Nature Boy

There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy
And sad of eye
But very wise
Was he

And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings
This he said to me
"The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved
In return

Ellen and Dan:
Dana, Ronit's sister, heard much about Jahmair and asked that I post the poem above.

VARIATIONS OF A SONG

Jahmair's elaboration of Bah Bah Black Sheep

Bah Bah Black Sheep

Have you any wool

Yes sir yes sir three bags full

One for the master one for the dame and

one for the little boy who lives down the lane

Moo Moo Black Cow

Have you any milk

Yes sir yes sir three pails full

One for the master one for the dame and

one for the little boy who lives down the lane

Neh Neh Black horse

Have you any hay

Yes sir yes sir three bails full

One for the master one for the dame and

one for the little boy who lives down the lane

One Small Voice

One small voice can
Teach the world a song
Start with one small
Voice till another
Sings along
And then you'll feel the
Music growing full and
Sure and strong
One small voice can
Teach the world a song
- Elmo

I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine, he said,
For you to love the while he lives and mourn when he is dead

It may be six or seven years or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me.

He’ll bring his charm to gladden you, but should his stay be brief,
You’ll have his lovely memories, as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from Earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked the wide world over in my search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd life’s lanes I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take him back again.

I fancied that I heard them say: Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy thy child bring, the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness: we’ll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we’ve known forever grateful stay.

But should the angels call for him much sooner than we’d planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

By Edgar Guest

Our Butterfly

A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam.
And for a brief moment its glory and beauty
belong to our world.
But then it flies on again,
and though we wish it could have stayed,
we feel so lucky to have seen it.

Ellen and Dan,
I met Jahmair only once, but he greeted me with a warm kiss and hug and I saw instantly what a sweet, loving soul he was. I know he was an incredible gift of joy to you both and you gave him more happiness than he had ever known. How lucky you all were to share that precious time together. He will always be loved and remembered by everyone he touched in his life. Our thoughts are with you, Lana and Ed

He Was Very Special

Dear Ellen and Dan

From the moment we met your son, we knew that he was very special. He radiated kindness, sweetness and joy. There was an inner light that shone from his eyes. Our daughter Audrey took an immediate liking to Jahmair and a friendship was born. At camp, Jahmair and Audrey liked to dance together, give each other hugs and hold hands. We will never forget Jahmair -- that wonderful little guy who brightened every day. - The Goldberg Family

A Quiet Moment

You are so beautiful to me

From Celia, Larry & Max

Jahmair you touched all of us with your special smile and huge personality. Your warmth and enthusiastic play moved Max to want to see you at any opportunity. We (Larry, Max and I,) were honored to have been a small part of your way too short time.
Celia

Our hearts are with you.

Ellen & Dan,

We are so sorry to hear about your loss. I am happy that Jahmair brought such love and happiness to your lives and I know you will treasure him forever. We had such a great time with him when he came to celebrate Jalyn's and Jahsiah's birthday. Today, in his honor, we played on the water slide. Our prayers are with you both.

Love,

Jenean, Danny, Jalyn, & Jahsiah

Kathryn said

Ellen and Dan,
I am so sorry for your loss. From your emails and photos, I can see what great happiness he brought to your life and what joy and love you brought to his.

I am a landscaper. I did a lot of work at Ellen & Dan's house last year and had the honor of hanging with Jahmair for a week or so. He helped me water plants, spread grass seed, and look for cool bugs. Such a curious, imaginative little man! We played ice cream truck by turning the bike upside down, (he always had the bigger ice cream cone). Always smiling, so polite, always wanting the spot lite.
Jahmairs mom & dad are amazing people. Always giving him the best and making sure he was a part of everything.
I just had a daughter of my own and ask Jahmair to bless her with all his amazing qualities! He will be honored and sorely missed.

Love you Always Jay,
Melissa, Stephen, & Kaeleigh

Liz See said

We will never understand why our charmingly witty & intelligent young Jahmair had to leave us at such a young age. He had such a presence about him that touched everyone he came in contact with. He was gentle and kind, and always ready to be a friend. I remember him sitting and "reading" Spot books in the library 1 day, impressing all that walked by. I also remember carrying him out screaming a few times because he didn't want to leave!

Jahmair was my adventure every week. I never knew what to expect because he was always changing, learning, and blossoming. He was so blessed to have Ellen and Dan for parents as they put their whole beings into this little guy. As much as Jahmair gave to them, they gave to Jahmair. So as the famous quote goes...

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child." ...unknown author

SEPTEMBER 13, 2009 4:25 PM

Truly an Angel

I feel truly blessed to have met Jahmair in the last year of his precious life. I spent 4 days a week with him having fun and making great memories. He would put a smile on my face each day we spent together. He's truly an angel. I will miss him each and everyday that goes by. I am deeply saddened...but the memories of good times we shared will live on in my heart forever. Sorry that you had to go so soon my little buddy... but I guess heaven needed an angel.

JCC Family

Jahmair was a presence at the JCC. Everyone he met was touched by him. Please add comments here for Ellen and Dan.

Friends of Jahmair

This blog is in honor of Jahmair.
All are invited to either post a remembrance or leave a comment.
Thank you to everyone who has already.

Miss you

The twinkle in your eye warmed my heart. I will miss the sound of your laughter and the sweetness of your smile. You touched the lives of so many in your short stay with us. We will always remember you.
- Anne P.

Jahmair's Bravery

Almost two years ago I met this little guy. To watch him adjust to his new home was a wonderful experience. Seeing him become part of Ellen and Dans' life was a joy. They quickly became a family. I feel blessed to have been part of his life. I will always remember his smile but mostly his bravery. I will hold him close to my heart.

Honored

I had the privilege of meeting Jahamir this past May and it was quickly apparent how special and happy he was, and how loved he was by Ellen and Daniel and their friends and family. He definitely knew how to make a big impression on everyone that he met. Whenever I came to see Jahmair it was the highlight of my week. My thoughts are with you Ellen and Dan. Thank you for sharing your memories with us. This is a beautiful site.

Liz M

Untitled (Heart Stealer No.1)

Little Friend, Big Spirit

I was honored to know you since birth, worked with many to keep you safe and God willing you landed in the hands of two angels. It was here I witnessed you blossom and thrive within your home filled with love and security. Mom and Dad watched over you and love you and now you will do the same for them. You are the gift that will keep giving.
Julie D. LFC

To Ellen & Dan

Thank you for bringing Jahmair into our lives. For making room for him in your lives. For taking that leap knowing it was filled with potential pitfalls and heartbreak. You made that little boy so happy, and in turn, all of those who knew him. -Liz & Matt & Jess

We had the chance to meet Jahmair

Andrew and I were so honored to have had the chance to meet Jahmair's smiling face. He was so outgoing, funny and clever...coming out many times to say good-night to "Drew" so as to avoid bedtime! And he could play ball!
He was blessed to have people like you as his parents.
Our love and prayers are with you....Jean, Dean, Andrew and Michael

My Buddy

Jahmair had the most character that I've ever seen in a three year old. He always knew what he wanted, and if he didn't, he just said "yes". He had an awesome collection of hats, and I don't think I ever met anyone, young or old, who was so good at sharing. I wish we could have more time to share. I'll miss him. -Jess Dow

Jahmair - The perfect neighbor

How lucky we were to have a neighbor like Jahmair. He was always smiling with his glasses slipping down his nose and wearing a hat a few sizes to big. The moment we met him we were in love. He would come over and tell us what the right thing to do or say on any subject. He would tell Alex the right way to share and correct him when he wasn't doing a good job. If only for a short time, my kids had the little boy across the street whose house they could walk to. It was the friendship we all had as children and the ones we hoped our kids would have. We talked about when they were older and Alex would walk over and ask Jahmair to come out and play. He loved baby Wes and was so gentle and sweet to the littlest Woodworth. Alex and Jahmair fought like cats and dogs, but Alex loved his pal across the street and always included him when he spoke of his friends and who he would have at a party.

We will miss Jahmair and his kind, gentle spirit.

To Jahmair

Your heart wasn't big enough, but it was HUGE. You and your big brown eyes. The world is dimmer now without your wide smile and mischievous laugh. You will always be loved. You will always be in our hearts. You will never be forgotten. - Liz, Matt & Jess