ROANOKE RAPIDS — Dylan Moore would have been 8 years old Friday. The brave youngster didn’t make the party. A rare blood disease, Fancon Anemia, took his life earlier this year, but still family, friends, neighbors and strangers came together to say, “Happy Birthday.”

Della Batts | Daily Herald Well-wishers gathered on the lawn of the American Legion Fairgrounds Friday evening to wish Dylan Moore a happy birthday. In a single motion, they let go of the rainbow colored balloons and watched them rise into the sky. Advertisement

The crowd gathered at the American Legion Fairgrounds to celebrate Dylan Moore Day, through a proclamation by Roanoke Rapids Mayor Drewery Beale.

Beale was emotional as he read the proclamation and presented it to Dylan’s family. While Beale said he never personally met Dylan, like many he felt like he knew him, adding Dylan touched him and reminded him to live, to remember and to trust.

“We all have plans,” said Beale and continued, “Sometimes those plans don’t coincide with God’s plans and we ask questions. But God knew what he was doing and we have to accept those things and never lose our memories.”

Mayor pro tem of Gaston Louise Bailey also expressed her pride in presenting a similar proclamation from the town of Gaston.

Dylan’s family gathered on the stage while photos from Dylan’s life scrolled across the screen behind them. His mother, Betsy expressed the family’s gratitude.

To honor Dylan’s life and his birthday there were cowboy games, lots of food, face painting and rainbow colored balloons in a birthday party designed to memorialize the child who touched a community with brilliance and light, innocence and wisdom.

Jimmy Dozier and his grandson Adam Winbourn brought their American spotted draft horses and a wagon and gave hay rides around the fairgrounds.

Dozier, who is from Rocky Mount and part of Cowboys for Christ, said he met Dylan during a fundraiser in Halifax. He gave him a ride on the horses and wanted to be part of celebrating his life.

“Dylan wanted a cowboy birthday and we’re helping to celebrate,” he said. Everyone at the event was given a rainbow colored balloon and they all gathered on the lawn. At once, everyone said “Happy Birthday Dylan!” and let the balloons go. They rose into the sky then hovered for a moment as one. Everyone watched as they twisted and danced in the heavens like multi-colored polka dots, until they were finally swallowed up in the clouds. They remembered Dylan.

Eight years ago Dylan was born to Betsy and Clyde “Peanut” Moore. He looked just like every other child. He had 10 fingers and toes. He yawned and ate and cried and slept.

But Dylan was special and while people worked and prayed for a cure for his disease, he was working and praying for a cure for his would be saviors. Dylan’s friends and family remembered how he re-introduced them to rainbows and daffodils, hot dogs and cowboy outfits. He reminded them of what is truly important in life Š to live and be happy.

On July 26, Dylan finished his work here and went home to be with the angels. Dylan Moore Day was an opportunity to pay tribute with laughter and fun. “I really appreciate all the sponsors and volunteers that made today possible,” said Betsy. “Without them we couldn’t have had this.”