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| We will love you forever, Austy |
| Austin at 10 months old |
| Austin Junk's Baptism |
| There is only one way into the kingdom of heaven and that is the way of the little child--the way of trust. Austin trusted his family--mom, dad, sister, grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all that reached out to him in love. He came into this world faced with extra challenges, but the people who cared about him faced those challenges with him.
Austin knew he was loved and this enabled him to be patient, almost beyond belief. His mother told me that he would sit on the floor and patiently wait while she finished her tasks. His body had to endure so many pokes and pricks, so many probes and punctures, so many hurts and humiliations--it's a wonder he did not curl himself into a ball and hide from all of life. But no, Austin trusted himself into the arms of Jesus and into the arms of those whom Jesus appointed to be Austin beloved family members and friends. Jesus said, "If you don't change and become like this child standing beside him; and he was speaking to his disciples, answering their question about rank or status in the kingdom of heaven� Surely, this is a lesson for our time, as well. In what way do you and I need to change and become like this child-- like Austin, for example? Could it be that we have given in to despair? Have we allowed ourselves to be swallowed up by pessimism? Austin could teach us about despair and pessimism. He could tell us that they are part of the devil's arsenal and that they have no power over the person who trusts God's promises. Of course, Austin's faith in God was not fully developed--and whose is? But the seed of the Gospel was planted within him in Holy Baptism. And that seed was growing--day by day by day. And his loved ones helped that little plant to prosper. If your life is clouded by despair or pessimism, perhaps you can think of Austin and the way he smiled and said his sister's name for the first time--just after his bath on the night he went home to be with Jesus. In John Bunyan's book, The Pilgrim's Progress, there is the part when Christian and Hopeful encounter the enemy, Great Despair, and are thrown into the dungeon in Doubting Castle. There they are tortured and starved, for days on end. One night Christian exclaims, "What a fool am I, thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom called Promise, that will open any lock in Doubting Castle." So, with new hope, the two pilgrims unlock the doors and enter again upon the King's highway. There is a promise meant for Austin, for you and for me. The person who made the promise said: "I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never die." (John 11:25-26 That's the key that unlocks every door in Doubting Castle. This promise banishes despair and pessimism. This promise helps us become like little children before God's throne of grace. The One who made this promise is none other than Jesus, who also says, "Austin, You are the Greatest!" What does it mean to become like little children? Could it have something to do with appreciation for the little things, the common things of life? Like music and bright colors and being outdoors? Austin could not articulate his enjoyment of these everyday things, but he had other ways of communicating. His dad told me about eye blinking that took place between the two of them, only a few days after Austin was born. Think of it--only a few days into this world! Later, Austin and his dad would mimic one another by flaring nostrils, snorting and rolling eyeballs. You've got to love it! How can anyone fail to see something of the kingdom of heaven in the little things that occur between a father and his son? Jesus left such a relationship, if we understand the Bible as a message about family. He left his Father's House in order to make it possible for us to enter that House. He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins and he rose from the grave on Easter morning to guarantee our resurrection from the dead. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except by me. (John 14:6) Now, that's good news. There is a way to the Father. It is by trusting Jesus, God's beloved Son. Nothing more is required except trust--simple, childlike trust. The kind of trust exemplified by Austin. Austin, You Are the Greatest! Not because we say so, but because Jesus says so May it also be said of us, because we have humbled ourselves before God and have become like little ones.; Amen |
| Austin Michael Junk was born at the Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, Iowa, on April 13, 1999 to Mark and Elizabeth (Beth) Junk. Faced with several health challenges, Austin was baptized by Chaplain David Bur and then transferred by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals. Two weeks later, he arrived home in Ames. Traveling with him from Iowa City were his Parents, his sister, Mary, and his maternal grandparents, Michael and Thresia Gustafson of Maxwell, Iowa.
Austin's next months were filled with visits by family, friends and medical specialists. Friends included Austin's Godparents, Jackie and Doug Royer, and their children, A.J. and Samuel. Sam (two months younger) and Austin played together and sometimes bathed together. One of Beth and Mark's memories is Sam's first birthday-at a park in Story City. Sam wanted to play and was inviting Austin to join him. Sam touched Austin's cheek and tugged at his eye as though to say �Let's go!� Therapists - what precious gifts they are. They and Austin's parents learned together how best to address his unique challenges. Austin had his own way of dealing with them. When the therapists came through the door and greeted him with "Hi Austy! "he would close his eyes, droop his head, and play opossum. Then, as soon as they went out the door, he would open those big beautiful eyes and be rarin' to go. Austin's visiting nurses, including Sonya Haskin and Kathy Dobill, have been every bit the Florence Nightingales of Austin's life. And Austin's doctors, including John Paschen and Adrian Woolley, have been so special. Dr. Paschen waded through article after article provided by Beth (via nightly journeys on the Internet) and did what he could to apply lessons learned. He helped the family prepare for the inevitable and was present to offer encouragement when that time came, just as he had promised. Dr. Woolley always had something positive to say, and her practiced touch meant so much to Austin. This little guy traveled quite a lot during his brief time here. Trips to Grandma and Grandpa Gustafson's home were frequent. Austin spent four days in Chicago with his family, visiting the University of Chicago Hospital and Sightseeing along Lake Michigan. There also was a recent trip to Kansas City, on the way to see Great-Grandparents John and LaVonne Gustafson in Mission, Texas - a wonderful experience captured on film. An earlier trip to Texas was interrupted-with Mom administering CPR to Austin while Dad and Mary searched for the closest hospital. This event also brought a blessing to Austin's loved ones - a reminder to cherish every moment. Austin took leave of this world early Sunday morning, March 25. He chose to go in a way that seemed best to him - at home, in his bed, with his mom, dad and sister safe nearby. Efforts by first responders and emergency room staff at Mary Greeley Hospital were immediate and heroic, yet it was not to be. Austin was only three weeks away from celebrating his second birthday; but everything was all right - his family had treated every day of his life as a celebration. Furthermore, the gifts he brought to the party had filled the hearts of all that entered his world. May God bless the memory of Austin Michael Junk. |
| I have written a poem in memory of my son, Austin |
| Austin, My Little Cuddle Bear |
| I am sitting here at my computer like I did so many days and nights. Thinking of you and how you brought us so much joy and delight. Missing my little boy who was so full of life. The pain in my heart is like someone has pierced it with a knife. I would not trade a single day that I have had with you. We will miss your great big eyes of blue. You blessed us with your presence here on earth. You taught us so much sine your birth. So until we see each other again, my little cuddle bear, I will remember all the great times all of us have shared. Written with all my love, Your "Ma, Ma" Elizbeth Junk |
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