My Tribute to Lailah Nichelle King (03/03/2011-12/08/2011)

On December 13, 2011, my family and I said goodbye to my beautiful 9 month old niece, Lailah.  Here is the speech I delivered at her funeral as tribute:

Good Morning everyone!

Though we are gathered today to mourn the loss of 9^th month old Lailah, we must not forget that this is also a time to celebrate the life of a bright, joyful and happy baby girl.

I remember the first time I found out that my sister, Elise was with child.  To say that I was surprised is the understatement of a century.  After I got over my initial shock, I came to terms with another truth: I was going to be an uncle.  My friends and classmates at Cornell could attest to my joy.  Indeed the first thing I did was customize a bib with the words “Lailah Loves Uncle Kyler” online and ship it to Elise.  I also ordered the bib to be worn at all times.  Needless to say, I was proud to be an uncle.  The first time I met Lailah was in early June, when she was but 3 months.  From the time she looked up at me with those beautiful eyes, I was in love.  This was my niece and I was going to spoil her rotten.  I remember calling mom with nothing of value to say, just to hear Lailah laughing, playing and weirdly grunting in the background.  In sum, she was my princess.

Lailah was truly the family’s baby.  She was fond of all of us, but at the end of the day, we all knew that Lailah was attached to her momma, and her momma to her.  The bond between mother and child was epitomized by the relationship between Elise and Lailah.

I can’t think of anyone who has accomplished as much as Lailah did in her short 9^th months with us.  She united the family and provided an endless amount of joy, love and positivity.  Though we all regret that she is no longer with us in the physical plane, just understand that Lailah knew nothing but love.  She was love!  She will not have to grow up in this cold, corrupt world.  She will not have to experience heartbreak.  Not to mention the family doesn’t have to worry about the parade of young men who were bound to chase after her once she hit adolescence.  After all, she was a beauty.

To Elise, hang in there baby.  I cannot possibly imagine your loss and I don’t pretend to understand what you are going through.  However, what I can do as you older brother is promise you that I will always be here to support you in any way that I can.  I love you.  And I know that I can be overly critical, harsh and overbearing.  I know that at times I tend to act more like a father than a big brother.  But just know that I love you so very much.  And I want nothing negative between us.

In summary, life is truly precious.  Lailah has helped to reinforce this notion.  Love constantly, laugh always and dwell in positive places.  Seize the day and put no trust in tomorrow. Never part with a loved one with anger or animosity.  It could be the last time you see them alive.  Finally, remember the good.  Whether it was Lailah’s endearing gap, her odd positioning of her sparse hair (aka Mohawk), the completely random and weird coughing/grunt noise she made, her tendency to slap you, her affinity to electronic devices including cell phones and computers or any/all of the above, Lailah’s has and will continue to bring an unprecedented amount of joy to our hearts and lives.  And though we are here to say goodbye, I would like to leave you with a piece of wisdom from a highly unlikely source.  Shortly after Lailah’s death on Thursday, I talked to my 7 year old brother Evan, explaining the notion of death and how we are going to have to say goodbye to the baby.  At that moment, Evan looked up at me and said: “Goodbye isn’t forever.  Right bro?”  Truer words were never spoken.  Good bye Lailah!  You will live on in all of us. 

~KJSW