Sawyer Lane Jarrell

Sawyer Lane Jarrell, a perfect blue-eyed baby boy, was born July 25, 2014, to Randall Bilbo Jarrell of Picayune, Mississippi, and Mary Elizabeth Ashe-Jarrell of Bogalusa, Louisiana. He was also the beloved “Bubby” to his big sister, Aliviyah Caedynce Jarrell, and his puppy dog besties: Willow, Henry, and Charlie.

Sawyer lived in Picayune all his life, but more often than not, you could find him living it up at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans, Louisiana. There, on 3-Center, his home away from home, he and his faithful stuffed companion “Monk Monk” were surrounded by an extraordinary medical team and, perhaps more importantly according to Sawyer, his favorite New Orleans ladies.

Because of a rare, terminal illness, Menkes Syndrome, Sawyer became a frequent flyer at Children’s Hospital at the tender age of three months old. Over the course of his twelve years of life, Sawyer and his family built countless friendships within those hospital walls.

But if Sawyer could tell the story himself, he would probably tell you that it was his funny personality, impeccable sense of style, ever-changing hairstyles-the man bun, and the mohawk, and undeniable charm that earned him an endless list of “girlfriends”—nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, residents, and countless others who loved him unconditionally and spoiled him unbelievably rotten every chance they got.

Sawyer never got to see Disneyland, but when his “girlfriends” went, they made sure to bring a little bit of its magic home to him every single time.

Over the years Sawyer and his family earned the title of CHNOLA Royalty, with Sawyer “unofficially” crowned the King of 3-Center. And what king would be complete without his very own throne room? For Sawyer, that was the “Sawyer Suite”, Room 317, where he and his family made a home during many hospital stays and where he received the finest care, pampering, and bedside service that Blue Cross Blue Shield could buy.

Sawyer did not experience the world in the same way most children do. He couldn't walk, run, or speak—but none of that ever stopped him from rolling in on four wheels and loving his way straight into someone's heart. And it certainly did not stop him from living an incredibly full life. Though many of his wildest adventures were spent at the hospital; he still made time to have plenty outside too. Sawyer loved camping. He loved to be outside in the fresh air, sunshine, and listening to the birds sing. He loved being surrounded by his family and snuggling with his Momma. A little man who just enjoyed the simple pleasures in life just like his Daddy.

Someone looking at Sawyer's life from the outside might think of all the things he missed, but those who had the privilege of knowing him know better.

Sawyer did not live a small life. Sawyer lived BIG, and he loved even BIGGER.

His world may have been different, but it was overflowing with something many people spend a lifetime searching for: love. Pure, unconditional, extraordinary love.

Sawyer knew goodness. He knew tenderness. He knew the safety of being surrounded by people who absolutely adored him. He knew what it was like to enter a room and have faces light up simply because he was there. He knew nurses who became family, doctors who became friends, and an entire hospital floor that became a second home. He knew what it was like to be loved, celebrated, doted on, fought for, protected, and spoiled absolutely rotten.

And Sawyer didn't just simply receive all of that love.

He gave it back.

Freely. Completely. Unconditionally.

Sawyer never needed words to tell someone he loved them. His smile did that for him. That big, gummy, toothless smile was sunshine—bright, warm, unmistakable. It could soften the hardest day, bring laughter into a hospital room, and remind everyone around him that even in the midst of extraordinarily difficult circumstances, there was still joy to be found.

If you were lucky enough to be loved by Sawyer, you knew it. You saw it in the way his whole face changed when he recognized you with his beautiful blue eyes or the sound of your voice. You felt it in his smile. You knew that, in the only language he ever needed, he was saying:

“I know you. I see you. I'm happy you're here. I love you.”

And perhaps that is Sawyer's greatest legacy.

His body placed limits on many of the things he could do, but it could never place limits on his capacity to love or his ability to be loved.

He never spoke a word, yet somehow, he told hundreds of people exactly what they meant to him.

He never took a single step, yet he traveled farther into the hearts of others than most people ever will. He never needed to do extraordinary things to make his life extraordinary.

He simply loved and allowed himself to be loved in return.

Sawyer Lane Jarrell was here.

He mattered.

He was known.

He made an impact in the lives of the people he knew and many he didn’t.

He was cherished beyond measure.

And because so many people had the privilege of loving him, pieces of Sawyer will continue living in this world long after his four wheels have made their final trip down the halls of 3-Center. The King may leave his throne, but the love he created there will remain. And what a beautiful, enormous life he lived and an incredible legacy he leaves behind.

Those who love him are left to cherish his life, love, and his sweet, sweet smile, and they are too many to name.

A celebration of life worthy of, and as extraordinary as, the beautiful life Sawyer lived and the love he gave will be announced at a later date.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, is honored to serve the family. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com .