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Rainbow colored ribbons adorned the stately pillars at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, a reminder of Dylan’s love for rainbows, and the strength and hope they brought him and his family as they faced innumerable difficulties.
The theater stage was filled with flowers. His tiny casket was laid with yellow daffodils and blue roses. Close to him were his cowboy boots and guitar.
Country music played on the loud speakers while a photo-montage of Dylan’s life scrolled slowly across the screen. Members of the Halifax Academy football team dressed in their uniforms served as his pallbearers. As they entered, the curtain closed on the montage leaving only shadowy figures in the light. They faded as the family entered. The pianist played “Jesus Loves Me.”
Each family member held a single daffodil for Dylan. He had hoped to see the daffodils this spring when he was scheduled to come home, but his illness overcame him. The pianist played, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Quiet sobbing could be heard throughout the room.
The Rev. Steve Mullenix spoke of life and hope to the family and friends. He encouraged everyone to celebrate Dylan’s life, but acknowledged our human loss.
The Rev. Larry Chandler reminded mourners of Job and the grief he felt when he lost his children during his trials in Job 1:18-22. He reminded them of how Job did not sin through his loss. He continued to trust God and never questioned His ways.
People stood and shared their memories of Dylan. They spoke of the happy times they had and how he changed their lives. “I saw a rainbow the day he died,” shared one man.
“He gave more life in seven years than most people give in a lifetime,” said a woman through her tears.
Dylan’s doctor from Norfolk stood and shared how Dylan use to dress up like a doctor when he came in for his visits. “He always gave me a bill before he left,” he said with a broken laugh.
“Are you the doctor that gave him the $5 million check?” asked the Reverend Steve.
“I’m the one,” he said. He gripped the back of the chair then said, “I missed him when he went to Minnesota, now I will miss him forever.”
Charlie Sieber wrote a song for Dylan. As he sang he asked the question, “Did you ever have to look down to look up to someone?” Then the tears rolled freely as everyone tried to join Sieber in “You Are My Sunshine.”
Mullenix, who knew and loved Dylan, shared his memories of happier times when Dylan laid aside his cowboy boots to dress up like a preacher. He put on a suit and dress shoes to go to church and it brought him joy when the preacher noticed. He told of how Dylan took great joy in being able to go swimming during the family’s last vacation. He shared how much this child loved his family and longed to comfort them. Then he spoke of how Jesus wept at the passing of his friend Lazarus and reminded us we are compelled to put aside our anger and grief to accept what is right and best in the eyes of our Lord.
The recessional was “Happy Trails to You.” Dylan Moore was laid to rest at the Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery ... “Until we meet again.”
Comments
amanda wrote on Aug 20, 2009 3:24 PM:
I hope Dylan's story will inspire people to register as a life-saving bone marrow donors in his memory.
dkmsamericas.org/category/marrow-donors "
Ellen Harlow wrote on Aug 13, 2009 12:28 PM:
Patricia Mcfarland wrote on Aug 8, 2009 5:37 PM:
Lori wrote on Aug 7, 2009 9:47 PM:
Marie wrote on Aug 5, 2009 12:12 PM: