Our sweet little Matthew Karol went back home to Holy God after three hard days in the NICU. Matthew went from our arms into the arms of his Maker in peace late Wednesday night. It was a very emotional night for us to see him go, but what a glorious place to be going to. Matthew received the Last Rites for the Dying from the Catholic Chaplain. Our perfect little guy was able to receive two Sacraments during his short time with us.
God’s plan for our Little Matthew Karol was already known before we ever even knew about Matthew and God does not ever make mistakes. John and I treasured every moment we got to spend with Matthew. Matthew’s last gift of Mercy to us was when he opened his eyes and looked at John for a minute. It was absolutely touching to see his eyes open. Matthew was a gift to us and we will never forget all of the prayers and notes of encouragement for us throughout this long journey. We thank each one of you who have offered so many prayers along the way. We are certainly held up by your prayers and God’s grace.
I am so sorry. I feel so privileged to have seen him grow, feel his kicks and pray for him and all of you. God bless you, God keep you, God hold you up at this time.
I wish I had words that would help. I don’t. So I continue to pray.
Emily & John, Your little saint is now praying for you always. Your faith is beautiful, and very edifying to us all. I am so sorry for your loss and your pain (and I’m trying not to cry too much so I can see the computer), but I’m also thanking God for His goodness and mercy. He was very generous to send such a sweet child to be so loved, even for a very short time. God bless & comfort you.
He is absolutely beautiful! I am so glad that you had the time with him before he went home. He has touched all of our lives in so many ways and I know he is in Heaven praying for his sweet family along with his brothers and sister.
Rest in peace sweet baby Matthew.
we love you and are praying for you Snow family. Our hearts ache for you. thank you for sharing the story of your most precious Saint, Matthew Karol.
Peace of Christ, love, the Roder family
Heartfelt prayers for you all Emily. Little Matthew touched so many lives during his all to brief time here on earth. Your faith and trust in God through out this journey has been such an inspiration. May our Lord continue to be your strength and comfort in the weeks and months ahead.
We’re so sorry for your loss. What a privledge it has been to pray for all of you and to see this beautiful little boy come into the world. Continued prayers are coming from us. May God bless and keep you all.
David and I are so sorry for your loss. You will remain in our prayers. Little Matthew was truly blessed in his parents and now he gets to sit at the throne of God and sing your praises forever.
I am Meredith Boldischar’s neice and I just want to say that I have been following your blog for quiet some time checking up on little Matthew. Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers during your preganancy and it was such a delight to see pictures of Matthew when he was born. I am sorry for your loss, but as you said God doesn’t make mistakes and Matthew is already looking down on your family. Your family is so strong for everything you have gone through and I can only pray for continued strength and hope.
We’re all so sorry that Matthew’s time here was so short. You have blessed us by your strength, and we have been honoured to pray for you all. We will continue to pray for your strength and comfort.
Emily and John,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your precious, beautiful St. Matthew Karol is so blessed to have spent his time on earth with you. And we know how blessed you are to have him interceding with you in heaven. Still, it hurts so much. We weep with you!
I am so, so sorry! I wish I had some beautiful, comforting words. Our family is crying with you and awed by your faith. You will remain in our prayers.
Thank you for your beautiful testimony to the gift of life! You are an inspirtation to me! May God continue to lead you on His path!
Thank you for all that you have shared with us! Your family and little Matthew have touched so many lives! God bless you! Prayers continue for you!
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful little boy you have in Matthew Karol. He will not be forgotten. Thank you for sharing his life and your beautiful pictures with us all.
God bless you and praying for you!
Jennifer
Dear john and Emily, I am so very sorry about the loss of your precious little Matthew. My heart is aching for you and your family. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. We love you!
My heart aches for your family’s great sorrow.
What a beautiful soul you were able to carry and present to Our Lord.
May Our Lady console you even as she enjoys caring for your little one in heaven.
Much glory has been given to God through your family. John and Emily – thank you for your fiat and willingness to embrace the heartache alongside the love. And thank you Matthew for showing us the power of suffering and God’s greater love through it all.
Emily, John and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Many lives were touched by this precious little boy. I only wish we could’ve met him in person. I’m thankful you got to spend some time with him. God will be with you all through this painful time as you grieve. God bless you all. You will continue to be in our prayers.
The Edwards family is also sorry for your loss..We will keep you all in our thoughts, prayers & Rosaries..He’s an angel with God now..God Bless you & may Our Blessed Mother’s mantle keep you covered while you grieve for baby Matthew..
From our family to yours, we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our hearts are breaking and tears are flowing. Thank you for sharing your precious angel and your amazing faith with us. We will continue to pray for you as you mourn. Jesus, we trust in you.
So sorry for the loss of your darling Matthew. I will be keeping your family close in my prayer. May the Lord be your strength and your refuge.
Your Sister in Christ Jesus,
Sharyn
Our hearts are with you today and we share your grief as you shared your story. We will pray for comfort and peace to you and your family and I am sure it is a heartbroken joy to know that you will be reunited again with Matthew and your other Heavenly children in the future.
God Bless,
Angie and dh Mike and dc: Matt, Gwen, Abbie, Noah, Nicky, and Katie Beth
We are so sorry. Our deepest heartfelt prayers go out to you and your dear family. Thank you so much for sharing your moments with Mathew with us. You have touched our hearts in such a special way. May God bless you and Mary keep you!
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Thank you for sharing with all of us the blessing of Matthew Karol’s life. What a dear, sweet intercessor you have in Heaven! Our family is weeping with you and will continue our prayers.
Thank you for sharing Matthew Karol with us. He is a special gift from God and had a very special purpose. You will see him again. He will be waiting for you! Until then, you have an angel interceding for you!
You and your family will continually be in my prayers. I pray that you will heal both physically and emotionally in God’s time.
I am so sorry for your loss of your precious little boy. Thank you for opening yourselves and sharing the beautiful pictures of your all too brief, sweet time together with Matthew. I hope and pray that the prayers of so many who love you and Matthew sustain you and buoy you and comfort you amidst the sea of sorrow. And I pray you all continue to feel God’s peace deep in your souls.
I am so sorry. This afternoon I read the kids your latest update (29th) and showed them the pictures of your sweet little fella. We oo’d and aaaw’d over him, then we prayed for ya’ll. I will tell them in the morning that he is with Blessed Mother Mary, all the saints and angles and their grandma; we have a special little saint in Heaven to help us.
Our hearts and prayers are with you as you mourn your wee one and celebrate his glorious entry to eternal joy, happiness and wellness. We will continue to keep you in prayer and may rest with the loving assurance that your little saint is praying…and waiting…for the rest of his dear family!
I am sorry for your loss and lift you and yours up in prayer. May God wrap you in His arms and comfort you, may He envelope your family in His Grace, may He lift up Matthew, ever eternal shinning.
I have understanding of where you’ve been-we’ve been there several times ourselves. Thank you for being brave to share, to bear witness to even our briefest time here, it is so blessed, so important, it is a grace. I will keep your name in prayer in mass,
sincerely,
Helen
Praying for you, both in thanksgiving for the time with Matthew and for healing during this difficult time of loss. Thank you for sharing Matthew with us, and may your little saint intercede mightily for you in heaven to ease the grief and bring you peace and joy!
My friend Anne from Australian passed on your very sad news. I cannot stop weeping for the pain of loosing your son Mathew.
We lost our first sib, Francis Xavier at full term in 2002. As much as I wanted him to live freely with the Angels which he is, we as parents have on going pain.
Pierced by the sword of sorrow, we join with Mother Mary (Our Lady of Sorrow) at he foot of the cross at calvary as she witnessed the brutal death of her son.
What a precious gift and a beautiful soul and those of your other 3 children you have given to God.
Over time I feel blessed that our son is in Heaven. Even though we grieve his death, we have the greatest gift, a soul in Heaven. My first thoughts when I knew my son died was that the world is only here to sustain souls. I still to have to hope and pray our we and our other children make it.
I am greatly encouraged by your wonderful faith, inspired that in the face of adversity you live in hope.
My children and I prayed for you. Like little children, they pray you get another baby, all in good time.
Every year on our son’s anniversary we light the number of candles since his entry into Heaven on a birthday cake. It is wonderful occasion to thank God for out little intercessor.
We pray Our Lady will wrap you all in her mantle and Jesus will send the grace of preserverance in a very sad but joyful time for your family.
May God bless you and we remember you in our prayers.
I am so touched by the photos of Mathew being baptised, how wonderful this is, how wonderful that the hospital treated your son with so much care.
My heart mourns for your loss. Thank you for the heroic courage and faithful witnesses to life you have been. Matthew Karol is a beautiful soul and God desired him for Himself. You have given our Lord the most generous gift. I will continue my prayers for you and your family at this time of grieving and praise.
I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for all of you. Your witness to the preciousness of life no matter how small or how short has touched my heart. Thank you Jesus for the gift of Matthew Karol, bless and comfort his parents and siblings here on earth.
I can’t tell you how much your faithful witness to God’s love and mercy have touched me and taught me this week. Your strength and trust in our Lord’s plan for your precious son…well, I don’t even have the words, many tears and all my love and prayers.
Your family is a shining example of humble obedience to God’s will. Matthew’s life on earth gave me a peek of what God is like and what He does to people who trust Him. I cried as I feel a heavy bulldozer on my chest during the ordeal of Matthew. I am also in awe at the graces that God has bestowed on you and your husband. I share your loss but at the same time triumph on God’s plan for your family.
Dear Emily and John,
May your little saint who is now being cradled in the loving arms of Our Lord and His Mother intercede for you and give you much comfort, strength and peace during this sorrowful time. We have prayed so very much for you all, especially, Matthew and want you to know that we continue to pray. We lost our firstborn to a heart defect so our prayers come with a little understanding of your heavy, heavy cross.
Hugs and love,
Jennifer Dostalik and family
My prayers continue for you, for peace and healing. I love you and miss you. I sure wish I were there to hug your necks. A cyber-hug will have to do. Sweet Saint Matthew Karol, pray for us. Karen +AMDG+
I have been following your blog and praying for your precious Matthew Karol. May God continue to bless your family as he holds your beautiful son in His arms.
So sorry for all you have lost – and, if it doesn’t sound callous, so happy for all you have gained and all you have shared with others and been able to bless us with through Matthew’s life. Praying for you all.
Oh Emily, I am so so very sorry for your loss. I know just how hard it is lost lose a little one, but what a blessing to know that your little Matthew Karol is in heaven with Our Lord, Blessed Mother and all the other Saints and will be praying for you and the rest of his precious family here on earth! Still it hurts so very much and we will continue to pray for you and your family! May God send you many many graces during this difficult time. With love, Jessica
Heartfelt condolences to all of you. I came across your blog just poking around online today. We lost our beautiful baby boy on May 19, 2009 when he was born into eternal life. I don’t know if you’ve heard about a book called, “We were going to have a baby but we had an angel instead” by an Oregon grief site? We hadn’t heard of it and we were gifted with it. It is a beautiful book that has helped our young children deal with their baby brother’s death – particularly the youngest two (five and two). Prayers for all of you.
I pray for strength and peace during this time of great loss.
What a tiny missionary Matthew was! There are so many people sending prayers heavenward because of him and because of the tremendous faith you have shown during this difficult journey. Thank you for sharing your joy and your sorrow with us.
What a beautiful testimony of two very trusting and faithful parents. Your precious son’s short life meant much to many, now resting in the arms of Jesus. Praying for you all. I’m so sorry to read of your loss today. God Bless you all.
Thank-you for your witness of life. You are such a blessing to the world today. What a beautiful child and a gift to us all! God be with you and your family.
My love and prayers are going out for your family and little Matthew. He was such a beautiful, beautiful baby–and he has touch so many hearts. God definitely had a plan for him.
I will hold your family in prayer through your grief. What a blessing for a priest to be there to give Matthew those two sacraments.
I had been praying for Matthew & had a link for him on my webpage. I know that following God’s will is sometimes so painful that you don’t know if you’ll even survive the pain–I am praying for you and your family to have strength.
He is so beautiful and so perfect, even more perfect now in Heaven with our Heavenly Father and Blessed Mother holding him. You and your family are in my constant prayers.
It is just beautiful that through this long hard journey so many have been brought together through prayer. I don’t have the words on the phone- but I pray that God will wrap you up in comforting grace to get you through this emotional time. Love you both! ~Court
I was offline last week, so I apologize for my delay in responding. I am so sorry to see that Matthew was with you for only a short time. I am praising God for his life, and for your beautiful love for him. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your entire family during this very difficult time of grief and healing.
I lost my daughter, Therese Joy, at full term back in November of 2002, so I know the bumpy road you are traveling. If you ever want to chat, just e-mail me offline.
I have no words that can even begin to comfort. The loss of your child just plain stinks, no two ways about it. I will offer up prayers for peace to come to your lives.
Offering prayers for all of you. Thank you for sharing a beautiful glimpse of Matthew’s grand entrance and short life here on this earth. Your example of faith is truly inspiring.
Know I will be praying for days to come.
God bless.
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Your precious son and the courage he portrayed in his struggle for life is such an encouragement and inspiration to others including me.
I admire your faith and the love of your family! Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. You are not alone. You have a lot of people who care about you and are praying for you!
Hi. It is very obvious that the two of you have incredible courage and strength by reading your story of this monumental loss. I too know and realize little matthew is back home with the Lord and indeed know God has mighty plans already being administered to not only Matthew but to you as well. Remember how much God loves you and will give you guidance and strength in the coming days and weeks. Nothing or no one could ever prepare you for such devastation, but please keep your faith. God Bless you and I am certainly praying for you. ~~~Mark
26 years ago I said hello and goodbye to my baby daughter. At the time I did not understand why God had taken her. But within days I was allowed to know (a private vision). Over the last 26 years this is continually affirmed. I can say that her short life and death changed many lives because it changed mine. Paths would have been taken that were not, because of her. I thank God for what C S Lewis would call a “Severe Mercy”. Later my mother in-law gave me a book called “Angel UnAware” by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. If I had any doubt about why she entered my life and lived only so long this book put it to rest. When I saw your photo with your son a flood of memories came back, how could I not cry I had once held my own child as you but it was not so much for what I lost but what I had gained. Grief is only for what is truly lost. Yes we lose are children’s physically but something else is given in it’s place. I pray that as these days go by and you feel the loss of your son know that his life is not in vain but has become a lantern on the road home for those he has touched. It is not how much time one has on earth that is of value but that all life is a gift and God has a plan for it no matter how long that life .
God Bless your lovely family who will be forever touched by Matthew’s life,
I have 5 children here, and 9 in heaven. As I am 45 and for other medical reasons, there won’t be any more chances for us, not that another child could begin to replace a child that was lost. But I have found peace. Even knowing God’s plan, there is still pain. And even knowing they are saints in heaven, there is still pain. And even knowing someday in heaven, we will all be together, there is still pain. But there is peace.
What a beautiful baby. We lost our first child from crib death eight years ago. The pain never leaves, but the blessings are abundant. Holy Baptism is a comfort. God bless you- you are in my prayers.
God's Canvas 
I am so sorry. I feel so privileged to have seen him grow, feel his kicks and pray for him and all of you. God bless you, God keep you, God hold you up at this time.
I wish I had words that would help. I don’t. So I continue to pray.
I am so sorry. It was truly touching to read about little Mathew’s life. You and your family are in our prayers.
Sincerely, Steph
My prayers are with you all. I am so sorry.
Emily & John, Your little saint is now praying for you always. Your faith is beautiful, and very edifying to us all. I am so sorry for your loss and your pain (and I’m trying not to cry too much so I can see the computer), but I’m also thanking God for His goodness and mercy. He was very generous to send such a sweet child to be so loved, even for a very short time. God bless & comfort you.
He is absolutely beautiful! I am so glad that you had the time with him before he went home. He has touched all of our lives in so many ways and I know he is in Heaven praying for his sweet family along with his brothers and sister.
Rest in peace sweet baby Matthew.
Offering prayers of thanksgiving for the great gift of time that you had with Matthew, and of course prayers for all of you as you miss him so.
Precious and perfect St. Matthew Karol Snow, pray for your family.
God bless you all!
We mourn with you and praise God with you. His will be done.
Keeping your family in my prayers
we love you and are praying for you Snow family. Our hearts ache for you. thank you for sharing the story of your most precious Saint, Matthew Karol.
Peace of Christ, love, the Roder family
Matthew Karol enjoys the Beatific Vision! If only could have that certainty…my heart though, mourns for you Emily, for John and the children.
Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos, it’s a privilege indeed.
You will be in my prayers in the weeks to come, may God bless you all!
Heartfelt prayers for you all Emily. Little Matthew touched so many lives during his all to brief time here on earth. Your faith and trust in God through out this journey has been such an inspiration. May our Lord continue to be your strength and comfort in the weeks and months ahead.
Em… John… I don’t even have words. I’m so sorry.
Yall are such a beautiful family; thank you for being YOU.
Love and prayers.
We’re so sorry for your loss. What a privledge it has been to pray for all of you and to see this beautiful little boy come into the world. Continued prayers are coming from us. May God bless and keep you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. Matthew’s short life has touched so many lives. God bless you as you deal with your grief.
David and I are so sorry for your loss. You will remain in our prayers. Little Matthew was truly blessed in his parents and now he gets to sit at the throne of God and sing your praises forever.
Much love to you.
I am so sorry. I will continue my prayers for you and your family. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures.
I’m sorry. Praying for all of you here.
My Prayers are with you and my heart feels what words can not say.
God Bless.
My prayers are with you all during this time. May God bless you…..
Praying for you all. Mourning with you, but rejoicing that he’ll be advocating for you from heaven. God bless.
I am Meredith Boldischar’s neice and I just want to say that I have been following your blog for quiet some time checking up on little Matthew. Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers during your preganancy and it was such a delight to see pictures of Matthew when he was born. I am sorry for your loss, but as you said God doesn’t make mistakes and Matthew is already looking down on your family. Your family is so strong for everything you have gone through and I can only pray for continued strength and hope.
God Bless,
Heidi
We’re all so sorry that Matthew’s time here was so short. You have blessed us by your strength, and we have been honoured to pray for you all. We will continue to pray for your strength and comfort.
Love from all the Gadbois clan.
Emily and John,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your precious, beautiful St. Matthew Karol is so blessed to have spent his time on earth with you. And we know how blessed you are to have him interceding with you in heaven. Still, it hurts so much. We weep with you!
No words, just tears. Your pictures are beautiful. May Matthew rest in peace.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers continue. God bless.
I am so, so sorry! I wish I had some beautiful, comforting words. Our family is crying with you and awed by your faith. You will remain in our prayers.
God bless you all.
Thank you for your beautiful testimony to the gift of life! You are an inspirtation to me! May God continue to lead you on His path!
Thank you for all that you have shared with us! Your family and little Matthew have touched so many lives! God bless you! Prayers continue for you!
I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful little boy you have in Matthew Karol. He will not be forgotten. Thank you for sharing his life and your beautiful pictures with us all.
God bless you and praying for you!
Jennifer
Dear john and Emily, I am so very sorry about the loss of your precious little Matthew. My heart is aching for you and your family. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. We love you!
Emily and John,
Tears and prayers. Blessed be the name of the God and all his works.
My heart aches for your family’s great sorrow.
What a beautiful soul you were able to carry and present to Our Lord.
May Our Lady console you even as she enjoys caring for your little one in heaven.
I am so sorry for your loss. Please be assured of our family’s prayers during this difficult time.
God bless you all
My heart aches for you. I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious baby Matthew. Please be assured of my family’s prayers for you.
Much glory has been given to God through your family. John and Emily – thank you for your fiat and willingness to embrace the heartache alongside the love. And thank you Matthew for showing us the power of suffering and God’s greater love through it all.
Emily, John and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Many lives were touched by this precious little boy. I only wish we could’ve met him in person. I’m thankful you got to spend some time with him. God will be with you all through this painful time as you grieve. God bless you all. You will continue to be in our prayers.
We are so very sorry – our family has been praying daily for Matthew and your family. Thank you for sharing your pictures – what a beautiful boy.
I’m sorry for your loss and moved to tears by your witness. Prayers for your family.
The Edwards family is also sorry for your loss..We will keep you all in our thoughts, prayers & Rosaries..He’s an angel with God now..God Bless you & may Our Blessed Mother’s mantle keep you covered while you grieve for baby Matthew..
I’m so sorry for your loss. God bless you.
Matthew’s time was much too brief. Yet, in that short time, he touched more hearts than many who live much longer. My prayers are with all of you.
Dear Emily and John,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this holy time.
From our family to yours, we are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our hearts are breaking and tears are flowing. Thank you for sharing your precious angel and your amazing faith with us. We will continue to pray for you as you mourn. Jesus, we trust in you.
All our love and prayers,
The Boldishcars
So sorry for the loss of your darling Matthew. I will be keeping your family close in my prayer. May the Lord be your strength and your refuge.
Your Sister in Christ Jesus,
Sharyn
Our hearts are with you today and we share your grief as you shared your story. We will pray for comfort and peace to you and your family and I am sure it is a heartbroken joy to know that you will be reunited again with Matthew and your other Heavenly children in the future.
God Bless,
Angie and dh Mike and dc: Matt, Gwen, Abbie, Noah, Nicky, and Katie Beth
Dearest Emily and John and family,
We are so sorry. Our deepest heartfelt prayers go out to you and your dear family. Thank you so much for sharing your moments with Mathew with us. You have touched our hearts in such a special way. May God bless you and Mary keep you!
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Words cannot express how saddened I am by your news. You are all in our prayers. He is a beautiful little boy. May his memory be eternal.
So, so sorry to hear about your loss. Your faithfulness just touches us all. Hugs and prayers from our family to yours.
Thank you for sharing with all of us the blessing of Matthew Karol’s life. What a dear, sweet intercessor you have in Heaven! Our family is weeping with you and will continue our prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss! Your whole family are in our prayers! What a gift little Matthew Karol is!! God Bless you all!
The Schiltz Family
I am so sorry for your loss. You are such a beautiful witness to the world. Our prayers are with you and your family.
Anita
God bless you all as your mourn the loss of your sweet child. May he rest in peace and intercede for you before the throne of God.
Thank you for sharing Matthew Karol with us. He is a special gift from God and had a very special purpose. You will see him again. He will be waiting for you! Until then, you have an angel interceding for you!
You and your family will continually be in my prayers. I pray that you will heal both physically and emotionally in God’s time.
I am so sorry for your loss of your precious little boy. Thank you for opening yourselves and sharing the beautiful pictures of your all too brief, sweet time together with Matthew. I hope and pray that the prayers of so many who love you and Matthew sustain you and buoy you and comfort you amidst the sea of sorrow. And I pray you all continue to feel God’s peace deep in your souls.
Our prayers are with you. So sorry for this great loss. May Matthew’s memory be eternal.
May God continue to bless you all in great abundance.
Prayers and hugs,
Donna-Marie
I am so sorry. This afternoon I read the kids your latest update (29th) and showed them the pictures of your sweet little fella. We oo’d and aaaw’d over him, then we prayed for ya’ll. I will tell them in the morning that he is with Blessed Mother Mary, all the saints and angles and their grandma; we have a special little saint in Heaven to help us.
Our hearts and prayers are with you as you mourn your wee one and celebrate his glorious entry to eternal joy, happiness and wellness. We will continue to keep you in prayer and may rest with the loving assurance that your little saint is praying…and waiting…for the rest of his dear family!
The Wasson Family
Thank you for sharing your story about Matthew Karol with us! His time here was a gift, while short, forever precious.
Your faith though all this is has been a blessing to see. (((HUGS and prayers)))
I am sorry for your loss and lift you and yours up in prayer. May God wrap you in His arms and comfort you, may He envelope your family in His Grace, may He lift up Matthew, ever eternal shinning.
I have understanding of where you’ve been-we’ve been there several times ourselves. Thank you for being brave to share, to bear witness to even our briefest time here, it is so blessed, so important, it is a grace. I will keep your name in prayer in mass,
sincerely,
Helen
Praying for you, both in thanksgiving for the time with Matthew and for healing during this difficult time of loss. Thank you for sharing Matthew with us, and may your little saint intercede mightily for you in heaven to ease the grief and bring you peace and joy!
You are both so strong for keeping such positive thoughts and knowing your son is in good hands. Take care, and your family is in my prayers.
Praying still for your loss and Heaven’s gain. Prayers for quick healing and comfort.
Lori
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Praying for you and your family. God bless little Matthew and his beautiful witness for life! Hugs to you and yours!
Praying for you and your family.
Dear Emily and John,
My friend Anne from Australian passed on your very sad news. I cannot stop weeping for the pain of loosing your son Mathew.
We lost our first sib, Francis Xavier at full term in 2002. As much as I wanted him to live freely with the Angels which he is, we as parents have on going pain.
Pierced by the sword of sorrow, we join with Mother Mary (Our Lady of Sorrow) at he foot of the cross at calvary as she witnessed the brutal death of her son.
What a precious gift and a beautiful soul and those of your other 3 children you have given to God.
Over time I feel blessed that our son is in Heaven. Even though we grieve his death, we have the greatest gift, a soul in Heaven. My first thoughts when I knew my son died was that the world is only here to sustain souls. I still to have to hope and pray our we and our other children make it.
I am greatly encouraged by your wonderful faith, inspired that in the face of adversity you live in hope.
My children and I prayed for you. Like little children, they pray you get another baby, all in good time.
Every year on our son’s anniversary we light the number of candles since his entry into Heaven on a birthday cake. It is wonderful occasion to thank God for out little intercessor.
We pray Our Lady will wrap you all in her mantle and Jesus will send the grace of preserverance in a very sad but joyful time for your family.
May God bless you and we remember you in our prayers.
I am so touched by the photos of Mathew being baptised, how wonderful this is, how wonderful that the hospital treated your son with so much care.
The Jee family
Australia.
Praying for you as you grieve. Thank you forsharing Matthew’s short but beautiful life with us.
I am so sorry, my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
My heart mourns for your loss. Thank you for the heroic courage and faithful witnesses to life you have been. Matthew Karol is a beautiful soul and God desired him for Himself. You have given our Lord the most generous gift. I will continue my prayers for you and your family at this time of grieving and praise.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have marveled at your faith and strength during this journey. You are a special woman of faith. God bless all of you.
I am so sorry for your loss and am praying for all of you. Your witness to the preciousness of life no matter how small or how short has touched my heart. Thank you Jesus for the gift of Matthew Karol, bless and comfort his parents and siblings here on earth.
I can’t tell you how much your faithful witness to God’s love and mercy have touched me and taught me this week. Your strength and trust in our Lord’s plan for your precious son…well, I don’t even have the words, many tears and all my love and prayers.
I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing Matthew’s short, blessed life with us. We will continue to pray for all of you.
Your family is a shining example of humble obedience to God’s will. Matthew’s life on earth gave me a peek of what God is like and what He does to people who trust Him. I cried as I feel a heavy bulldozer on my chest during the ordeal of Matthew. I am also in awe at the graces that God has bestowed on you and your husband. I share your loss but at the same time triumph on God’s plan for your family.
Emily and John,
May God be with you and guide you through your grief. Their are no words…we are praying for you.
Blessings…
Dear Emily and John,
May your little saint who is now being cradled in the loving arms of Our Lord and His Mother intercede for you and give you much comfort, strength and peace during this sorrowful time. We have prayed so very much for you all, especially, Matthew and want you to know that we continue to pray. We lost our firstborn to a heart defect so our prayers come with a little understanding of your heavy, heavy cross.
Hugs and love,
Jennifer Dostalik and family
My prayers continue for you, for peace and healing. I love you and miss you. I sure wish I were there to hug your necks. A cyber-hug will have to do. Sweet Saint Matthew Karol, pray for us. Karen +AMDG+
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I have been following your blog and praying for your precious Matthew Karol. May God continue to bless your family as he holds your beautiful son in His arms.
Thank you for sharing this journey.
Renee Francoise
So sad for your family.
Prayers for you all.
Blessings
So sorry for all you have lost – and, if it doesn’t sound callous, so happy for all you have gained and all you have shared with others and been able to bless us with through Matthew’s life. Praying for you all.
Oh Emily, I am so so very sorry for your loss. I know just how hard it is lost lose a little one, but what a blessing to know that your little Matthew Karol is in heaven with Our Lord, Blessed Mother and all the other Saints and will be praying for you and the rest of his precious family here on earth! Still it hurts so very much and we will continue to pray for you and your family! May God send you many many graces during this difficult time. With love, Jessica
I am so grieved for your loss. May the Lord comfort you with His mercy and grace, and heal your hurting hearts.
Dear Emily and John, I am so, so sorry. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. My prayers continue. Lisa
Heartfelt condolences to all of you. I came across your blog just poking around online today. We lost our beautiful baby boy on May 19, 2009 when he was born into eternal life. I don’t know if you’ve heard about a book called, “We were going to have a baby but we had an angel instead” by an Oregon grief site? We hadn’t heard of it and we were gifted with it. It is a beautiful book that has helped our young children deal with their baby brother’s death – particularly the youngest two (five and two). Prayers for all of you.
Dear Emily and John,
I pray for strength and peace during this time of great loss.
What a tiny missionary Matthew was! There are so many people sending prayers heavenward because of him and because of the tremendous faith you have shown during this difficult journey. Thank you for sharing your joy and your sorrow with us.
Peace & Prayers,
Kate
Thank you so much for sharing this journey!
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all now and forever!
What a beautiful testimony of two very trusting and faithful parents. Your precious son’s short life meant much to many, now resting in the arms of Jesus. Praying for you all. I’m so sorry to read of your loss today. God Bless you all.
May God be with your family! We are praying for you, and will ask for Matthew Karol’s intercession. We will keep you in our hearts!
May God hold you in His arms as you grieve the loss of your precious baby.
In Christ,
The McKibbon Family
Thank-you for your witness of life. You are such a blessing to the world today. What a beautiful child and a gift to us all! God be with you and your family.
My love and prayers are going out for your family and little Matthew. He was such a beautiful, beautiful baby–and he has touch so many hearts. God definitely had a plan for him.
I will hold your family in prayer through your grief. What a blessing for a priest to be there to give Matthew those two sacraments.
I had been praying for Matthew & had a link for him on my webpage. I know that following God’s will is sometimes so painful that you don’t know if you’ll even survive the pain–I am praying for you and your family to have strength.
God Bless you–Lara
He is so beautiful and so perfect, even more perfect now in Heaven with our Heavenly Father and Blessed Mother holding him. You and your family are in my constant prayers.
It is just beautiful that through this long hard journey so many have been brought together through prayer. I don’t have the words on the phone- but I pray that God will wrap you up in comforting grace to get you through this emotional time. Love you both! ~Court
He was beautiful. I’m sorry you didn’t get to have him here longer, your family is in our prayers.
I just heard through Lara’s website about little Matthew. I had been praying for him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Ceire
I was offline last week, so I apologize for my delay in responding. I am so sorry to see that Matthew was with you for only a short time. I am praising God for his life, and for your beautiful love for him. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your entire family during this very difficult time of grief and healing.
I lost my daughter, Therese Joy, at full term back in November of 2002, so I know the bumpy road you are traveling. If you ever want to chat, just e-mail me offline.
Continued prayers for you and your family.
I have no words that can even begin to comfort. The loss of your child just plain stinks, no two ways about it. I will offer up prayers for peace to come to your lives.
I am so sorry for your loss. He is a beautiful baby. May the angels lead him into paradise.
I am so sorry that you did not have more time with Matthew. May God hold you all in the palm of his hand.
Beautiful Snow family ~
Offering prayers for all of you. Thank you for sharing a beautiful glimpse of Matthew’s grand entrance and short life here on this earth. Your example of faith is truly inspiring.
Know I will be praying for days to come.
God bless.
Kim H.
TN
I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you. Your precious son and the courage he portrayed in his struggle for life is such an encouragement and inspiration to others including me.
I admire your faith and the love of your family! Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. You are not alone. You have a lot of people who care about you and are praying for you!
May God Bless you and your family!
Love,
Maria Therese In Mass
Hi. It is very obvious that the two of you have incredible courage and strength by reading your story of this monumental loss. I too know and realize little matthew is back home with the Lord and indeed know God has mighty plans already being administered to not only Matthew but to you as well. Remember how much God loves you and will give you guidance and strength in the coming days and weeks. Nothing or no one could ever prepare you for such devastation, but please keep your faith. God Bless you and I am certainly praying for you. ~~~Mark
Dear Emily and John,
26 years ago I said hello and goodbye to my baby daughter. At the time I did not understand why God had taken her. But within days I was allowed to know (a private vision). Over the last 26 years this is continually affirmed. I can say that her short life and death changed many lives because it changed mine. Paths would have been taken that were not, because of her. I thank God for what C S Lewis would call a “Severe Mercy”. Later my mother in-law gave me a book called “Angel UnAware” by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. If I had any doubt about why she entered my life and lived only so long this book put it to rest. When I saw your photo with your son a flood of memories came back, how could I not cry I had once held my own child as you but it was not so much for what I lost but what I had gained. Grief is only for what is truly lost. Yes we lose are children’s physically but something else is given in it’s place. I pray that as these days go by and you feel the loss of your son know that his life is not in vain but has become a lantern on the road home for those he has touched. It is not how much time one has on earth that is of value but that all life is a gift and God has a plan for it no matter how long that life .
God Bless your lovely family who will be forever touched by Matthew’s life,
Christina
Dear family,
I have 5 children here, and 9 in heaven. As I am 45 and for other medical reasons, there won’t be any more chances for us, not that another child could begin to replace a child that was lost. But I have found peace. Even knowing God’s plan, there is still pain. And even knowing they are saints in heaven, there is still pain. And even knowing someday in heaven, we will all be together, there is still pain. But there is peace.
Peace be with you.
What a beautiful baby. We lost our first child from crib death eight years ago. The pain never leaves, but the blessings are abundant. Holy Baptism is a comfort. God bless you- you are in my prayers.
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My prayers are with you. May Our Lady wrap her mantle around your family.
wow so sorry for the loss my prayer’s go out to the family