Dear Annie entered into the presence of Jesus this morning at 7:30 a.m., after succumbing to a sudden infection and resulting bacterial sepsis. She fought a good fight, and her medical team gave their all. We are heartbroken, but our comfort is knowing that she is with the Lord.
We feel your prayers,
Jean
You saw my body as it was formed.
All the days planned for me
were written in your book before I was one day old. Psalm 139:16
30 comments:
Heartbroken too.
Joan
Dear sweet Sullivans,
Recently I have been more fervently praying that God would completely heal Annie. Of course I meant here on earth and I am profoundly sorry for her absence. As sad as I am, my heart is rejoicing that she is indeed healed. Still, that doesn't make your loss any easier. Please know that my heart is with you.
Just today I was telling someone about Annie and your family's amazing faithfulness, when many, if not most would have been ready to: "curse God and die". I admire you all so very much. I am enclosing the lyrics to a song by the Bill Gaither Trio that I have taken comfort in over the years. Please know that I am not comparing the loss of a patient with the loss of one's beloved child. But I do hope you find some solace in the words.
More homesick for heaven than ever.
More continuing love and prayers than ever,
Terri W
Jesus I Heard You Had A Big House
Jesus, I heard you had a big house,
Where I could have a room of my own.
And Jesus, I heard you had a big yard,
Big enough to let a kid roam.
I heard you had clothes in your closet,
Just the right size that I wear,
And Jesus, I heard if I give you my heart,
then You would let me go there.
Jesus, I heard about meal time,
when all your children come to eat,
I heard you had a great big table
Where every kid can have his own seat.
Jesus, they said there will be plenty
of good things in heaven to share,
And Jesus, I'd just like to tell you
I sure would love to go there.
Jesus, I heard in your big house
there's plenty of love to go around.
I heard there's always singing and laughter
to fill the place with happy sounds.
And I've been thinking that a friend
who would give me all that he's got
Before I even have met Him
Well, He sure must love me a lot.
And Jesus, I'd just like to tell you,
I sure do love you a lot!
Dear Bill & Jean,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you. May you find comfort in knowing that Annie is with Jesus, and may you feel his presence during this most difficult time.
Love,
Audrey McCauley
My heart aches for your loss of sweet little Annie. Even as we grieve for her, we can rejoice that her healing is now complete and she is dancing and singing once again. My prayers are with you.
Sue Powell
I am so heartbroken to hear that Annie is not with us any longer. I enjoyed the time I had with her and was always hoping for the best. She was a very brave and smart girl of whom I will never forget.
Dear Sullivan Family,
I am one of the many who have loved Annie anonymously and followed her story through Jean's words these past four years. My heart is broken too and it is only the knowledge that Jean and Bill will be comforted by the thought of Annie running into the arms of our sweet Lord that brings peace. Peace be with you all, and Alleluia for a life that will never be forgotten.
Love,
California Friends
Jean, Bill and family,
I am so sorry. Thank you so much for sharing Annie's life and her story with all of us. You are amazing parents and grandparents. What a lucky little girl Annie was!
Dusty
Bill, Jean, Taylor, Peter and Cris and Iggie, Andy and Naomi, David, Jack, and Olivia,
Praying for all of you as you go through the grieving process. As Mom wrote when she was facing death and referring to our faith in God's faithfulness, "this is where the rubber meets the road".
She may be giving Annie words of wisdom now!
Matthew 5:4 (Amplified Bible)
"Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!
Dear LORD,
Comfort the Sullivan family with your favor and grace!
Amen and Amen
I am so sorry...
I am a friend of Gretchen Hanna, and have been hearing of (and praying for!) your sweet Annie...
May the God of comfort be unceasingly at your side in the days and months to come. Please know that I will continue to be in prayer for you.
With Love,
Kellie
North Carolina
Thank you for sharing her w/us. We're sharing our Annie stories & loving on you, fiercely! Xxxooo
I love you Jean, and I love Annie. I am picturing her tiny hand in Jesus', and she is well and whole at last.
My heart goes out to you, and I will pray you through this next part of the journey.
Jean, Bill and family-
I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss your Annie stories. It will be strange not to be checking in to see what prayer request is needed as it's been part of my regular routine for so long now. I pray Jesus arms may be wrapped around you all. I know he will say well done good and faithful servants, you have loved well.
Heather Kreeck
Prayers for your sweet little Annie. Hold her memory close to your heart and she will always be with you - until you all are reunited one day in Heaven.
God Bless you folks. We hurt with you.
- A new Addison'S Patient
I attend Mars Hill Church and only found out about Annie yesterday, I am praying for your family ... “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 I pray that you feel that peace and God's Presence as you go forward ... in Jesus name, Amen.
Jean,
Annie's inspiring story is never-ending, as will be the place she has in our hearts. As a mother, I am devastated for you, as a follower of Christ, I feel hope at for day of our reunion with those we have loved so dearly; as a patient with Addison's I admire your strength in meeting battle after battle as if you were facing Goliath over and over; my heart aches for you, but rejoices in knowing the hands of Jesus are a soft place to start eternity in, and we know Jesus welcomes the little children most of all.
Please keep writing and sharing, when you feel like it.
From my family to yours, with unity and love,
Lana C.
Jean,
Annie brought tremendous joy to all of us. She always had that special twinkle in her eye that was full of curiosity and playfulness. I feel fortunate to have gotten to know Annie over the last few months. Her memory and spirit will always be with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Brenda
Oh I am so sorry -- we are praying for you and we love you. We have many memories of you all and of dear Annie too. I remember one thing that you said when Annie was first in the hospital, "we do not fear death but we value life." May resurrection power sustain you and help you to know that we grieve with you and we look forward to Annie being part of our own welcoming committee. We love you and the Jesus who will continue to sustain you. Paul and Kathy
When I heard today I was so sad to hear about your loss. Thank you for sharing Annie's journey with us, I loved cheering her on through the struggles she faced. I am praising God that she is fully healed and running and jumping with Jesus today. I'm praying for you!!
Suzanna
I awoke from a dream at 3:14 this morning....in it, I was driving past Annie's school, and there she was, wearing red shorts and a white t-shirt, giggling and doing cartwheels over and over and over again...
Annie was such an exquisite, if sometimes feisty little girl (...my favorite part), and I feel so lucky to have known her. It was because of Annie that I got to know you, Jean, and through you, your wonderful family... for that I will be forever grateful to your beautiful daughter.
Much love,
Rob, Amber & Molly
Words can not express my sadness when I heard of Annie's passing Friday morning. Memories of working with Annie during the last school year and summer flashed before me. I have such amazing memories of working with Annie, and you Jean. I learned so much from both of you, and I will forever be grateful. Sitting in the ball pit with Annie during ESY, Annie reaching out with her hands to stand up for the first time and her precious and contagious smile will always be wonderful memories that I will hold close to my heart. You have been, and will be in my thoughts and prayers as you and your family find your way through this difficult time. Thank you for letting me be part of Annie's life.
Kim V.
Jean and family,
Although it is difficult to accept that your beautiful little girl will no longer be seen walking the halls of school... On her alert days, NO ONE could resist her 'Hi'. I would especially melt at that little all-knowing smirk of hers. She will absolutely be missed, and I feel blessed to have shared a school year in her class. Like you, I will take comfort in the freedom she now has to be with the Lord.
Love and Prayers, Francie C.
Oh- Sullivan Family.I am so sorry and heartbroken that you can no longer physically hold and cuddle with your love bug. Annie now has fully become the Angel that blessed us so much. We will miss her and how she reminded us of joy, courage and persistance. You all have become closer, dug deeper and stretched your muscles of faith more than any family I've been around. It has been a blessing to be a part of Annie's journey.
Much Love, Maurita Colburn
Dear Sullivans,
I had the great pleasure of getting to know your precious daughter Annie this year at school. She had such a wonderful personality and was such a wonderful child. Many days I would see Annie on one of her walks through the school and would stop to say hello many days I would get a smile and others I would even get a Hiya! I know that she truly loved her family and how she looked forward to spending time with her older siblings. To see her face light up when she was asked about Livie. It was truly a gift to know her and my heart hurts for your loss of your beautiful little girl. I find comfort in knowing that Annie is with Jesus, but hurt for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Merriah Sample, School Counselor
Sullivan Family, I feel so blessed to have had Annie the sunshine that brightened my day at Forest View. I see many students come and go during the day, but it was always heartwarming to see Annie and get the "Hiya". She always seemed to capture the hearts of the students and staff as she would pass them in the hall. She was so precious and made everyone just fall in love with her. Like so many, she will always have a place in my heart. I have an image of Annie running and playing in a grassy meadow with God, not having a care because now she is home. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you
Nurse Kim
Forest View Elementary
Dear Sullivans,
I am so sorry.
Words escape me.
Tracey Silla
Dear Sullivan Family,
I am a teacher at Forest View and I wanted to let you know how much Annie will be missed. She was a ray of sunshine that brightened the day of all those she encountered. She always had a big smile on her face whenever I saw her. My students enjoyed seeing Annie at school and saying hi to her. I am so deeply sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Warmly,
C.C. Willey
Dear Bill and Jean,
The previous posts are a testament to the fact that little Annie cast a giant shadow - all the way here to Lombard as a matter of fact.
My heart hurts for you all. Praying for the peace that passes all understanding. I'll be in touch.
Love,
Beth
Dear Sullivan's,
Annie and Caitlyn spent two years together at Mill Creek before moving over to ForestView at the beginning of this year. I remember many times seeing the girls on a mat, or in the bean bag chair looking at books and playing with toys. One of their 1:1's was always close by, because you never knew when one might throw a toy at the other. I will never forget the deep eye contact they would give each other when Caitlyn walked over to greet her. I have enjoyed getting to know you, Jean, through SEPAC and leadership. It has been wonderful to learn more about Annie. Annie will be greatly missed, and my family's prayers are with yours.
prayers,
Rebecca, Eric, Caitlyn and Gunner
I keep coming back to check this blog...I can't help myself. What a special girl, from an amazing family, created by an incredible God.
Your kind words, memories and prayers are so comforting. Thank you all so much.
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