Megan Hoyt

Welcome

On behave of Megan’s family I wanted to THANK you for coming out today. The Family has asked to do a brief service to honor Megan's life and talk about what life is like for everyone here as you learn to cope with the grief process and continue living your life. The family decided to do it now because shortly after 3pm there will be high-school students coming once school gets out. So this seemed like the best time.

Moments like today are important moments and I am proud of you all for being here.

There is no time like the present, so no matter how you feel right now know that it is ok.

You may have an overwhelming emotion of sadness or anger

or perhaps almost like you feel nothing wondering if that is wrong,

or perhaps so many emotions all converging at the same time if feels overwhelming.

Know that you are not alone and that is very normal. Be gracious with yourself and recognize that others around you may feel the same or exactly opposite. And that is simply ok. Emotions always change and its OK to feel them. Grieving is a process and it takes time.

As part of the honoring of Megan a few selected people will share and then I will come back and read a letter written by Denise Megan’s Mom and even some thoughts that Megan wrote recently.

Lets pray.

Peyton would you come share

Denise Megan's Mom wrote an Eulogy that I am honored to read on her behave

When Megan came into this world on Nov. 15, 2006 @ 8:14 pm, she didn’t cry. She was so calm and just looked around. She slept through the night from 3 weeks old. She was our easiest baby, who rarely cried. I can’t say that about my other 2 kids! Megan was so hilarious. She had such a dry sense of humor too, which I loved. She loved to dance and be silly with her friends. Sports were her life though! She was such a natural athlete. She was her true self when she was on the court or field. Looking at all the Facebook posts from this week about Megan was truly incredible. You all said some pretty amazing things about my little girl. Here’s a few things that stood out to me…

● She brought laughter & chaos, making every moment unforgettable.

● Her presence brought a sense of comfort and familiarity.

● She was such a beautiful & goofy soul.

● She could light up a room just by walking in with her contagious smile.

● She was the sweetest & strongest soul I have crossed paths with.

Speaking of strong, she was, in fact, the strongest girl I knew. We spent many, many days & nights in the hospital together and she still always managed to have a smile on her beautiful face. She would look at me and say, “Mom you’re crying again? You’re always crying!” It pained me so much seeing her go through everything and she would do it all without complaints. She even said to me numerous times that she was glad it was her & not Maddie or Andrew because she knew they wouldn't have handled it with such grace like she did. She was always worried about her sister & brother.

Just as Megan came into this world, she left it very calmly. Kyra was attempting to put some chapstick on Megan’s lips because they were chapped. All of a sudden, she opened her eyes, looked around at all of us surrounding her, took her last breath and went to heaven. In the days leading up to her death, we found some things on her phone & I’d like to leave you with some of her words.

The Note was titled “When I Die”

● Throw a party, have good food and music.

● Please take care of my pets.

● Keep Megan’s Mission going and help other kids who are going through this, it’s hard.

● Let everyone know that this was nobody’s fault.

● Let everyone know I fought my absolute hardest and I did not give up, it was just my time.

● I had a great life. I’m so thankful for all of the amazing people around me and the experiences I got to have.

● Don’t feel guilty for living your life and having fun, I want you to enjoy your life without me holding you back. I will always be with you.

Megan was a special girl and will hold a special place in your life for the rest of your life.

As I am sure you heard, while Megan's death is a reality we must face there is also a lot to celebrate and remember. Once again I will remind you that our emotions can be very strong and its OK to feel them.

No emotions no matter how strong or overwhelming will eventually pass and other emotions will come. It is possible to feel angry at one moment and joyful in other. Confusion in one moment and peace in another. And while emotions might last much longer than we want them to, every emotion will eventually subside. No emotion lasts forever.

The reason this is so import is that sometimes people want to avoid the grief process by numbing out. There are an endless number of ways people numb out and I want to warn you that grief has to take its course.

Numbing it out tonight just postpones the process until tomorrow.

Numbing out on Saturday postpones the process until Sunday,

and numbing out Sunday postpones the process until Monday. And on and on it goes.

I have walked with people who have developed a numbing out method that turns into an addiction or addictions that lasts months, years, decades or even lifetimes. I can confidently say that Megan would not want you drinking, or smoking your life away and miss out on so many good things. In fact she left a note on her phone saying “I want you to enjoy your life without me holding you back.” Megan wanted you to live and thrive.

So what is the best way to thrive?

Personal Experience - too big

Spirit of Jesus can help you thrive

Look for Jesus - Fruit of the Spirit

Hope for this life and the next

I want you to know that I am talking from experience here that all of us face things that are too big for us to handle on our own, but it wasn’t until I found Jesus that he gave me the strength to face reality for what it is and endure the process that I needed to go through. I couldn’t do it on my own, but with the Spirit of Jesus was helping me is still helping me. I am not sure what you have heard before, but I want you to know that Jesus understands both death and life. He knows what it is like for us and wants to bring life and life abundantly. My only request is that take this moment of dealing in reality with all its emotions that you look to Jesus for help and guidance. I know the Spirit of Jesus will guide you and give you life and a thriving life. Instead of running for pain and grief use that energy to get to know Jesus. The Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness and self-control of Jesus is available to everyone. Just look to know Jesus. Please watch a YouTube video or ask a friend or talk to me and you can learn who Jesus really is and what death and life really mean. Jesus brings hope for this life and the next.

Pray.

VFW in Fennville Following the viewing

Hung a family member and tell them you love them.