.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Parker, the day I became aware of you and your struggles, my own 14 month old baby boy was being a typical toddler and driving me crazy. As I read more about you, I stopped and thought that your mama would give anything to have you up running around, destroying her house. At that moment I realized I needed to cherish every second with him. Thank you Parker for teaching me what’s really important. While I hate that your time here was so short, I’m so glad that you’re no longer in pain. You have touched more people in your short life than most of us could in lifetime. Rest now, sweet boy.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. I know Parker’s time here on earth was short, but wow what an impact he has made. May God be with this family during their loss, and may they find comfort knowing that their precious angel is finally at peace.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:38 am
What an amazing gift Parker is. His touched so many lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. God’s greatest gift has gone home to get his wings. God Bless.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Thank you for sharing your amazing Parker with us! What an impact he made on me and the rest of the community. I didn’t learn of Parker until Carrie posted her pictures of him and from that day on I was constantly thinking and praying for Parker and your family. I’m also a twin and the pictures of Drew and Parker together was very touching. I’m sure in years to come, Drew will surely appreciate and love you more for this gift. God has received another precious angel…my thoughts and prayers are with you today and for the coming weeks and months! I will never forget those blue eyes!
February 10th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Thank you for sharing the pics of Parker with us. He was so beautiful. GOd truly has an angel. His life was so short but he touched me in some way that I will never forget. Please send my condolences to his mom, dad and brother.
February 10th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
To the beautiful Lamendola family: What a precious and beautiful angel baby! Thank you for sharing Parker’s story with us to remind us not to take life for granted. Your story touched my heart deeply as I have a 4-year old granddaughter and a grandson born three weeks prior to your precious twins. My heart goes out to your family at this time of sorrow. May knowing his memory will live with you forever and one day you will be with him again bring you comfort and peace. I pray God will give you strength and comfort you with His loving care.
To Carrie: May God bless you for taking your time to be with this family to share their story and pictures with us!
February 11th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Parker has stolen a piece of my heart!!! I have cried and smiled at this precious child’s pictures and life. To the Lamendola family all I can say is that God is such an awesome God to allow your family to get to hold such a precious little baby boy for the little time that you did!!! Little Parker has touched my life and so many other people’s lives. Thank you for sharing your sweet sunshine with us while you had him. Just know that my prayers are with each of you, especially little Drew as he learns to live without his twin brother. I pray that Jesus Christ gives each of you the strength and understanding to carry on Parker’s memory.
Carrie: You are an ANGEL sent straight from God!!! Thank you for giving the Lamendola’s a little piece of Parker to hold onto until they get to Heaven to be with him again.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
This is my favorite picture of Parker. To Laurel Beth & Greg- I am so, so sorry that Parker is not here with you. I lost my son almost 8 years ago and I would not wish this pain on my enemy. It’s so unfair for a mother to lose her child. I know that I will never understand- on this side of Heaven. I’m praying for your strength and I’m praying for continued support from everyone around you and I’m praying that you continue to feel God’s hands holding you up- especially in the moments when you feel unable to hold yourself up any longer.
February 13th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Parker has made such an impact in my life. The LaMendola family has tought me to cherish every moment with my family and especially my 19 month old son. The things I used to take for granted with my son are now treated so differently. Laurel Beth has also taught me how to be a stronger woman and mother. I am amazed by LB and Gregs strength and will continue to pray for you. It is unimaginable to lose a child. Embrace little Drew everyday and remind him how brave his brother, Parker, is and will protect and be a part of him everyday. His memory will be with us all whom he has touched so tremendously!
February 14th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
It’s so amazing how someone so tiny can have such a huge impact on one’s life and how strangers that have never crossed paths can live in someone’s heart and mind daily. Parker and his family has left a lasting impression in my heart and in my life forever. I am very thankful for that because when I first read about this amazing family and Parker’s journey of life it was on a very difficult day for me. And this little angel was a blessing in disguise to me in many ways. When I saw the beautiful pictures of this family I cried but not in sorrow for this family but almost in delight for this family that they were able to spend time together, meaningful time to show and share their love for each other, and that they were able to capture the moments that they can cherish along with memories of their little angel forever. The love that this family has shared with everyone is a gift and a lesson in one that we will all cherish and remember forever. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and giving me hope and comfort at a time when I truly needed it. I love you all and wish the best for your family and pray that in your hearts you know that you too will someday reunite with your sweet angel Parker.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Carrie, I need you to e-mail me so I can send you a private essay from my husband in my Bible that may be something you can use. The e-mail link on the site didn’t work for me.
It finally struck me that the true joy and triumph of the Father’s love in this is that Parker is spared from the evil effects of sin. He will never hurt again. Never scrape his knee. Never be jilted. Never lose a spouse to cancer. God has saved Parker as this dear angel who has influenced al lof us immeasurably. Thank you for sharing him with us.