Emily’s Smiles through Difficult Trials

I want to write a note about Emily’s Celebration of Life service, but I want to share today instead, for now. This morning God has given us this great strength. First, with Trey, who said he wanted to ride the bus to school and see his friends and be with his teachers for a while. Jacob was walking out the same time Trey was and I was so glad to know he would be with him on the bus. I told him some children might ask him questions about Emily and talk to him about her, and could he handle those situations and he said yes. He knew he could call us at any time and had a place he could go if he needed alone time. Eddie and I already decided that around 12:30 we would go check on him and bring him back home if needed. We didn’t even get the chance to inform Ms. Holliday that he would be there today. We felt comfortable letting him go because we had met with counselors and teachers 2 weeks ago and everyone was aware of Emily’s condition and what the next week might be like. Trey lived the experiences with us and we explained during that week that God had a great plan for Emily, and that she may go to heaven soon. We answered his questions and assured him she would be just fine, actually better than she has ever been before. It wasn’t long we had a call from Ms. Holliday, just to let us know Trey was doing fine and she would call us if he needed her to. I think she was just as surprised as we were that he was there. That just tells us how important our friends are at a time like this.

Today Eddie and I went to visit with Emily and what an AMAZING sign from heaven we received. As we drove up there was a beautiful butterfly fluttering all around her place. It was Emily showing us how fast she can go! As we drove past to turn the van around the butterfly followed. Then we parked across from Emily and again there she was fluttering all around us, she sure was showing off for us, running on this beautiful day behind our church on these beautiful grounds. I could hear her now “Look at me mommy, and daddy, I can dance now.” After she finished her dance she went a few feet away to the edge of the tree line then back again, following were 3 more butterflies! Emily came around us again then out to play with the other three. I feel she was playing her favorite game of tag. She loved to play tag at home and I can still hear that giggling laugh and pounding feet on the ground as she ran past the kitchen windows running from Trey and her friends. Today was a glorious sight. It made me cry and smile at the same time. Her friends from heaven were with her. Eddie and I needed that so much. I asked and begged for God the first two nights to just give me a glimpse of her, I just wanted to see her standing and I can recall patience, and soon. Well, today Eddie and I received our glimpse from heaven, she wasn’t just standing she was running!

When Emily was a tiny baby, I would sing her this little song, just made it up as I put her to sleep, all along God was preparing me for this journey.
“Mommy’s little Angel baby girl, Mommy’s little Angel baby girl, I love you so much , I love you so much, Mommy’s little Angel baby girl”, I sang it over and over again till she settled down and closed her eyes. I have sung this to her every night for 6 years.

Much love to our Emily (Me Me)
Mommy Dawn

Friends and loved ones,

WOW! We are just overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and support that each of you have bestowed upon our family since Emily received her Angel Wings. The food, cards, calls, visits have enveloped the Hollis & Hinnant families and sheltered all of us in the arms of love. Our special “Angel Emily” continues to touch the lives of so many people. Sometimes I do stop and wonder, “God, what is your plan? Are you still working on someone? Will we ever know your purpose?” Faith leads our families on and assures us that all is well with our Emily and she is healthy and lively, smiling and playing with the other Angels. She is free from pain, no longer needing those pills, IV’s or doctor visits! What a mighty God we serve and oh how Emily has served Him in her 6 short years! Emily leaves behind a legacy that we want to share with everyone!

Tonight’s visitation was so touching. Approximately 500 visitors came to the Funeral Home tonight to offer their support. Many endured the heat and gnats as they waited in line outside the building, but no one complained, they just waited patiently to just be able to speak to the family and bid Emily farewell. Dawn, Eddie, the Grandparents and all of the entire families, say “Thank You” for all the kind words tonight. They are forever etched in our hearts.

A special visit today, from another family, meant so much to Eddie & Dawn. Appearing on their doorstep was Brian & Desirae Harmon! They live in VA and were able to attend our 11:00 church service today, where our Pastor introduced them to our congregation. You see, the Harmon’s son, “Chance”, got his angel wings on July 6, 2007. Emily and Chance met each other at Duke and actually played together a few times, while their parents were able to talk a little. Many of us have gotten to “know” the Harmon’s through their journey with Chance, we just had not met them in person until today. Brian is the one that told me many months ago that “God doesn’t make mistakes”. This amazing christian couple have been encouragement to many of us through email and phone calls and we’ve found great prayer partners with them! After visiting Dawn & Emily, they visited with several of us at the funeral home, and spent a few minutes with Emily. I think that Desirae put it into perspective as she told me with tears rolling down her cheeks, “What more could we ask for than our Angel Chance welcoming Emily into Heaven by saying, Come On Emily! Lets Play!” Brian further said, “Its OK because we are assured that we will see them again one day!” Thank you Brian & Desirae, your presence today meant the world to Dawn, Eddie and many of us. I believe with all my heart that our 2 special little Angels are chasing butterflies, fishing, smiling and talking up a storm, and of course keeping a watchful eye on those of us left here on earth. Our very own special guardian angels!

Again, thank you everyone for your support. Everyone is invited to a “Celebration of Emily’s Life” on Monday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. at Barlow-Vista Baptist Church on Hwy. 17 near the Surf City Lowes. Balloons will float to Heaven for Emily at the conclusion of the graveside service. Emily’s Encouragers & Relay for Life T-shirts are welcomed attire as are bright colors, and everyone knows that Emily’s favorite colors were pink and purple!

Love,
Stephanie

EMILY HOLLIS
Emily Grace Hollis, age 6, of Hampstead, the little girl that stole thousands of hearts with her courageous battle of Anaplastic Medulloblastoma, was healed on, Friday, April 18, 2008, and is now playing with the angels in Heaven. Her contagious smile will forever be missed.

She is survived by her parents, Eddie and Dawn Hollis and her much loved big brother, Trey; grandparents, Eddie Earl and Linda Hollis, Henry Hinnant, all of Hampstead, Dot Hinnant of Wilmington; great-granparents Charles and Dorothy Hinnant of Kenly, NC, and Mrs. Lorene Rowe of Holly Ridge. Emily also leaves behind her beloved new puppy, Oreo.

Emily has made many headlines over the last 20 months as she drew awareness to Childhood Cancer through her large support group known as Emily’s Encouragers. Her smile would light up a room and she was everybody’s friend. She loved crafts, dolls, Scooby Doo and was quite the little artist. Her artwork adorned the 2007 Emily’s Day in the Park T-shirts and the 1st Annual Kids Walk T-shirts for Pender County Relay for Life. Emily loved having her picture made and got much pleasure from sending pictures in cards to family and friends that followed her cancer journey.

Mere words cannot express the appreciation for the love, support and encouragement bestowed upon Emily’s family. A special thank you goes out to the nurses, therapists and staff at Duke Children’s Hospital for the wonderful care they provided Emily during her many months of stay there. An even more special thank you to Dr. G for never giving up Hope and always trying all medical possibilities to stop Emily’s cancer. Thank you to the Tug McGraw Foundation that featured Emily in their “You Gotta Believe” campaign and to the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation in NY for their most gracious assistance and encouragement when Emily was sent to Sloan Kettering Hospital, so far away from home.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at Andrews Mortuary, Hampstead location. A Celebration of Emily’s Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21st, at Barlow-Vista Baptist Church with Dr. Paul Brewster officiating and encouraging words from Emily’s Encouragers. Interment will follow in the church cemetery where balloons will float to Heaven for Emily.

Pallbearers will be Terry Adkins, Alan Cutler, Brad George, and Chris Floyd.
You are respectfully requested to wear colorful clothes, Emily especially loved pink and purple! Though this is a sad occasion, it is a celebration of Emily’s life. Emily’s Encouragers T-shirts and Relay for Life T-shirts are especially welcome!

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be made to Barlow-Vista Baptist Church, 22340 US Hwy 17 N, Hampstead, NC 28443. These memorials will be used to purchase supplies for the Art Teacher, and items for the playroom and craftroom at Duke Children’s Pediatric Center where Emily spent much time drawing, coloring and crafting.