"A Triumphant Spirit"...all because of one...amazing child.

Payton's Tiny Foot and her daddy's thumb~2003

Have you ever walked in this life feeling alone? Do you ever wonder if what your going through is happening only to you. Ever feel like your walking in shoes only made for you…down a path never ventured on before? In 2003, when our daughter Payton was born, I found myself feeling this way. Life was not turning out how “I had planned” it too. News that was mind-numbing, being delivered at what should have been the most exciting time of mine and my husbands life. And a burden placed so heavy on our shoulders it nearly crushed us. And all the while trying so hard to strike a balance of celebrating our daughter’s life with grieving the anticipated loss of it. Two experiences that seemed so unfairly paired. But then God brings someone into your life that reminds you…your not alone. There are others, walking in your similar shoes. You do have someone to reach out to. Someone who can relate to your world. God did just that when he brought into my life, The Newport Family. Scott, Penni, Noah, Chelsea and Evan were brought into my life through the Noonan Syndrome Support Group (www.noonansyndrome.org). Penni and I discovered one another through their on-line email forum, while searching for hope in coping with our children’s diagnosis of Noonan Syndrome. We found hope in one another. Evan and Payton were born 15 months apart. And the Newport’s had already been where we were entering. It was through the forum that Penni and I became friends walking this journey together. We emailed, occasionally talked on the phone, sent one another tokens of love as gifts and found some peace in one another. Through each other we knew we were not alone in how our children shared such similar medical issues.

Payton Hadley Bazzocco May 28, 2003 ~ October 23, 2003

Over the years our experiences took different paths. But tragically we are walking similar paths once again. Their sweet, amazing miracle Evan , went home to be with Jesus on November 27, 2009. Over the years of Evan’s short, but triumphant life…Scott Newport, Evan’s dad, has written down many thoughts, insights and feelings. He has shared them with the masses, all in the name of a father’s love. His “Daily Thoughts” have always been tender, heartfelt stories of life with his son Evan. He continues to write his, “Daily Thoughts” as he copes with the great loss of Evan.

Scott has already changed the world, by simply living as Evan’s dad. One of the tributes to Evan’s life that Scott has accomplished is making children’s furniture out of old, imperfect, unwanted wood. Scott makes the furniture with strong, yet tender hands. And gives it to others out of love and respect for Evan. Scott and Penni’s story…Evan’s story…the Newport’s story is amazing. They bring meaning to what it looks like to live triumphantly. To persevere, to grow in spirit and in character. It breaks my heart repeatedly, as I grieve the loss of Evan…along with Payton. I rest in knowing I will hold Payton again someday and finally meet sweet Evan face to face. Meanwhile, I am asking for two things: prayer and voting. Please pray for my friends, The Newport’s, as they cope with living this life without their precious Evan by their side. I pray you ask for strength, peace, comfort and for God’s love to be seen in the valley they are walking in. Please take a moment and view and vote for a video that was made shortly before Evan’s death. A video that demonstrates, the power of the human spirit to triumphant in life’s overwhelming challenges. If he win’s you have a chance to make a difference in the lives of other families affected by Noonan Syndrome.

http://extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/#/quilt

(If your unable to access Scott’s video by this link, you can do a search for his video on the site http://www.extraordinarymeasuresthemovie.com/
type in the search spot for Evan Newport.  It will be the image with Scott's hands holding a wooden mallet.) Thank you for your love and support of this amazing family.

~An article written about Evan's death. 
http://www.annarbor.com/news/7-year-old-evan-newtons-short-life-brought-hope-to-others/

~A beautiful slide show of The Newport Family...just before Evan's death. 
http://www.footprints.myshowit.com/newport/index.html

Our little chair that Scott made for Payton before she died, 2003.  Her little sister Avery and little brother Benjamin now enjoy sitting in it.  .   

Thank you Scott, Penni, Noah, Chelsea and always Evan...for inspiring me.  Encouraging me.  And sharing with me your sweet little boy Evan.  I can only imagine what those two kiddos are up to in heaven.  I can almost see them now...running around in heaven with their cute little blonde curls and sweet, spunky spirits.  Eating vanilla ice cream cones (another blog entry for another time...about Payton) playing with Evan's favorite toy the flashlight...and keeping the Angels on their toes.  And meeting up for a game of hide n seek with many other sweet children, whose wonderful parents have also been brought into my life....  Thank you God for bringing good out of tragedy.  In the wonderful friendships and people you've blessed me with...so none of us have to walk this sometimes, lonely, journey alone.