From Uncle Andrew

A eulogy for Wesley.

Wesley

For those who don't know me, my name is Andrew. I'm Meghan's brother, and I have the privilege of being Wesley's Uncle.

I stand here today as a twin to say that I understand the special bond only a twin can know. I can't imagine losing someone who was there from the very beginning, someone walking through life right beside you, at the exact same stage.

I know Jimmy may not be able to fully understand it right now, but as he grows he will slowly come to grasp what happened with his twin brother. He will have to process those feelings when he's ready. What feels like a void in the physical space, the empty place where we once held him, will in time sit alongside a fullness in the heart, mind, and soul. Jimmy, Wesley lives within you, sharing your journey just as you did together from the moment you were born until his passing.

I also stand here as a sibling. Siblings are another powerful force in my life. Being a brother has brought me immense joy and pride. Vada, Riley, and Jimmy know the comfort of waking up and always having a playmate, a companion, someone to challenge them. And I don't mean challenging each other in fights or battles, though those surely happen, but rather someone to push you to grow, to compete with, and to become a better version of yourself.

As they grow older, I believe Wesley will continue to be that challenger for Vada, Riley, and especially Jimmy. A quiet support system. An internal voice forever within them, never letting them give up and never leaving them without love.

Lastly, I stand here as a parent. I am the father of two young boys, one who is three years older than Wesley and the other who is nine months older. Although one of my sons has been on this earth a little longer than the other, the love and attachment I feel for both is exactly the same. To Meg and Matt, I can't imagine what you've walked through this past year. As a parent myself, I only know how deep that love goes, and I know yours for Wesley was bottomless. You two are the most loving parents any children could ever have. As soon as I walk into your house, the feeling of family and love is palpable. Wesley was so deeply loved, and so deeply held, every single day he was here. No child could have been more cherished. And while none of us wanted to let him go, I take comfort knowing Wesley isn't alone where he is. He's with Miles and all the loved ones who went before us. Our family on the other side is holding him now, the same way we held him here.

To Wesley,

I've been on this earth for 35 years, and I haven't endured anything close to what you did in one. Yet you fought through major heart surgery and this brutal battle this past month, all while greeting me with that smile every single time I saw you. Everyone keeps saying the same thing about that smile: it was unique, and it could make time slow down. They're right. It has been the honor of my life to have known you, to have witnessed your curiosity about life, your happiness, and your quiet strength. You now live on in each of us, making us stronger every single day. I thank you, and I love you, nephew.

Love,
Uncle Andrew

Grief Is Like Glitter

Read at Wesley's service by his grandmothers, Pinky McGreevy and Sue Prisuta.

Grief is like glitter. In the beginning. It's everywhere, on your hands, in your hair, scattered across every corner of your life. You try to clean it up, to restore some sense of order, and for a while, it seems like you've succeeded.

But then, one day, you move a sofa or open a forgotten drawer, and there it is again - a tiny sparkle that catches the light and reminds you of what you lost.

It doesn't go away completely. It settles, becomes quieter, less overwhelming. You learn to live with it, to carry it gently. And years later, when you find a bit of that glitter tucked behind a shelf, you might smile, maybe even laugh .. because it reminds you of love, of connection, of someone who mattered deeply.

Eventually something will catch your eye - a photo, a favorite song, a familiar scent, and instead of pain, you'll feel warmth. That's the quiet truth about grief. It stays with you, but it changes. It becomes a part of our story, a soft echo of the love that never really left.

We love you and miss you, our little angel
Wesley Robert Prisuta

Happy To Be Here

A poem from Wesley's grandmother, Pinky McGreevy.

A loving family home awaits
The arrival of their boys
What would life ahead look like
Beyond the books and toys

Children bring us laughter
kisses, hugs and love
Sometimes a child's life
Brings a message from above

His smile and his starry eyes
A dimple sweet and dear
Words unspoken, we hear him say
"I'm just happy to be here"

This lion-hearted warrior
With courage beyond compare
Led all of us to faith and trust
That he was in God's care

His praying hands, small yet strong
Like a loving message clear
Although our time may not be long
"I'm just happy to be here"

Forever in our hearts he'll be
As we go from day to day
And if we listen closely
We can hear our angel say

My life is now in heaven
No need to shed a tear
Although I loved my time on earth
"I'm happy to be here"

We love you, Wesley Robert Prisuta