Dustin Thomas Wilkinson
January 21, 1982 to March 29, 1998

Dustin Wilkinson, the son of Dave and Donna Wilkinson and the brother of Lindsay and Ryan, died at age 16 from a brain tumor. His name means "Valiant Fighter", and throughout his short life he was just that. He had a constant smile, despite his disabilities. Emily Matthews wrote: "Those who share their laughter and their smiles with everyone, and help others feel a sense of their own worth, are God's own special angels who pass this way but once, but who truly make a difference here on earth."

Dustin taught us so much that we never would have known without him. His memory lives on in many ways, including through an inspirational e-mail ministry that his father began on the first anniversary of Dustin's death. You can learn more about it by clicking SOUND BITES

Visitor from Heaven
Words by Twila Paris

A visitor from heaven
If only for a while
A gift of love to be returned
We think of you and smile

A visitor from heaven
Accompanied by grace
Reminding of a better love
and of a better place

With aching hearts and empty arms
We send you with a name
It hurts so much to let you go
But we're so glad you came
We're so glad you came

A visitor from heaven
If only a brief stay
We thank God for the time He gave
And now it's time to say
We trust you to the Father's love
And to His tender care
Held in the everlasting arms
And we're so glad you're there
We're so glad you're there
With breaking hearts and open hands
We send you with a name
It hurts so much to let you go
But we're so glad you came
We're so glad you came