Bare Feet, Flip-Flops And Pink Balloons Honor Meagan Wilburn

October 16, 2011

A group of children — most barefoot or wearing flip-flops — released pink balloons skyward Saturday afternoon as their family member, friend and classmate Megan Wilburn, 9, was laid to rest at the Dry Springs Community Church on South Pineville Road.

The Bratt Elementary School fourth grader died Tuesday after an ATV accident in Walnut Hill.

Meagan never liked to wear shoes, according to her mother Rebekah Wilburn, and she was buried barefoot.  Those attending the funeral service were asked to go barefoot or wear flip-flops, while perhaps hundreds more across the country wore flip-flops Saturday in Meagan’s honor.

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Pictured top: Pink balloons are released skyward Saturday afternoon at the Dry Springs Community Church following the graveside service for 9-year old Meagan Wilburn. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

8 Responses to “Bare Feet, Flip-Flops And Pink Balloons Honor Meagan Wilburn”

  1. Paula Kiger on October 20th, 2011 11:03 am

    Please accept my condolences and prayers.

  2. Br. Alberto Guimaraes SFO on October 17th, 2011 10:03 am

    Peace and Good, Rebekah and more Meagan’ s relatives!
    I present you my condoleances.
    Be sure I’ ll pray for the Eternal Rest of our dear barefoot little girl.
    Sure she is close Jesus, Mary and Francis, great barefooters of the History of the Church!
    Fraternal greetings!
    Br. Alberto Guimaraes SFO
    Braga Secular Franciscan Fraternity – Portugal

  3. MQ on October 16th, 2011 12:10 pm

    Dear Megan’s Mom,
    In your deep grief, one thing my late mother in law taught me was everyone grieves in their own way and time. Don’t let anyone tell you how to “handle” things or what you “should” do. Listen, and then do what is best for YOU. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  4. just me on October 16th, 2011 10:39 am

    I am deeply sorry for your pain and loss. 5 years ago, my son went to be an angel as well. For a very long time, I blamed God for taking my baby boy away from me and constantly wondered what had I done wrong. Now, after all this time, I still have a gaping hole in my heart, but the time has eased the pain. It will never go away, but it will get better after time. Unfortunately the only thing(besides God) that helps, is time. Nothing will ever replace Meagan, but there will come a time when you can see her picture or her toys or stuffed animals, and they will make you smile again.
    My only peace is knowing that in heaven, they are always surrounded by loving arms and protected by angel wings. I don’t have to worry about my son hurting or having to go through the rough times that are here presently and ahead of us.
    I don’t blame God anymore, because I know he was protecting my baby. I’m not sure what from, but something that he couldn’t handle here on earth.
    I also know the anger you probably feel as you read all these comments, thinking no one understands. The truth is, circumstances are always different for each mother, father, brother, sister or grandparent, but the hurt is the same in many ways. Keep close to your other children, their laughter and smiles and hugs and I love you’s will help more than you feel they ever could.

  5. A friend on October 16th, 2011 10:18 am

    I miss Meagon so bad.She was butiful

  6. gus on October 16th, 2011 10:17 am

    After my dad passed away I started writing a jorunal, it has gotten to be more like letters to him, they start hi daddy and end with I love you. It helped me. My prayers are with you and your family!

  7. Wileen King on October 16th, 2011 9:26 am

    Rebekah,

    You do not know me however I am a mother of two and a grandmother of three. I know something of the path you now find yourself on, a path you are on not by your choice. My husband died March 30, 2010 which put me on the walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. I had come out of the depths of despair and back into the sunlight where I had many more good days than bad, joy and laughter had returned to my life.

    You are on a roller coaster of emotions. The dips will be terrible and overwhelming, but I promise the day will come when the dips aren’t as deep and not quite as often. I had a terrible gaping wound in my heart and it takes time for that wound to heal from the inside out. I learned that when those waves of impossible pain and tears would wash over me, by crying out to God for help, the waves would pass. I could not stop them from happening, but God carried me through them each time.

    As a mother and grandmother I know that your walk is going to be terrible. All Meagan’s grandparents, her sister, brother, father, and you, feel that a part of you has been ripped away, and it has. Put your faith in God, He will carry you, He will hold you up, He will not desert you as you walk, one step at a time, through the Valley.

    My husband has settled into a sweet spot in my heart and will always be a part of me, we were married for 37 years. The same will happen for you Rebekah. I would like to share a website with you that has been a help to me. Http:/www.grief share.org/. You will get a short message everyday for 365 days. I am on my second round of daily readings and am amazed at the healing that has happened in my life as I reread the messages. Turn to your God, all your family, and your friends as you make this walk and you will come out of the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

    Leenak

  8. Fred on October 16th, 2011 5:48 am

    Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can not heal, to the family and friends you are in our prayers as you start you healing process.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News