1998~2005 		son, brother, police officer, bad-guy fighter, athlete, ninja,
knight, movie star, friend -- there wasn't much that Griffin
Yarbrough did not do in his lifetime. FULL STORY


BIOGRAPHY

Dad's first memory:
  • At the hospital in West Covina, CA, July 13th, 1998: Monique has been in labor for four hours, and Griffin is in distress. His heart rate is dropping with each push, then going back up to normal after the pushing. The Infinite and The Angels are trying to pull our Griffin away from us for the first time. The Doctors (finally!) decide to do a C-section, and it's about time. They sedate Monique and make me put on scrubs. I go into the room, and poor Monique is awake, and talking to me, but her body is completely asleep. The nurse told me that I should sit behind a shield so that I cannot see the actual surgery - never mind that, I want to see my baby Griffin! I stand up. I am holding on to Monique's hand and watching the surgery. The Ultrasound (I can't read an ultrasound, but I can see it and know exactly what I am looking at), shows the cord is wrapped around Griffin's neck. The Angels are very adamant about taking him now. The medical team pulls him out. He is quiet - he is blue. They hit him somehow, I think I remember a pound on the back, and he cries and immediately turns pink. They wrap him up in a blanket. I hold him first, and then Monique gets to see him.
 Dad's worst memory:
  • In the clinic on October 22, 2000, in CHLA, it was about 4 or 5pm, and the doctor came in and told us that our son had cancer. The powers that be are trying to take him away from us. But not without a great fight. Thus begins the battles between the angels and god, and three small humans called Griffin, Monique and Barry. The Infinite and The Angels are a very formidable foe, trying to bring The Griffin, who is the protector of treasure, back to the hereafter.
 Dad's last memory:
  • The last memory: At the hospital, in the bed in room 10-422, Dallas Texas: Tuesday, January 4, 2005 4:30am : I grasp Griffin's hand, and hold it for a few minutes. I lean forward and give him a kiss on his hand. I continue to hold his hand for a few minutes, and he asks for a drink of water. I lean over to the bedside table and get the cup of ice water with the bendy-straw. I hold the cup just above his shoulder and let him drink. He gulps it. His breathing is shallow. He coughs, and water comes out of his mouth, he takes two more breaths, and then he takes his last breath. I start crying and give him a big hug, and tell him "Goodbye Griffin, I love you so much." I get off the bed and leave the room. That is the last time I saw Griffin. It was very peaceful.
The Infinite always wins, but we managed a great fight.
The Dallas service was held in January 8th, 2005:

Click here for pictures

The Spirit of the Eagle Award

The Spirit of the Eagle Award was presented to Griffin's parents during the memorial and special awards ceremonies held at the Dallas Polics Headquarters on Saturday, January 8th, 2005, by Boy Scouts of America.

This award was created by the Boy Scouts of America as an honorary posthumous special recognition for a registered youth member who has lost his/her life in an accident of through illness. The award is bestowed by the National Court of Honor as part of the celebration of life of Griffin K. Yarbrough. It recognizes the joy, happiness, and life-fulfilling experiences the Scouting program made in his life.
Little trooper succumbs to cancer
11:26 PM CST on Saturday, January 8, 2005
By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA-TV

Six-year-old Griffin Yarbrough fought cancer three times. He passed away Tuesday but not before his final wish came true.

Griffin saw the bright things in life, even during his darkest days.

"He just hated to say goodbye, but last week he was saying goodbye, " his grandmother Vivi Petris said. "He said the best day will be the day I go to heaven."

Griffin was diagnosed with cancer when he was only 2. He battled the disease for 3 years, but he never failed to put a smile on the faces of those who loved him.

When he had to get all his teeth capped because the chemo had caused them to decay, he joked about it. "He said 'Mom, I look like a pirate. It's pretty cool,'" Monique Yarbrough recalled.

Besides wanting to be a superhero and a movie star, Griffin's dream was to be a police officer. He befriended Dallas police officer Dane White whose own daughter has battled cancer.

About a week and a half before he died, the Dallas Police Department made Griffin an honorary officer.

"I would have loved for Griffin to grow up and be my partner," White said, "but I know that right now Griffin is looking over me and 2,500 other Dallas police officers. He's going to protect us the best he can."

Griffin's memorial service was held at DPD headquarters. Everyone dressed in red, his favorite color. The tactical team saluted the family and honored them with a flag.

Griffin's family said they will cremate his body and his ashes will be spread over the ocean in California, just as he wanted.

THE FUTURE:

You are Griffin's friend, and I know you may not be comfortable talking about the loss. This message is for you so that you can be more comfortable talking with family, and we can have a friendship without becoming awkward. We lost someone very close to us, and we will be forever changed.
  • Don't call him sweety or honey or baby. Please call him Buddy, Griffy, Griffin or Dude.
  • Don't be shy - Griffin wasn't.
  • We enjoy going to the spa or getting nails done or seeing a movie or hanging out with you. If you want me to join you, it is ok to ask me.
  • For holidays and birthdays, if you feel the need, it is ok to send a gift of remembrance - anything engraved with Griffin's name and birthday. His name is Griffin Kane Yarbrough and he was born on July 13th, 1998. Or, please use the money to donate to charity in lieu.
  • Don't send flowers - These are beautiful and expensive and we don't need to see them wilting in our house, as flowers do, please use the money to donate to charity in lieu. We would be honored to know that you are supporting a cure or treatment.
  • He and his family support the following charities: If you make a donation, let us know, and tell 'em Griffin Yarbrough sent ya...
  • Share a memory of Griffin, and share pictures of him - with me and others.
  • Light a candle on his birthday and/or mothers/fathers day, and days of personal importance to you and/or Griffin.
  • Humor is fun and laughter is welcome.
  • Plant a memorial tree or plant.
  • You can say 'Happy Mothers/Fathers Day' - or send a card or a hug - we will appreciate it.
  • Send Griffin an email message, who really knows, he may read them. His email address is griffin@griffinyarbrough.com - his parents read them aloud, so that when he is watching us, he can hear them, so don't tell us any of his secrets...
  • Last and most importantly - Say 'Griffin' a lot- it keeps him alive and fresh in memory. It is like music to my ears to hear Griffin's name. Ask me about some fond memories of Griffin.
These guidelines were written because sometimes, people are not as comfortable as they would like to be when thinking about Griffin. His life was full of play, and communication and friendship. He brought people out from their shells, including his dad.
[Thanks to Shelly L. for sharing her experiences, resulting in this list.]


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