Daniel

Today was one of the hardest days we’ve ever had to endure: it’s the day we buried our beautiful little boy. We named him Daniel Carey Drake, following the Drake family tradition of giving the second son a maternal-line surname as his middle name.

Daniel was approximately four inches long and was buried in a tiny, satin-lined casket donated by his mommy’s visiting teacher Patty, wrapped in a white handkerchief and tucked in under a remnant of a blue baby blankey with a parent/child pair of giraffes and the words “Sweet Baby.” (Both the handkerchief and the blanket were from Mawmaw.)

Pawpaw dug the grave in Mawmaw and Pawpaw’s backyard, and the elements were greatly tempered as Daddy dedicated it under a beautiful, sunny sky and a surprisingly warm 35˚F. After the dedication, Pawpaw placed the coffin inside a metal ammunition box that Papaw left him, then placed that inside two plastic bags, to keep out the moisture. Parents and grandparents then each tossed some dirt into the grave and Daddy and Pawpaw filled in the rest. When Spring comes, we’ll be adding a plant to attract butterflies, in his honor.

Thanks to all those that have expressed their love and gratitude during this obviously trying time, and also to those that have remained silent for not knowing what to say. We love you all, and your prayers have definitely been felt in this, our time of greatest need.