Gabe’s Story
Monday, August 29, 2011 at 2:17am
Well, it’s been one week since Gabriel Michael Coy left us for a better place. We miss him more than words can describe, but we are doing OK, ’cause we know Gabe is with Jesus. According to a friend from church whom had a vision of Gabe in Heaven – Gabe says Jesus is way better than Mickey Mouse!
I cannot even begin to properly express our deep gratitude and love to all of our friends and family that have offered their prayers, love, tears, stories of Gabe, and support through this tough chapter in our lives – from our whole family – THANK YOU and God bless all of you all!
We were so blessed to be his parents. Gabe couldn’t talk, didn’t walk well, ate half his meals through a g-tube, spent over 600 nights in the hospital with many major heart surgeries, many dozen’s of heart caths, a bunch of other procedures, and ultimately, a heart transplant. He was the toughest, sweetest, happiest kid I have ever seen. Truly a living, breathing miracle. The love, joy and happiness he gave to us was so pure and selfless. He smiled and laughed through so much pain and suffering, we have little doubt he was part angel. All who knew him are better for it.
I cannot even begin to tell you Pam’s part of this story. You will need to read/hear that for yourself. Needless to say, save a small handfull of nights, she spent every night in the hospital with Gabe, and he was her entire life for eight years.
Having Gabe has taught me how to love without limits. Losing Gabe has taught me about God’s love. You see, I didn’t know how much I could love until I lost Gabe and my heart was ripped apart. It was that moment that I realized how much it hurt God when one of us rejects His Son Jesus. God loves us more than any human can understand, but eternal love has to be pure love – that’s why He gives us free will to choose to love Him, through His Son Christ Jesus.
We’ve lost Gabe, but for a time, and we will see him again in heaven. When God loses one of you, that loss is eternal. This life is but a vapor. Eternity is forever, and you can choose to live with God, in Heaven, or without God in Hell. The choice is yours, not God’s. It doesn’t matter if you do not believe any of this. That does not change the Truth. Eternity is coming for all of us, one way or another, and we don’t know when. If Gabe’s life can help just one more soul make a decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and spend eternity with God, then Amen! You have everything to gain, and nothing to lose. Seek God through His Son Jesus, and God will find you – it’s a promise from Heaven!
In just one small week, God has given our family peace, purpose, stronger more meaningful relationships, and a deeper understanding of His love. By God’s grace – He gave us Gabe, then He took him away. And all we can do is praise and love God even more. He has taught us so much!
Blessings in Christ Jesus!
Gabriel Michael Coy, born May 05, 2003 – re-born in Heaven, August 21, 2011 (God chose to take Gabe home on Pam’s 51st Birthday.)
Angel Gabe
Gabe & Sissy
Gabe & Big Bro
Gabe & Mommy
Gabe & Mommy & Daddy
Gabe & his buddy Jackson
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REPRINT OF GABE’S OBIT:
Gabriel (“Gabe”) Michael Coy of Summerville passed away from this world and into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, August 21, 2011. Gabe was eight.
Born May 5, 2003, in Charleston, Gabe was a special child in a multitude of ways. Having a severe heart condition, he underwent numerous surgeries, spent over 600 nights in the hospital, culminating in a heart transplant at age four. With loving care by his parents and his brother and sister, plus faithful friends and the power of prayer, Gabe’s short life was an incredibly happy and impactful one.
He is survived by his parents, Bruce and Pam Thomas Coy, brother, Julian and sister, Carra, all of Summerville; paternal grandparents Cal and Marilyn Coy of Chapin, SC; maternal grandparents Norm and Barbara Thomas of Chapin, SC; aunts, Laura Pike (Gary) of Montauroux, France, Gayle Davis (Ken) of Toccoa, GA, uncle, Clark (Laura) Thomas of Irmo, and a number of cousins.
Gabe loved music and musicals. He was a YouTube aficionado and a major fan of Mickey Mouse, Disney songs of all kinds (in all languages,) Mother Goose, the Wiggles, Sesame Street, and many others. Gabe and his entire family were blessed with a Make a Wish Foundation trip to Disney World this past May, where the family has hundreds of photos and videos of Gabe literally having “the time of his life!” meeting all his favorite characters, and watching the musicals. Gabe also dearly loved attending school at Span Elementary, and most recently, Summerville Elementary, where he was treated like the angle that he was.
Gabe’s family currently attends Mercy Heart Ministries church in Jedburg, SC. When Gabe was born, the family lived on the Isle of Palms and attended the Church of the Holy Cross on Sullivan’s Island for four years. Gabe touched the lives of many people besides his family – his church friends, the doctors and nurses at MUSC, his teachers, and so many others. He was truly a blessing to everyone he met, and will live in the hearts of those who loved him. The family expresses their heart-felt love and thanks for the love and support they have received from both church families – truly examples of Christ’s love and compassion.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, August 23, at 5:00 pm at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 2520 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island. Pastor Stephen Brunson from Mercy Heart Ministries and the Very Reverend John Burwell of Holy Cross with share in the conducting of the service. The family will speak with friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to either the MUSC Children’s Hospital Fund, 59 Bee Street, Charleston SC 29425 or to Make-A-Wish Foundation of SC, 224 S. Pleasantburg Dr. #B8, Greenville, SC 29607.
