Rohan Anthony Barringer

Thank you to all our friends and loved ones for lighting candles, leaving tributes and photos for
Rohan. A wise person once said that as long as a person lives on in our hearts and in our memories,
they will never die... I am praying for that day when the darkness of grief gives way to the light
and beauty of memories made in much happier times.

My baby, Rohan, was full of life, and full of love. His brief life was lived to the fullest,
thoroughly enjoying all that came his way…except maybe for chores and homework. He loved his
birds Sushi and Rex, and wanted more than anything to have a cat, a dog, a turtle and any and all
butterflies that were unlucky enough to get caught in his net. His real passion, however, was
dinosaurs. I made dinosaur- shaped pancakes, and bought a cake tin shaped like his favorite T-Rex.
If I sent him to read a book, guaranteed it would be about some dinosaur or the other. His spelling
tests had to be done on his dino-printed paper, and nothing made him happier than the day he got his
dinosaur comforter and pillows. He wanted to be a paleontologist even before he knew what that
was…as long as it was dino-related, that was good enough for him.
Rohan was born on April 16th, 2001 in Colts Neck, NJ. I named him Rohan for my little brother who
was born on that same day, but had passed away at several months old. Jim, Rohan’s natural father
who himself passed away six years ago, would often say that when life riled him up, Rohan would calm
him down. He was a source of comfort and affection to me all these years. He would play with my
hair, stroke my cheek, and then in his silly voice, tell me something completely outrageous. I once
asked him why he was always so silly, and his response was that he just wanted everybody to be
happy.

He was a dreamer who would come up with all these characters like Huggy-Boy and
Kissy-Boy…unfortunately for Bree,his older sister, she was the usual target for his displays of
affection. So often he would chase her around the house trying to give her a kiss, until she would
run to me or hide in her room. Tony, his step-dad, would often be surprised to find instead of a
full glass of water on the counter, it would be an empty, lip-smudged one instead. I miss my
waterboy. He didn’t care for soda at all, but would light up when I made him triple chocolate
shake. Wonder who he got his love for chocolate from?

I remember our trip to Busch Gardens a year ago, when we visited the flamingoes. Rohan was so
excited! He stood there watching them, until his uncharacteristic patience was rewarded. Mango,
the flamingo, came over and started digging for bugs in Rohan’s curls. It was probably the
highlight of that year. He was so thrilled; he didn’t stop talking about it for weeks.

December 26th, we had gone cycling as a family. After riding along the bike trail for a
couple miles, we headed back. Bree, Rohan and I were riding in front, with Tony and my aunt Michelle
walking behind. We got back to the barrier where a pedestrian crossing connects the trail to the
parking lot where we had left our van. While waiting for traffic to clear, I adjusted his helmet
and told him "boy, this helmet won't help you one bit if you fall off..." He had it on the back of
his head. I also made him switch back bikes with Bree, cause he had been riding hers with legs off
to the side, huge grin across his face...but would get a bit wobbly every now and then. Finally, I
said to them, "when I say "go, you go!" After the last car had passed, I gave the signal and we
started across. We were just about to cross the third lane when I saw the truck coming in our lane.
I slowed down as I got back unto the trail, and Bree rode past me. I looked back to see Rohan just
about to enter that third lane. I jumped off and yelled "STOP! DON'T MOVE!", but the very next thing
I heard was a THUMP, and his bike and crocs went flying. The truck passed and there was no Rohan.
Finally, the truck stopped and there he was behind the back wheel, crumpled and broken. I ran over
to him, took his helmet off and just held him in my lap, telling him how much I loved him. My
curly-haired boy with the big smile was no more.

What can a heartbroken Mom say? My world was turned upside down and life will never be the same.
My baby boy is gone, but God is still faithful and good. God allowed me to have him for but a short
while, but it was long enough to accomplish His purpose. He taught me about loving people, even the
seeming unlovely. He has yet to meet a stranger, and everyone was his friend. He taught me about
forgiveness, and about the futility of holding a grudge. And boy, his hundred and one questions
taught me patience!! I would give anything for just one more question right now. Reminds me of
that line, “we cannot Lord Thy purpose see, but all is well that is done by Thee.”

Like Job, I say, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” I
never failed to realize that he was a gift from the Lord, here for but a while. The Lord in His
graciousness allowed me to home school, and gave me additional opportunities to teach this precious
one of mine all about his loving Savior. I think Jesus’ ears will be ringing for a while yet,
although I’m sure if He points Rohan to “dino-heaven,” there won’t be a peep out of him. We
miss you, beloved one, but we know you are home, and as happy as could be. We thank God for all the
moments you shared with us, and we are grateful for the seven and a half years in which you touched
our lives and left your mark. So now, may the Lord bless you and keep you, and cause His face to
shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give
you, and us, His peace. Sleep well, my baby boy, Mama loves you.