JrMints.com - Paula

Jayde is incredible. He is a person who attracts people to him. Jayde is outgoing and eager to meet people.
He plays guitar really well and just started his senior year in high school.

Jory Dayne

September 28, 1988 I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.
Jory was a smart, beautiful child. One of those babies that charmed everyone who met him.
He was the center of my life for over a year.


Jory at about 10 months old	Me at about 11 months old

Jory died when he was 13 months old. On October 25th, 1989, I lost Jory to meningitis.
At the time Jory contracted the disease, there were no immunizations available for children his age... the shot was due at 15 months, and Jory was only 13 months old. The shot that might have saved Jory is now given at 3 months instead of 15.

Jory died of Meningococcal meningitis. It is a horrible disease that gives no warning at all and if not caught in the first hours, is most certainly fatal to young children.
When Jory died I lived far from any type of support groups. I found a group called Pen-Parents. Pen-Parents works to link parents who have suffered a loss with other parents who have suffered a similar, if not exact, loss.
Compassionate Friends is another support system for bereaved parents. At the time CF was basically centered around parents who had suffered a miscarriage or early infant death.

I don't mind talking about Jory and his death, it helps to keep him with me. I wanted so badly to know that other people had gone through what I had. I found that writing was the best release for me.

If you have never heard the song "He's My Son" you should definitely find a copy and listen to it. Here are the lyrics:

I'm down on my knees again tonight
I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right
See there is a boy that needs Your help
I've done all that I can do myself
His mother is tired
I'm sure You can understand
Each night as he sleeps
She goes in to hold his hand
And she tries not to cry
As the tears fill her eyes

Can You hear me?
Am I getting through tonight?
Can You see him?
Can You make him feel all right?
If You can hear me
Let me take his place somehow
See, he's not just anyone
He's my son

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep
I dream of the boy he'd like to be
I try to be strong and see him through
But God who he needs right now is You
Let him grow old
Live life without this fear
What would I be
Living without him here
He's so tired and he's scared
Let him know that You're there

Many of you know that I am absolutely crazy about music by Keith Urban. I think he is incredibly talented and I am totally addicted to his music. Today (12/18/04) while thumbing through a magazine, I found information about a benefit concert that he is putting on to help fund research for meningitis. I immediately began crying. My heart hurt because I had no idea the disease had gotten to the point that it was recognized as having such a need. I had no idea that such a foundation existed and I have always wished there were more I could do. And also because I enjoy Keith Urban's music so much and I was surprised to see that he had a connection to such a rare disease and felt moved to help. I donated $20 today and I plan to start donating on a regular basis.

I would love to attend the benefit concert, but it is sold out. The tickets being auctioned off are currently at $2600.00. I simply cannot do that. :) I will cheer them on from afar and hope that the money raised will spare other children the pain my baby Dayne went through.. and spare other parents the daily sadness that so many who have lost children go through.

My Kids

Jayde Aaron Marshall
(yes, two middle names)

Jory Dayne

My Kids

Jayde Aaron Marshall (yes, two middle names)

Jory Dayne

Jayde Aaron Marshall
(yes, two middle names)