We Love Nate.
It pains me to have to bear such news in the paltry form of this weblog. Last night Nathan Graybill died. I just got back from the hospital myself, and it is after six-thirty AM right now. There were complications due to a clot in Nate's brain last night, and he was declared brain-dead fairly early in the evening. The doctors and nurses kept his body respirated and his heart beating in order to sustain Nate's organs so that they could be donated to others. Even in death, Nate gave selflessly.
I myself have been overwhelmed by the amount of support for Nate. In coming together to show how much we love Nate, I think we've also seen how much we love each other. That's the kind of person that Nate was. I thank God that we all got these six days to spend time with Nate; to remember him and say our goodbyes. We will remember him always as a true son, brother and friend.
I or someone else will be posting information about Nate's funeral on this blog, and I am considering leaving it open for now so that people can share support and stories about Nate. Please continue to support the Graybills and each other in communication, in the flesh and in prayer. Share encouragement, share stories of being with Nate, share this time together. And remember what brought all of us together over this past week: our love for Nate. Nate brought brightness into all of our lives in the short time that he was on this earth, and he will be sorely missed.
We Love You Nate!
--Keith
I myself have been overwhelmed by the amount of support for Nate. In coming together to show how much we love Nate, I think we've also seen how much we love each other. That's the kind of person that Nate was. I thank God that we all got these six days to spend time with Nate; to remember him and say our goodbyes. We will remember him always as a true son, brother and friend.
I or someone else will be posting information about Nate's funeral on this blog, and I am considering leaving it open for now so that people can share support and stories about Nate. Please continue to support the Graybills and each other in communication, in the flesh and in prayer. Share encouragement, share stories of being with Nate, share this time together. And remember what brought all of us together over this past week: our love for Nate. Nate brought brightness into all of our lives in the short time that he was on this earth, and he will be sorely missed.
We Love You Nate!
--Keith
posted by Keith @ 6:34 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
I know we're all hurting right now. I just wanted to offer some words of encouragement. John 3:16 says that whoever believes in him (Jesus) shall not perish but have eternal life. Praise God that Nate is in Heaven right now. He's in a better place, I hope that provides some piece of mind. We will see him there someday!
Also, Psalm 34:16 says the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. I pray for everyone affected that God may be close to our hearts. There isn't too much comfort in the situation but I pray God is providing for each and every one of us!
Rest in peace Graybill!
We're going to miss ya.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Graybill family.
Thanks for the memories Nate!!
The Kerstetter family
(Pam, Hal, Dave)
Dear Karen, Gary & Liz,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this challenging time. Always remember the joy that Nate brought into your life during his short time on earth. He may no longer be physically with us, but his spirit will live on in all of us.
If there is anything that we can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask.
Love and Prayers,
The Forbes's
"You're in the arms of the angels,
may you find some comfort there." Rest in peace, Nathan Graybill. You have touched the lives of many and your courage and spirit will not soon be forgotten. We love you.
I wish I would have gotten the chance to know Graybill better.. He was such an amazing person with an incredible personality. In the few times I hung out with him, he made me smile and laugh at least a million times. It seems unfair that he has been taken from us so soon, but there is a plan for each of us. We will all see Nate again. But until then, we will miss you so much, Nate! My heart goes out to Nate's family and friends. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone, but especially the Graybill family. Nate, you will truly be missed.
I'm in Athens, Greece right now and I just heard the horrible news. I haven't spoken to Nate in years, but I've known him and the Graybill family for over a decade. I'm so sorry to hear that Nate didn't make it through, but I pray that God will watch over him and the Graybills in their time of need. My love and prayers go out to you all.
Being in Virginia, its hard to keep up with the BS news but I feel as if we all came together, as a community, and I have seen God's love and His way of what community should be. Nate was an amazing kid and he richly blessed even those he wasn't that close to. My prayers are with the Graybills, and everyone else that Nate touched, as we learn to trust God. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plan for our lives and it is for good, not for harm...In trusting in Him, we can find our peace and our reassurance that Nate is ok and he is healed. May this provide some comfort in our brokenness!
To the Graybill family: Words cannot describe the pain I feel for you. You must be very very proud to have had a son that so many people loved.
Words cannot explain the love that Nate gave to all of us. He was an incredible person. He touched so many people's lives and for that I thank him. Nate is in a better place now, a place with no sadness and no pain. One day, we will all see him again. Until then...we will not stop thinking about him or how he touched each and every one of us throughout our lives.
To the Graybill Family: You and Nate are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.
-Shannon
May 3, 2006
Following is a message from Dr. Jo Allen, Provost at Widener University. All are invited to attend the gathering of peace for Nate tomorrow at noon, on campus at Widener. For directions or information call (610) 499-4385.
--Kirk Manning
Associate Provost and Dean of Students
Dear Widener Community,
During the past week, we have all focused on sending best wishes for the recovery of our student Nathan Graybill, who was seriously injured in a mountain biking accident last week. With heartfelt sadness, we have just learned that he has passed away. A junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Nate touched the lives of students, staff, and faculty here at Widener. Tragedies such as this remind us of the value of being part of a caring community.
In this time of sorrow, we have a special opportunity to reflect on our friendships with and admiration for Nathan, while demonstrating our care and support for his family. On Thursday, May 4 at noon in the Webb Room of the University Center, Chaplain JoAnn Koskol will lead us in a gathering of peace for Nathan. This will be a time for everyone to come together, as our academic year nears a close, to offer support to one another and to focus our thoughts on this special young man’s legacy within the Widener community.
As members of a university community, it is important that we support each other, that we do everything we can to help other community members who struggle with grief, and that we convey appropriately our gratitude for having known Nate. I thank everyone who is serving in a helping role, and remind everyone who is in need of support that the services of the Counseling Center and Interfaith Center remain available to you.
Please join me on Thursday at noon in the Webb Room, and please let me or other staff members know if we can help you at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jo Allen
Senior Vice President & Provost
A heart of gold stopped beating,
two shining eyes at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove,
He only takes the best.
God knows you had to leave us,
but you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you,
the day He took you home.
To some you are forgotten,
to others just part of the past,
but to us who loved and lost you,
the memory will always last.
Rest in peace nate! You have touched the lives of many. You certaintly won't be forgotten!
My thoughts and prayers are with the Graybill family.
Ashley Sanno
In these desolate times I think it is important to remember how Nate brought happiness to our lives. My fondest memory of Nate was on a school trip to Italy and Greece. Between darting through crazy Italian traffic, making friends with locals at a beach in Greece, trying to act "so mature" when we were legally able to go to European bars at 15, and a very *interesting* visit to the Sistine Chapel, Nate was always there to offer his smile and laughter. Keep smiling down from Heaven, Nate. Your laugh will echo in our minds long after you are gone.
To Nate's family and friends: my heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to you. Karen and Gary, you should feel proud to have raised a son that has touched so many.
I wish I could come home for the funeral, but time and distance will not allow it. People may say what they will about kids from small towns, but this tragedy is an overwhelming example of how a community has become a surrogate family; a family that will always be there for each other. To my Boiling Springs "family": Though distance doesn't allow me to come home as often as I'd like, you are ALL still in my thoughts and prayers. Even those of you that I haven't seen or spoken to since graduation...
We don't say it enough: Thanks for making an impact on my life.
I love you all.
*~may angels guide you, nate~*
love, natalie
Dear Karen, Gary, and Liz,
It breaks my heart to hear this news. My prayers have been and will remain with you and Nate. Please know that you have the support of an entire town and never feel alone.
Sincerely,
Kayla
Nate we will miss you! May God be glorified even more in this situation...
My prayers are with you all. <3
Dear Graybill family,
My thoughts and prayers have been with you throughout this past week and will continue to be with you in the time ahead. Liz, my thoughts and prayers are especially with you to have lost your older brother at a time like this. It is amazing to see how the whole community has come together like this. Never forget that we are all here for you and that Nate had touched so many of us. I agree with Natalie: No matter how much distance and time separates us, we will all always remain Bubblers at heart.
God Bless,
Lauren Geigus
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