It is with a flood of emotions that I share this news...
Just before 2:00 this afternoon Shanna posted on her twitter account "Layla went to play with the angels early this morning. Rest in peace precious Layla. 11/26/2007 - 3/9/2010".
I am without words, in sorrow. Yet, at this moment, I am also in pure celebration of Layla's life, as short as it may have been. This precious child has literally touched the lives of MILLIONS! She has made us better moms, better children, better wives, better people. She is God's angel that was on short loan for us here on Earth. She spread His word, her faith, and most of all, SO MUCH LOVE.
Shanna, our love is pouring your way. Your family is in our prayers for strength. Layla, I have no doubt that you are in a glorious place, with a warm, warm welcome! I don't know of a child more loved by so, so many. As we all move forward with our lives, and the twitter buzz dies down, I want you to know that you will absolutely never be forgotten! You have touched the world in an incredible way, and I will be forever grateful.
Amen. My heart is breaking.
ReplyDeleteWELL SAID, AMEN!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for her precious mother. The sorrow she must be feeling now is indescribable. But the joy, also. Her angel always was an angel and now she's playing with angels in GOD's sight. The joy of that homecoming must have been incredible!! GOD bless you and keep you in HIS love. You are in my prayers
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear of Layla's passing, but I take comfort in the fact that she is no longer suffering and finally at peace.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace baby girl....
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog post...amazing how many people she has touched. What an amazing little girl she was.
ReplyDeleteNow she's with me, always with me. You sweet, tiny dancer, Layla. You will always be with me in my heart.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is with Layla's family today.
ReplyDeleteI read this with tears streaming down my face. God is blessed to have such a sweet baby in heaven with him. She has touched so many lives in her short little life! My heart breaks for her family! God Bless you Layla Grace!!!!
ReplyDeletei don't know this family, and it was through your site i stumbled upon their story. i thank you for doing all you've done for the family. and i pray for strength for shanna and ryan...but esp. for jenna and claire. i hope through their grief they are able to celebrate that layla and her story have made the world a better place!
ReplyDeleteLayla Grace has touched so many hearts, so many people. You are correct, she was God's angel on earth and she taught us so many things. I am heartbroken that she is gone from us, but she will never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteMy heart aches for the Marsh family. This little girl touched so many people. It's so hard to understand why she had to be in so much pain, but she is now completely pain free, and "playing with the angels." I'm so incredibly grateful for Layla Grace. She was so young, but did so much good while she was on this earth. Rest in Peace sweet Layla.
ReplyDeleteLayla Grace's story has changed me as a person. She was an incredible, strong, beautiful little girl who's life has taught us so many lessons. I am filled with utter sadness and my thoughts are with her family including her sisters. Layla has taught me to be a better Mother and to never EVER take anything for granted. I am just so grateful for what I have that I cherish every second now. All of this is thanks to Layla. Though it has taken a tragic story to make us all realise that our life really is a gift and that it's not all that bad really, you just can't forget that your renewed happiness and appreciation for life is due to the death of a little girl. Children sadly die every day, though none of them will come as close to uniting the world as Layla Grace did. Rest with the angels now sweet baby. You've done all could do on earth and now you will be rewarded in heaven. Millions have followed your story. We will all never forget you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, precious little fighter! My heart breaks for her family and I pray every day for their peace. Rest In Peace Layla Grace, you are truly one of God's angels.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. Saddened by the news yet rejoicing because she is no longer in pain and is able to look into the eyes of her creator. Sweet Layla changed the world.
ReplyDeleteI am in tears....RIP sweet baby girl....you touched so many peoples..
ReplyDeleteWe will never forget you <3
Like all the others that followed, Layla's story, life and fight touched my heart. She has changed how I do handle things everyday, I listen to my teenagers more, I hug all my kids tighter, I rejoice at good news. Most of all I realized that God really puts angels on earth to aid in His work. Thank you Marsh family for sharing your lives with you and for bringing Layla Grace into my heart. May God Bless you and be with you in the tough times ahead.. I will forever have a place in my heart for your daughter.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace sweet Layla, you will never be forgotten. I know you are looking down from above and smiling at your family and many friends....
ReplyDeleteRest in peace sweet angel. We are saying prayers for her family.
ReplyDeletesweet layla, how greatful i am to have followed your story, how sad i am that you are gone, i am not sorry for you as you are in heaven with the angels free of pain, but for momma and daddy and your siblings how sad will they be, but they were so lucky to have you. one of my best friends is giving birth today and as the joy of new life comes in the sorrow of a life lost is so heartbreaking rest in peace, your family are in our prayers
ReplyDeleteTo the family, I flash back to the wee hours in the morning 5 1/2 years ago and I feel your hurt in her dying and your joy in knowing she is with Jesus. Such an overwhelming mix of emotion. God's grace and peace will sustain you, and memories of her beautiful smile and the feel of her in your arms will forever remind you of how deeply she touched the world. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet, beautiful child with a beautiful family that I pray know that millions of us are thinking of them at this tragic time. Layla, you have shown me how to be a better big sister to my baby sister, Lauren.
ReplyDeleteMay you rest in peace Layla; you were clearly loved by so many. May your family take peace in the love that you have created around the world and know that you will never, ever be forgotten.
God bless angel, sweet dreams now
x x x
I was so hoping for a last minute miracle but am also grateful that sweet Layla Grace is no longer in pain. My heart and prayers are with the Marsh family. May they find peace in meaning in the tradegy.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read this. :(
ReplyDeleteOur prayers are with your little family...and with your other 2 girls. May God keep you in his hands and hold you tight at this time..Layla will always be your family's Guardian Angel.
ReplyDeleteRest IN Peace Layla Grace...
"I'll lend you for a little while,
ReplyDeletea child of mine" God said,
"for you to love the while she lives,
and mourn for when she's dead.
It may be two or three short years,
or twenty-two or three,
but will you, till I call her back,
take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you,
and should her stay be brief,
you'll have her lovely memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she 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 teacher's true,
and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.
Now will you give her all your love?
Nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to call,
to take her back again?"
God fancied he heard the parent's say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joy the child shall bring,
the risk of grief I'll run.
I'll shelter her with tenderness,
I'll love her while I may,
and for the happiness I've known
forever grateful I'll stay.
But should the angels call for her,
much sooner than I planned,
I'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand."
I hope her parents find solace with the fact so many of us were touched by Layla Grace's story and her strength. God has that child now and will keep her perfect until her parents get to see her again. My heart is broken for them and I know I'm not the only one shedding tears as I read this update.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't of said it any better. AMEN
ReplyDeleteI am praying for the family in there time of need.It is a very hard situation in which i have experienced with myself it is just the thought of knowing they are no longer hurting that helps you get by day by day.
ReplyDeletemy preacher said it best when he said, "understand this, there is no lag time, you take your last breath here and your next breath is in heaven". That brings me peace, she left here and went to be with her Creator immediately.
ReplyDeletethis makes my heart hurt...my thoughts are with her and her family.
ReplyDeleteMy heart breaks for the family, I am speechless & feel numb. I was sooo hoping for a miracle but in stead feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. I never met Layla but I feel as though I have lost one of my own. She will forever be in my heart.
ReplyDeleteLayla, thank you fir being an angel here on earth, you have taught me so much in these last few weeks of me following your story.
I was going to say that this was a sad ending...but it's only the beginning of Layla's eternal life with our lord.
ReplyDeletePrayers for her family, praise for the knowledge that they will be reunited.
"suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven"
My thoughts and prayers are with your family today! May the tall hills and the bright sun be there to welcome you to the Summerland sweet Layla!
ReplyDeleteRest in peace little one! My heart is breaking for your Mommy and Daddy. May God bless and take care of this wonderful family!
ReplyDeleteSweet Precious Layla Grace, you've gone home to spend time with our Heavenly Father! Play with the Angels, watch over your sisters, Mommy and Daddy! You will never ever be forgotten; you've touched more lives than I could ever count! Your a special lil girl and you have changed me forever. Because of you I am a better mother. Because of you I am a better person. Because of you I am a more compassionate person, because of you I have changed. Thank you Layla, and Thank you Ryan and Shanna for sharing this Sweet Precious Baby Girl with our country.
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Lisa from Massachusetts
As a mother of two, I am writing with a very heavy heart for Miss Layla's family, and friends. Our Father was there to meet her upon her last breath on Earth, and carried her into His Kingdom - free of cancer, free of pain. Miss Layla will always be an Angel, watching over her family. They were so blessed to have her for the short while, her memories will sit in their hearts forever. Rest in Peace, Miss Layla. <3 xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have gone from being a devout Christian to questioning everything and today, after reading Layla's entire blog, I am 100% convinced that there is no such thing as God. I have prayed for truth for so long and sweet little Layla showed me the truth in her horrendous suffering. Yes, she touched many lives and good came of it but at what price? It took a child's life for people to behave in a way they already . should have been? And what about her dad? I know he is hurting just as much as her mother and yet most comments exclude him? This poor family. If you really want to honor them, then do something real like help with their bills.
ReplyDelete