Reality Check

It's really happening....Damon, Alexa and I made the flight to Fresno this afternoon.  As soon as we landed, we had to rush over to the newspaper's office to ensure they published Grant's obituary in the Thursday paper (talk about a frustrating process....oye!).  The Fresno obituary was the last major component that needed to fall in place; everything else pretty well-organized.  I think I have checked the FedEx site about 20x today to make sure the shipments of the programs, photos and stuffed giraffes are on-time :)

Writing Grant's obituary was a much tougher assignment than I ever expected - - it's very tough to capture the essence of this magnificent little boy in 3" of newspaper text.  I had to create some very abridged versions for publications in the Fresno Bee and St. Louis Post-Dispatch, but I've included the full-length version below. 

It's still unbelievable to me that I had to create an obituary for my son....we'll get through this though & come out stronger than we were before!

Hovannisian, Grant Vartkes ("Granty")

Born to Connie and Damon on June 3^rd, 2012, Grant passed away on November 25^th 2012, in his mother’s arms.  In his short five months of life, Grant inspired many with his sunny disposition, angelic eyes and perpetual smile despite the challenges he faced.  He taught everyone lessons of love, life and family.  In addition to his parents, Grant leaves behind an adoring sister Alexa, maternal grandparents Gene and Kathy Niehoff, and fraternal grandparents Vernon and Carol Hovannisian.  He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Karen Storer, Steve and Carolyn Niehoff, Terri and Larry Holzen, Julie and Eric Huss, Gia and Andrew Kazarian, and Vincent Hovannisian.  Grant’s spirit will also live in his cousins Christian and Marie Storer, Abby and Katie Niehoff, Mara and Xavier Holzen, Maren Huss and Luke Kazarian.  Our beloved “Granty” was never without a smile or his giraffe blankie.  We will never see another giraffe without thinking of our precious little boy.  He will live in our hearts and minds forever.  A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church in Fresno, California, Friday, November 30, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Grant's name to the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation - online at www.phoenixchildrens.com or 2929 East Camelback Road, Ste 122 Phoenix, AZ 85016.