Hayes' Fifth Anniversary in Heaven

"What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts

Hayes’ Fifth Anniversary in Heaven

Our lives were changed forever, Hayes,
The day you left us here.
You took the sunshine with your smile;
You left us filled with tears.

Our days have been so different since,
There’s pain within each heart.
Each one of us still questions God,
"Why did we have to part?"

And yet each day we’ve plodded on,
Somehow we’ve found the power
To keep on going, step by step,
Throughout each earthly hour.

For five long years, your shining face,
Your brightly glowing wings,
Have been our beacons here below,
Inspiring many things.

For in your precious name, my son,
And for your memory,
Our lives are filled with purpose now,
We hope that you can see

The tournaments and things we do
To honor you, dear Hayes.
We want to keep your love alive
For all our earthly days.

So please be with us each day, son,
And warm us with your smile.
We’ll join you there in heaven, Hayes,
In just a little while.

Written for Beth, Scott, and Bethany with love,
Saralyn McAfee Smith
For
Hayes’ 5th Anniversary in Heaven,
January 27, 2007

I want to thank everyone that came and allowing us to share a part
of Hayes with you. It's a blessing to see so many people still helping
us keep Hayes' memories alive. I couldn't NEVER tell you how much
that means to us. Without all of you coming and letting us share Hayes
it would feel as if we'd have nothing left of Hayes. Thank you all SO much!

A special thank you to:

Bro. Busey ~ leading prayer and sharing Hayes' memories
Coach Halford ~ sharing Hayes' memories and releasing a basket of doves
Kate Clark ~ releasing Hayes' balloons
Art Street and Lanie Sewell for the beautiful songs
Colt Mitchell for reading the beautiful poem
Julie from Wings of Grace for making the release special
Joyce Allman, Lauren's nanny, for flying in from FL to be with us
Anita Jackson for video taping for us
Cindy O'Connor for taking pictures for us

Below are pictures taken on 1/27/07 for Hayes
Dove Release on his 5th year in heaven