Balloon Release at Josiah's Funeral

Letter from Daddy

One of the greatest teachers in my life has been my 5 year old daughter Sarah. I am fortunate to add another to this select group - my son Josiah. As a father, hearing the news that you are going to be having a son, you begin to have visions of teaching him how to play baseball, football and hockey. You set about a plan to show him how to ride a bike and how to catch fish. You dream about the tree forts you will construct, the sandcastles you will build and the skills he will learn from you along the way. Little did I know that my relationship with Josiah would be reversed and that I would be the student and Josiah the teacher. Throughout Josiah's Journey he has taught me countless lessons of which I would like to share a few-

• Not to judge others, but instead focus on your own choices.
• Gather all the facts, but never forget to hope.
• When you feel fear, courage will find you.
• Pray long enough to say thank you for blessings already received.
• It is OK to cry, but it is also OK to laugh.
• If the odds are 1000 to 1, someone has to be that one.
• Life is not about longevity, it is about living.
• When you feel like you have all the answers, ask another question.
• When you think that you've got it tough, there will always be someone willing to trade places with you.
• Your critics can become your greatest advocates.
• The support of family and friends is only second to the love and dedication of your spouse.
• The marvels of medicine are nothing without a great team of caring people.
• The toughest questions make you think about what is important.
• Inside every great Doctor there is first an incredible person.
• When something becomes routine, it is a good idea to stop and ask why?
• When you don't know what to say, it is OK to be silent.
• True love is only realized when you are willing to let go.
• And sometimes the biggest gifts come wrapped in the smallest packages.

I know as time goes by I will be able to reflect back and add to the lessons that Josiah has taught me and I will always appreciate Josiah's Journey. Josiah, instead of say hello and goodbye in what feels like a single breath, I would prefer to say "See you later son." Later in time we can take that bike ride together, go fishing in a river and maybe play some hockey or a game of catch - a time when we can sit for awhile, relax and catch up, when we can share our experiences and what we have learned from them. Until that time comes I just want to say, "Take care of yourself" and know that I love you Josiah. Love Daddy

Josiah's Journey

In memory of Josiah and his journey we are directing donations made in his honour to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph's Health Care, London. Any gift is greatly appreciated, and can be made to: St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation c/o Scott and Shari Morash 101 Goodwin Drive, Guelph, ON Canada N1L 1s5 Telephone: 519-780-2564. Charitable donation receipts will be issued from St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation, London, ON.

Announcement

Josiah Scott Morash, the beloved son of Shari and Scott Morash and dear brother of big sister Sarah, was born on July 28th at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario. On this same day, from the loving arms of his Mother and Father, Josiah peacefully entered into the hands of God. Forever grateful will be the hearts of his family to have held and been touched by an Angel. Josiah will be sadly missed by his precious family and all those that loved and cared for him along his journey.

Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Josiah on Thursday August 6th, at 1:00 pm at the Wall-Custance Funeral Home and Chapel, 206 Norfolk Street, Guelph, Ontario. Father Dennis Noon will officiate the service. A reception will follow the service in the Wall-Custance family reception centre.


“Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray... Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19: 13-14


Thank You...

Thank you to our incredible health care providers for their unwavering support for Josiah and our Family: Dr. Ian MacPhee, Jeannette and Louise – Family Physician, Jacqueline(Jackie) Pierre-Louis – Geneticist, London Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Herschel Rosenberg – Cardiologist, London Health Sciences Centre, Dr. Frasier Golding - Cardiologist, The Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. Glenn Van Arsdell – Head of the Cardiovascular Surgery, The Hospital For Sick Children, Dr. Susan Blaser – Head of the Department of Radiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. David Chitayat – Head of the Department of Genetics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Dr. Nancy Clegg and Dr. Ben Soloman - The Carter's Research Centre for Holoprosencephaly, Scottish Rite Hospital in Texas, Living with Trisomy 13 Association, Heather Urquhart – Advanced Practice Nurse, Palliative Care and Bereavement Care Service, The Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. Christine Newman – Head of Pediatric Palliative Care, The Hospital for Sick Children, Assistant Professor of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Dr. Henry Roukema – Neonatologist, St. Joseph's Health Care London, Dr. Kevin Coughlin – Neonatologist, St. Joseph's Health Care London; Bioethics Education Consultant, Professor of Paediatrics, University of Western Ontario, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Team, St. Joseph's Health Care London, Rusty McRae – Social Worker, St. Joseph's Health Care London, God Bless Lisa Pearlman – Nurse Practitioner, Children's Care, Children's Hospital, London, Ralph Hale – Spiritual Care, St. Joseph's Health Care London and God Bless Dr. Barbara De Vrijer – Fetal Medicine Expert, St. Joseph's Health Care London, for giving us the incredible gift of seeing our son born alive.

Josiah's Birthday

Our Blessed baby boy, Josiah Scott Morash, was born on Tuesday July 28th at 8:40pm at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, Ontario. He weighed 4 pounds, 4 ounces and was 17 inches long. He had the most beautiful curly auburn-red hair. His eyes were the largest, brightest, gemstone turquoise-blue. His skin was fair, so soft and sweet-smelling. His fingers were long and beautiful. He had a precious little butterfly mouth and tiny little ears. He had the look of a wise man and the wings of an Angel.

As Josiah was lovingly placed into our arms, his father and I cried, “He’s Beautiful...He’s Beautiful...He’s Beautiful...We Love You!” Through our tears of Joy we thanked our precious Doctor de Vrijer for caring so deeply for us, for Josiah and for giving us the gift of seeing our son born alive. We held Josiah, kissed him and loved him.

From the arms of his Mother and Father, Josiah peacefully entered into the hands of God. Forever grateful will be our hearts to have held and been touched by an Angel.
Our time with Josiah was so short, yet his life so complete. Josiah’s journey had a beautiful purpose here on earth. For 37 weeks and 5 days Josiah brought more love and joy to our family than we could ever imagine.

Thank you God for Blessing us with Josiah, for entrusting us to be his parents and for filling our hearts with so much love, devotion and hope. We pray that you watch over our Angel son until we can all be together again.

Anxiously Awaiting!

We are in the labouring process tonight! Josiah will be born likely sometime tomorrow, Tuesday July 28th at St. Joseph's Hospital in London. Our family is all starting to gather together in London. Thank you to everyone for your love and support. We will try to keep our blog updated as things progress.
Please say a prayer for Josiah's safe arrival!
Scott, Shari and Sarah

Josiah's Story

Josiah (yōshīyāh)
In the Bible, Josiah means God Heals, God Supports, and God Saves. There could never be a more appropriate, or meaningful, name for our son. God heals in many ways, often ways that we do not always understand. Through our love for Josiah, we have healed in many ways. There is no greater Gift from God, than to be Blessed with a child bearing the Gift of pure, unconditional love.
Our very special and precious baby boy, Josiah, has a very rare chromosome disorder known as Trisomy 13 or Patau's syndrome. Trisomy 13 is a genetic disorder that involves an extra copy of the 13th chromosome in every cell of his body. Because of this genetic disorder, Josiah has many challenges including a congenital heart defect and semi-lobar holoprosencephaly (failure of the forebrain to properly divide). So far, Josiah has beat all of the odds to be here today.
We are continually blessed by the strength of our child. His willingness to endure so many physically challenges is an inspiration to us all. Every day we spend together is the Greatest Gift from God. We are thankful and grateful for all that Josiah brings to our Lives. Please join us in praying for him, and for his Precious Life. Shari, Scott and Sarah

A little while longer....

We are back home in Guelph for a little while longer! Josiah is holding his own at the 5th percentile. He has even put on a little bit of weight. Today he weighs in just above 4 pounds. We are so grateful to have this time together and for Josiah to be kept safe inside. Thank you for all the love, support and prayers for Josiah.