Garnett’s New Year Wish

An imaging of a News Years Eve enjoyed by Garnett

It was New Year’s Eve & Garnett was in full celebration mode. The living room was alive with the soft twinkle of fairy lights, the hum of music & the warmth of family laughter. Garnett, as always, was the star of the evening, bringing his own unique flair to the festivities.

Dressed in his favourite tie-dye t-shirt & a white jester like beanie, he danced around the room, making everyone laugh. The hat’s dangling pom poms bounced with every step & in one hilarious moment, he stretched them high into the air, poked out his tongue & struck a goofy pose. “Am I silly or what?” he giggled, blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

As the countdown to midnight began, Garnett gathered everyone in the centre of the room. “We have to make the best wish ever!” he declared, holding his hands high like a magician casting a spell.

When the clock struck twelve, Garnett closed his eyes & whispered, "I wish for everyone to be as happy as I feel right now." He opened his arms wide & gave the biggest hug he could manage, giggling all the while.

That night, his joyful energy filled the room, leaving everyone smiling long after the party ended. Garnett’s wish reminds us even now that happiness is contagious & the best moments are often the silliest ones.

Of course, this wish & this story are only an imagining of a New Year’s celebration Garnett might have enjoyed. In his short but beautiful life (3 December 2008 – 23 January 2014) Garnett celebrated five New Year’s Eves, each filled with his unique light & joy. Since then, he has missed 11 New Year’s celebrations. Yet, his memory & the spirit of love & laughter he brought into the world remain timeless, inspiring us to cherish every moment & spread kindness in his honour.

May this New Year bring you laughter, love & memories as warm as Garnett’s hugs.

💙

-<3

Frozen in Time: A Christmas Dream

An imagining of Christmas in heaven with Macy, Garnett & Caylee.

Snowflakes floated softly in the glowing light of heaven. Everything was covered in sparkly white, but it wasn’t cold - it felt warm & safe. Garnett, Caylee & Macy sat together on a big blanket with pictures of Elsa, Anna & Olaf. Macy had picked it because she loved Frozen.
Macy pointed at the blanket & smiled. “Elsa!” she said, smoothing it with her tiny hands. She wore a sparkly blue dress that twirled when she moved.

Caylee looked at the blanket, curious. “Who’s Elsa?” she asked, tilting her head.

Macy gasped, her eyes big. “You don’t know Elsa?”

Caylee shook her head. “No… Who’s that?”

“She’s magic!” Macy said. “Ice magic! She makes snow!” She pointed at Olaf. “That’s her snowman. His name’s Olaf!”

Caylee’s eyes lit up. “Snowman?” she said, smiling. “I don’t know Elsa, but I know Dora! She’s my favourite & I can count to 20 in Spanish ‘cause of her & Boots is her friend. He’s a monkey & he kinda sounds like Olaf!”

Garnett laughed, showing his gap-tooth grin. “Olaf’s not a monkey!” he teased, rolling his truck across the blanket.

“Do you wanna sing?” Macy asked, looking at Caylee.

Caylee nodded, clapping her hands. “Yeah!”

Macy started singing in her little voice, swaying side to side. “Let it gooo, let it gooo!”

Caylee giggled & tried to copy her. “Let it gooo!” she sang, not getting all the words but smiling anyway.

Garnett groaned but grinned again. “Oh no, not Frozen again,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Sing, Garnett!” Caylee said, pointing at him.

“Okay, okay,” he said, singing in a funny voice to make them laugh.

When they finished, Macy clapped her hands. “Good singing!” she said, snuggling into the blanket.

“Olaf’s funny,” Caylee said, pointing at the snowman on the blanket.

“He’s the best,” Macy said with a big smile.

The fire next to them crackled softly, its golden glow making the snow sparkle like stars. Garnett leaned back, holding his truck. “This is nice,” he said quietly, showing his gap-tooth grin again.

Caylee nodded, leaning on him. “Nice,” she said, smiling.

“Nice Christmas,” Macy said softly, her eyes closing as she snuggled closer.

As the fire flickered, they all drifted into a warm, happy dream. In their dream, they were surrounded by the people they loved most - family. In Garnett’s dream, he held his grandmother’s hand, feeling her warmth as she smiled & whispered, "I’m never far away, sweetheart." Caylee imagined baking cookies with her grandparents & leaving them out for Santa. Macy dreamed of holding her aunty’s hand while twirling in her sparkly dress, smiling as they shared the joy of Christmas together.

In their dreams, heaven & earth blended into one & for a moment, it felt like they were right there with their families, sharing stories, hugs & Christmas joy.

When they woke, the snowflakes were still falling softly & they smiled at each other, knowing that one day, in some magical way, they would share Christmas's with their loved ones again.

-<3

Garnett's Christmas Tree

It was the Christmas school holidays in 2013 & five-year-old Garnett Spears was back in Clearwater, Florida, for the holidays. Having moved to Chestnut Ridge, New York, just over a year earlier, Garnett was thrilled to return to the place that had been his home for so many happy days. He had just turned two when he & his 'mother' arrived in Clearwater & they had stayed until he was almost four, when they headed north to Chestnut Ridge & the Fellowship Community. This return trip was filled with nostalgia & joy as he visited Peggy Florence’s home & reconnected, making cherished memories.
This story is an imagining of one day in particular.

The day had begun with a trip to the beach. Garnett loved the ocean & the warm Florida sun felt like a welcome embrace. He spent the morning laughing & playing with his family & friends, running along the shoreline & splashing in the waves. Afterward, they visited Frenchy’s, a cheerful cafe nestled right on the beach. Garnett enjoyed a plate of crispy fish & chips, his cheeks flushed with excitement as he chatted with his family & friends around the table.

When they returned home, Garnett was surprised to see their neighbour waiting for him. She greeted him with a warm smile & held a little box in her hands.

“Garnett, I have something special for you,” she said, leading him inside.

On the coffee table stood a tiny Christmas tree, only 30 cm tall, but beautifully green & full. Garnett’s eyes widened in delight as his friend, the neighbour, placed the box on the table & opened it, revealing its contents. Inside were handmade purple & red owls, one small purple ball & one small red ball, each carefully crafted.

“I remembered you like purple, red & owls,” she said, gently handing him one of the ornaments. Garnett beamed & nodded, already reaching out to hang an owl on a branch.

“I love them!” he exclaimed.

Together, Garnett & his friend decorated the little tree. Garnett’s small hands carefully placed each ornament on the branches, his face lighting up with every owl he added. Finally, Garnett’s friend, the neighbour, handed him the final touch: a glittering gold “G,” which Garnett decided to place just below the red bauble on the tree.

“This is for you,” she said. “Your very own tree.”

Garnett held the ornament tightly for a moment before carefully reaching over the coffee table to place it in just the right spot. He stepped back & admired the tiny tree, now glowing with his favourite colours & adorned with the owls he loved so much. It was perfect.

That evening, Garnett sat near his little tree, gazing at it with wonder. He admired the glittery “G,” which reflected the twinkling lights of the big family Christmas tree in the same room, as he spoke about the day. For Garnett, it wasn’t just a tree; it was a symbol of love, thoughtfulness & the joy of being surrounded by people who cared about him.

It had been a Christmas filled with memories to treasure & his little tree stood proudly as a reminder of the happiness & warmth of the season.

Garnett deserved every Christmas over the next 11 years to be exactly like this.

As the evening drew to a close, Garnett, wearing a bright red Santa hat, finally felt the weight of the day catch up with him. He curled up on the couch, still smiling from the day's joy, & drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the holiday spirit surrounding him as he dreamed of more festive moments to come.

-<3

Garnett's Final School Days 2013

There Should Have Been Many More Years of Final Days to Come: An Imagining of Garnett’s Last School Days Before the Christmas Holidays 2013

As Garnett’s final days of school before the holiday break approached, the air was filled with excitement & anticipation. The classroom buzzed with energy as the children finished their work & prepared for the upcoming holidays. For Garnett, it was a time to reflect & share in the joy of the season. Although he had only been at Green Meadow Waldorf School since October, the friendships he had made were strong & he cherished the connections he’d built.

In the days leading up to the break, the class exchanged handmade cards, each one a little piece of their thoughts & emotions, capturing the spirit of the season. Garnett’s cards were colourful, filled with drawings that reflected his cheerful personality & love for his friends. As he handed them out, his heart warmed at the sight of his friends’ faces lighting up with smiles.

The excitement of the holidays was palpable, but for Garnett, it wasn’t just about the break from school. He had already experienced the wonder of a snowy Christmas the year before & was looking forward to a very different kind of Christmas this time. While a snowy Christmas would have been lovely again, what mattered most was being with his family in Florida. The thought of spending time with them, laughing & celebrating together, outweighed any longing for snow.

As the school day came to a close & the students rushed out of the classroom, eager to begin their holidays, Garnett's excitement grew. The anticipation of flying to Florida to be with his loved ones filled his heart. This holiday would be about warmth - not from sunshine, but from the love of his family.

As he drifted off to sleep that night, clutching his favourite handmade card from a friend, Garnett dreamed of the holiday magic to come. It was moments like these that made the season so meaningful - a time of love, connection & the joy of giving.

-<3