Shaunna Merritt, who inspired the song “Every Moment”, was diagnosed with Potters Syndrome, a fatal birth defect, at 18 weeks gestation. Darby, her mother, chose to carry her to term and cherish every kick, every hiccup session, and every last moment with her knowing that any day could be their last together.

On January 30, 2009, Shaunna was born into this world very much alive. She outlived the doctor’s forecast and blessed her family with two and a half hours of life. The Merritts cherished every moment with her. They enjoyed hearing her make sweet little noises, and gazing in her deep blue eyes. They held her close knowing their time would be short, locking into memory every detail of their precious Angel.

Upon reflection a year later the Merritts wrote:

“I really wish that we could have been blessed with Shaunna for more than a few hours, but we are so thankful for the short time that we did get with her. I wish we could spend every milestone with her, like getting her first tooth, taking her first step, and her first birthday. Milestones are very sad days for us, but we praise the Lord that she is in Heaven where everything is perfect and painless.”

When I asked her what this album meant to her family, here’s what she had to say:

When I first saw your post on NILMDTS’s website I was numbfounded. Someone from the “outside” world who had never themselves experienced the loss of a child is reaching out to those of us that have–that whole concept is amazing. We were honored enough to have our child selected to be a representation of billions of families a year that experience losing a child. A whole song dedicated to my daughter’s life is more of a gift than I could ever receive to help honor her brief life. In my mind that is as close as it gets to actually having her here with me again. I assure you this album will be played over and over again in my house!

When I was first sent the preview of Shaunna’s song my heart melted, literally. Hearing the preview sent me back to the hospital room while I held my daughter on my chest for those last few minutes of her life. How amazing that a piece of music could do this.

What this album means to me and my husband is something that words cannot describe. There aren’t enough thank you’s or outstanding talents that would even come close to the gratitude we have towards you for recording this CD to remember all of the children that have gone too soon.

Sincerely,

Levi & Darby Merritt
(Shaunna’s parents)

Shaunna’s song, “Every Moment”, will be available on the Now I Sleep album on April 22, 2011.

Steph wrote:

“Thank you for asking me to share our story with you. Dwight and I prayed after each miscarriage that God would someday turn our pain to purpose. We prayed He would use our losses for His glory and help us help others through their pain. I am a very private person. When you called and asked me to share my story it was like God had prepared my heart with courage to go forward. This CD is very important to me because I know it will minister to hearts when words can’t soak in.

Our hallway at home is lined with pictures of each of our children and in the line-up are two poems. These poems are reminders of what Heaven’s nursery is holding for us….our precious Angels. A dear friend gave me a stuffed baby rabbit to hold when tears fill my eyes and my arms long to hold my baby boy. I also made a baby bracelet in anticipation for our baby girl that my hands held only for a moment but my heart will hold forever. These are precious mementoes but I know this CD will touch the hurting hearts of mommies and daddies and help comfort when words and mementos aren’t enough.”

Dwight wrote:

“I felt a great loss and sadness each time Steph had a miscarriage. Even though we did not have a baby to hold in our arms we already had an attachment. We were looking forward to our babies and all the things we would do with them. Praying helped us a great deal. I hope this CD will allow other people to know they are not alone. Once again, thank you for allowing us to be a part of this CD.”

Be part of the healing!  Support the Now I Sleep CD project at http://nowisleepproject.org.

One of my customers, Deb Ingino, shared with me a video of her daughter, Melissa, receiving her Piano Portrait entitled “Scandalous Grace” on her 21st birthday.

Deb Ingino approached me about composing this piano work as a surprise gift for her daughter, Melissa, who is turning twenty-one this December. As we discussed Melissa’s personality and passions, her past and her dreams for the future, it was clear that her parents hold a deep reservoir of love, respect and admiration for her. They look up to her for her grace, wisdom and loyalty.

Outwardly petite, this lamb has grown the heart of a lion. Her fervent advocacy for the weak is seen through her giving and support of Living Water International and lobbying Congress on behalf of Invisible Children. She will not rest while the world around her suffers.

As I read these words from Melissa, this music poured out of my own heart at one sitting. It was a sacred moment, a meditation, that led me to my own worship of the God she describes.

something is broken in this world & i want to hold my tiny palms against the wounds so the Healer can later restore …i’m just a girl in a red hat. A lily among thorns. A dreamer. A free soul with a heart that is deeply Rooted. i believe in scandalous grace. i can survive living simply, as long as my friends and family are close. Someday i want to paint the nails of prostitutes. i treasure the art of listening and genuinely receiving even it means remaining silent.i believe in the practice lectio divina. i have a heart for the feeble and broken. i appreciate loyalty and honesty.i think the study of fine tuning in the universe is mind-altering. i believe in altruism and empathy. i’m a little dirt clod made from the dust but hold the Breath of my Creator. i was once dead but now i am alive. <><.

Scandalous Grace is composed in honor of Melissa Ingino. May God grant her many more years in His service.

Melissa sent me this video to express her gratitude.

Click here to contact John personally about giving a Piano Portrait to your loved one!

Hi my name is Deb Ingino and I just had to leave you this message to tell you how much your music is inspiring me!

If you are familiar with DISC temperament wiring, I’m wired with D/I characteristics and of course one benefit is our amazing capacity to accomplish many things but sometimes it is at the risk of being so high energy it is difficult to unwind. And of course staying wound up for too long can create a block of innovation and ideas.

When I first heard your composition “Dancing With Fireflies”, I was immediately drawn to the beautiful melody and afterwards noticed that I felt a bit relaxed. I then listened to several more of your compositions such as “In The Shadow Of Your Wing”, “The Golden Road” and more. And noticed that not only did I feel relaxed but I felt a flood of new ideas come to mind while listening. I guess giving my mind an opportunity to really relax and unwind was a catalyst to these new thoughts and ideas.

As I continue in my role of President of My Wired Style, I start my day with reading a book from Proverbs and listening to 8 of your amazing songs. Oh and one more thing, our company just finished a video called Give The Dream Wings and we’ve chosen your sweet song “Daddy Daughter Dance” as the musical piece for this video.

So I just want to say thank you, thank you for sharing your amazing talent and thank you for helping this wound up executive from New York to relax and dream while awake!

Deb Ingino
My Wired Style, President

To find out how you can license John’s music for your media project, please visit John’s music licensing page.

Hi, John.

My daughter and I are the BIG FANS of your BEAUTIFUL MUSIC! Every morning, my daughter, Hana (6 years old), comes downstairs when she hears your music. I’ve had a hard time to make her get ready to go to school every morning. BUT now I have your music! Her favorite is “Zuzu’s Petals”. Like your daughters, she dances with your music sometimes. She’s not taking any dance lessons and she’s not a dancer at all, but she can’t help it to dance with your beautiful music. When she listens your music, she asks me “Did Mr. John Thomas create this music, too?” Thank you for posting your concert on your website. We wish we could be there. Hana really wants to listen your music live.

I’m thinking to give this CDs to my kids’ school’s teachers and my families in Tokyo for Christmas presents. Thank you for your great idea, “Save time and money this Christmas!” And for ourselves, I’ll download your music from iTunes.

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent to us! And I pray for you and your family, and your next piano project. I admire your Godly decision.

Please take care,
Yuri Cobia