There were storm troopers and rainbow-colored confetti, pink balloons, and bright flowers. It was a beautiful farewell party for a beautiful girl with a most beautiful soul.
Three year old Caitlin Soleil Lucas, whom the world fondly knew as “Courageous Caitie”, was laid to rest on April 3 after having succumbed to juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare form of leukemia.
Read: Courageous Caitie passes away from rare leukemia
Caitie’s memorial service had a wedding theme, signifying her “marriage” to her groom, Jesus Christ.
In a Facebook post on the Courageous Caitie page, Caitie’s parents wrote:
“We didn’t wait till she was a teenager for our mom and daughter or father and daughter dates. Didn’t wait till she was old enough to attend dance classes etc. We didn’t wait for a wedding to have her ‘dirty dancing’ lift (in a) father-daughter dance. We didn’t wait when she was old enough to travel the world."
"Thank you Lord for the grace that in 3 years we lived what was like 30 years. Her body was 3 but her soul lived like it was 30 years old in experience, in wisdom and beauty.”
“I love you my daughter… Today we celebrate as we turn you over in marriage.”
A touching farewell letter to Caitie on the next page.
Caitie’s journey of pain, hope, and love has touched countless of hearts. Up until her passing, Caitie always smiled because she knew her parents loved to see her smile.
In a farewell letter, Caitie’s aunt wrote:
“I didn’t give birth to you Caitlin, but it felt like I did. I saw your every milestone and I am so so proud how you turned out to be. You truly lived your life for Jesus and you’re an example of how that is — a life of obedience and trust even when things don’t turn out the way you expect them to. I do not regret every leave I did in the office just to take care of you when you were sick. I am happy that I was beside you. I do not care that I had sleepless nights just to make sure you were okay even if I knew you weren’t. Thank you for teaching me selflessness until the very end. I thought I’d teach you more things when you grow up but you ended up teaching me everything I should learn.”
Caitie, who was fond of the color pink, was laid to rest in a pink dress. A “Story of Jesus Bracelet” adorned her wrist, and two princess print band aids had been lovingly wrapped around her fingers as she always found comfort in putting kiddie band aids on herself. A paint brush was also placed in her casket because Caitie loved to paint.
Caitie’s mother, Christine Feliz, likewise wore a pink dress in memory of her daughter.
Her time on earth may have been short, but the number of people she's inspired is certainly an indication of how well it was lived. Rest in Peace, Courageous Caitie.
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