Thanks For The Love and Support

To the Editor:

To our family, friends, and “Newtown family” thank you for the outpouring of love and support during our most difficult days following the passing of our beautiful son, Tyler David Jones. Hundreds of people came to offer their respect at the wake and funeral services. It was amazing and uplifting to feel so much community support. The sentiment of “Nicer in Newtown” was embraced in our thoughts by all who came to offer support as we felt a community of caring and kind people wrap their love and compassion around our family in our deep despair. Our darkest hours were filled with hugs, kisses, tears, a prayer shawl, a multitude of dishes to give us nutrients, magnificent flowers to brighten our home, numerous beautiful cards affectionately written with words of support and comfort. Thank you for the generous donations to the Autism Research Foundation, Anatomy and Neurobiology at the Boston University School of Medicine, Dr Margaret Bauman, and to Tyler’s school, The Connecticut Center for Child Development (CCCD).

Many thanks to our family and out-of-town friends who traveled so quickly to be with us; the Honan Funeral Home for their caring, professional support; Newtown Florist for their glorious flowers and handholding; the Millers for opening their exquisite barn and garden for our family to use between the wake hours; our generous friends who organized the outstanding food for the wake services; the hugs, tears, and smiles from our ProxTalker family; The Newtown Bee for their loving words and voice mail; the United Methodist Church for their amazing reception, food, hugs, technical support (computer and video), organ music, solo and beautiful House of the Lord; Mel Kawakami, our pastor, who was with us minutes after Tyler’s passing and for his beautiful tribute to Tyler at the funeral; our Suzuki School family for their brilliant songs performed during the funeral; the hundreds of caregivers, teachers, Tyler’s school — CCCD — and professionals that supported Tyler during his life and at his passing; the beautiful words of the many people that spoke about Tyler during the service, or read a poem written especially for Tyler or sang a song for Tyler; the tribute of hundreds of Smiley Faces for Tyler which were lovingly laid to rest with him; and for Tyler’s beautiful sister Lindsey and twin brother Austin who wanted to play music for their beloved brother during the celebration of his life, as they did so often during his life.

To everyone that touched Tyler, of which there are many, we give heartfelt and profound thanks.

Love,

The Jones Family

16 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Sandy Hook                 October 16, 2009