On Monday of last week (6/22/2009), my brother Charles's daughter, Marli Jean Hockett, my beautiful niece, was born.

Last night, after only a few short days on Earth, she died of developmental complications. She peacefully went to sleep in her mother's arms as her father held her hand, surrounded by a room full of people who loved her more dearly than any of us could have imagined. Though she has left us for a far better place, where she will be free of any pain and suffering for all eternity, all of us were profoundly blessed by our brief time with her. And in ways we may never fully understand, but will forever cherish and be thankful for.

We will love her, miss her, and celebrate her for the rest of our lives.