Dear friends,
Our sweet Julianna went to heaven today. I am stunned and heartbroken, but also thankful. I feel like the luckiest mom in the world, for God somehow entrusted me with this glorious child, and we got almost six years together. I wanted more time, of course, and that’s where the sadness comes in. But she is free now.
I will have more to say later. For now, this is what is in my heart.
Today, I just want the world to know that there was a girl named Julianna.
She was a bright light. An old and delightful soul.
She loved love, and “everyone except for bad guys.”
She was an unabashed princess and she elevated everyone around her. We were all kings, queens, princes and princesses by association.
She urged us to play, to really focus on just playing. She encouraged us to be our most colorful and fabulous self. (One of her last words to me: “What’s that?” to my gray sweater…)
Her mind was “always going.” It took us to a beautiful world without limits.
Her words were startling. Sometimes I thought that people wouldn’t believe the conversations I recorded. How could a five year old know those things? But if you spent any time with her, you knew.
She fought hard to be here, harder than I’ve seen anyone fight, with a body that was too frail for this world. She was so brave — and I hated that she had to be so brave. This last fight was not to be won by her body. It was tired, and it needed to rest. And when it did, she was comfortable.
Today, she is free. Our sweet Julianna is finally free.
Please do not forget her. She lived, she was real, and she mattered.
I cannot believe that she’s gone. Already, I worry that some of her has faded, and I need to remember all of her. The way her warm little hands felt, the hugs she would give by asking you to drape her arm around your neck. The kisses she blew. They never ran out.
Please remember our precious girl: she was Julianna.
Julianna Yuri Snow
25 August 2010 – 14 June 2016
Feature photo and photo on right by Audrie LeGault.
Julianna Yuri 
I’m so very sorry to hear of Julianna’s passing. Your courage and journey has inspired me (my 8-year-old daughter is facing similar challenges.) Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful daughter with the world. She and your family have touched so many people. I look forward to meeting her in Heaven. God bless you all.
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Your family’s news was the first email I read this morning. I’m so sorry for your loss. You were blessed beyond measure to have such a beautiful, witty, insightful, and courageous girl in your life for almost six years. Thank you for sharing her with us.
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To Michelle, Steve and Alex,
You don’t know me, but I truly feel like I have received a gift from God when I started following your blog last year. Today, I feel like I lost a loved one and my heart aches so much for you and with you. At the same time, I’ve always believed that Julianna is too special for this world. You know, I really believe that she’s actually an extremely rare, one of a kind Angel Princess that heaven needed desperately. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for sharing your stories with us. I will always remember Julianna’s words of wisdom and super funny quips and will continue to feel blessed to have known her story. She was such a beautiful soul! And now she is the most beautiful Angel Princess! Your courage is an inspiration to me and you will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
With love and gratitude, Chari Plumeri
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Julianna certainly will not be forgotten, her strength and perserverence will live on in all of us who followed along. Thanks for sharing, my best to you, Alex and Snowman.
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I am so sorry about the loss of your beautiful little girl. While I am sure it was not easy at times sharing Julianna’s story she was an incredible inspiration with her positivity and vivid imagination to me. Thank you for sharing both the beauty and the pain and may you and your loved ones find comfort in the days ahead. Julianna I know is somewhere free of pain and rocking her princess dress.
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Michelle,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Julianna had a wonderful caring spirit and she taught me the importance of just being with someone. In my profession as an occupational therapist we talk about therapeutic use of self – well Julianna lived that philosophy as shared it with anyone willing to listen. Peace be with you.
Warm regards,
Bruce A. Haack
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Dear Steven and Michelle.and all …so sorry…thank you for all the sharing..sweet cousins….big hugs to you all….your all still in our prayers.
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I am so sorry. I never met your Julianna, but I will always remember her – thank you for sharing her light with us. I look forward to meeting her one day in Heaven.
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My deepest sympathy to you, Steve, Alex, and all your family.
Julianna was a sweet girl who was teaching so many of us how to live joyfully in the moment. Thank you so much, Michelle, for sharing your precious daughter with us. Please take comfort in our love heading your way.
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I don’t know what to say. I can’t fathom ever having the strength or courage that any of you showed during Julianna’s life. I am heartbroken for you, but grateful she is finally at peace. May the process of healing be filled with love.
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Julianna was such a bright light and I felt her energy and love for life so strongly through your stories. Thank you for sharing her and her light. I will not forget her.
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I pray julianna shows you signs she is always, always near! I am a mom of a child w SMA (neuro musclular MDA disease). We dedicate our lives to our special kids as moms…without a second thought their needs are met. You did a fabulous job with your girl. she is still near…all my love to your family xo
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I will try to live my life based on her courageous attitude 🙂
no words to describe the admiration that I feel towards her, and to you, find peace in your heart
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I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet beautiful princess. I shall never forget her courage and her old soul wisdom.
Thank you for sharing her with us. May the Lord of all comfort be with you and your family. (((Hugs))
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My heart breaks for your family. Julianna has changed the lives of so many strangers. She will never be forgotten. I’m glad she will be in a place where her body can catch up to her amazing mind. She was so blessed to have you as her family. In her short time on earth, she was surrounded by love.
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Michelle and family,
My heart goes out to you and your family! Julianna was such an inspiration and filled with faith and light. Wise beyond her years! My family and I have been following your blog for quite some time. We have loved hearing of Julianna’s life, the things she said, the joy she had, and her faith. We all have learned from her.
I cannot begin to understand the pain your family must be feeling right now, but please know you are in our hearts.
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You guys are amazing! I took my daughter in to see Dr. Moon and never knew anything about your family until i read about your family one day on the Vancouver clinics website. Julianna will never be forgotten! ♡♡♡♡♡♡
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I am speechless… what an extraordinary little girl, what an amazing family. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I am truly humbled and devastated. May you be surrounded by love, peace, and serenity. You and Julianna are in my heart, my prayers.
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Dear Steven and Michelle,
I had read about Julianna on CNN tonight. I am very sorry for your loss. Julianna is an inspiration for anybody who has read her story. Thank you very much for sharing this experience with us. May Julianna bless us with her smile from heaven.
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Oh Michelle,
I am sobbing and cannot fathom what you all must feel. Thank you for sharing your precious Angel Princess with all of us. I promise I will never forget her or the huge impact she had on this world. I have asked God to wrap His arms around you in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
My only consolation comes in knowing that Julianna can now breathe and eat and run!!
As parents we do whatever is necessary for our children and you all gave every fiber of your being to make her life extraordinary. Bless you always.
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My heart and my prayers are with you tonight.. I know words won’t do much good to you.. But I will pray with all my heart for you and your husband..
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God bless your beautiful Julianna, light of your lives. My heart breaks for you as a parent. Thank you for the gift of her story and your strength. God be with you all now and always. I will not forget your baby as I have thought of her often since learning of her journey last year. I remember her when looking into my own little girl’s eyes as she pleads with me to stop what I am doing – it is time to play dress up and have tea.
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I will miss this child I never met … I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you loved her as strongly as she loved you back and that you cared for her frail body as no one else could.
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Words can not describe what Julianna’s story meant for myself and my family. I have a 6 y/o and actually commented last year offering Disneyland tickets. You never responded and that’s okay, you had other things to worry about. But I wanted to do something to help, do something to show that I care. What I have learned is that prayer and sharing her story is the best way to accomplish this.
I’m proud of your family and wish you guys peace. Your beautiful girl is resting comfortably now.
-Steve in Cerritos
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40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Memory Eternal! We will meet Juliana on the last day.
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Deepest, deepest sympathies. Thank you for sharing Julianna with us and you struggles, related with honesty, good cheer and faithfulness. We’re all better for your little girl’s life. Not the end Julianna.
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Oh no. I will NEVER forget her. Never. I’m so very sad that she had to go. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing her with the world. Go with God, princess Julianna.
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I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet, brave daughter Juliana
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Michelle,
I just had to send you a message to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I actually just started reading your blog last night the 14th and couldn’t stop. I am in such shock and heartbroken the night I start reading I find out you lost your beautiful little girl that day. I have no words to explain how sorry I am for your loss. But from all i read about your wonderful family I am sure your little girl was so happy till the end. Your a wonderful family.
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I can’t imagine the pain you’re feeling. I don’t know you and never knew Julianna but I will remember her now as a beautiful princess who was brave and brilliantly effervescent. You’ll see her again. For now, her spirit is with you.
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Michele, Steve,& Alex: Thank you for sharing Julianna with us. Her life, your devotion and love touched so many around the world. She is dancing in her princess dress, waiting for everyone, keeping her loved ones around her entertained.
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I’ve been reading your blog for almost a year…. You’ve touched so many lives through sharing stories of your precious J. She will never be forgotten.
Prayers for your sweetest angel who is now running and playing in heaven. She’s with you always.
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I am so sad to hear about Julianna, but at the same time rejoice with you as she is now free and in the arms of her Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing her precious life with us. It has been such a joy and honor to read about Julianna. I am praying for you and your family, and I look forward to meeting Julianna someday in Heaven.
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I am so very sorry for your loss. Julianna will never be forgotten as she will live on in the hearts of those who knew (of) her. God bless you.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. J was such a beautiful soul. You have a wonderful blog to look back and read when you need more J than you already have in your day. Hugs to you and your family. xx
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Thank you for sharing your lives with the world. Julianna touched and taught so many like me who never had the privilege to meet her thru you. God’s purpose for her life on earth will be multiplied many times over as she now enjoys his presence in heaven. My deepest condolences and prayers for your family.
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The very fact that you chose to allow anybody who came to this blog to read your story was an act of bravery. You brought complete strangers into your life and too many came to criticize because they feel every open door is a place for them to judge what others do. I won’t stand in judgement but this story of heartbreak is overshadowed by the joy you felt in the simple moments and things a child does that most of us never notice. You should cherish the support from those who feel your story as their own and ignore those who pass judgment. I read your story and gleaned it was about love and not about decisions to which anyone should judge. I say a prayer for all of your family today.
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Dear Michelle may God give you the strength you need to continue with your life. Her soul will always remain with you for the rest of your life until you meet again. I know how you are feeling at the moment I lost my little daughter Alicia on may 6th. Although she did not speak I also got the feeling that she was better of with God than here on earth where she had no chance to survive…
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This was one of the first stories I read this morning. I rarely comment online but as I sit here in tears, my heart is heavy. I cannot imagine what the journey has been watching your baby experience such pain. You are all so incredibly courageous. I can only hope Julianna is now at peace and hopefully in a princess dress, sending her love to all of you and waiting to see you again. Much love and many prayers to you, your family and everyone Julianna touched.
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I am a complete stranger but just read the CNN story and came over to your blog. What a funny, wise — so wise! — delightful and imaginative soul Julianna was (is). The conversations you so lovingly related made me laugh through the tears, especially as I can imagine similar things coming from my own young kids, one of whom is only a few weeks younger than Julianna. She clearly lived life so fully, and you and your husband and son were there with her every step. Sending love, from one mother’s heart to another. Thank you for sharing her with the world – we are better for knowing her.
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To my dear family in Jesus Christ: We know our Father is holding your precious Julianna in His most loving Arms. She now waits for you, with love and joy, for the day when you will all be together again. You, your husband, and your families, have been pillars of amazing faith and strength, and we send you gentle hugs of love and support, and most of all, prayer. God bless you all Michelle, and most especially, your angel, Julianna. We bid you peace.
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Just heard about your beautiful daughter on CNN…just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers.
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Dear Michelle, Steve and Alex – I am heartbroken for you. As I sit here writing this there are tears streaming from my eyes. I have been a loyal follower of your blog – except for the past two weeks, as I’ve been working furiously trying to get a rental property in shape to put on the market. 12 hour days, almost every day. Too exhausted to do anything but shower and sleep when I get home. And this morning, I saw the post on CNN. The news I have dreaded reading since learning of your dear, sweet Julianna.
I want you to know that your little girl touched my heart so deeply and that the plight you faced in choosing “heaven over hospital” is one I support with my soul. Your decision to grant Julianna’s wish gave her 18 months of profound happiness and joy. What a wonderful spirit she possessed. Her stories made me feel the long lost sense of wonder about the world around me. The wonder that only a child has – and Julianna had it more than any other child I’ve ever known.
I bought Julianna a Fuchsia pink mermaid tail blanket that I found on the Internet. It is soft and shimmery and so Julianna. It is also sitting here beside me, patiently waiting to be mailed to her. I am both glad and sad to still have it. Sad because I think Julianna would have loved it – it is TOTALLY Princess worthy and so in keeping with the stories she told. Glad because when I get home tonight – the last 12 hour day in my own insignificant struggle – I will wrap myself in it, curl up with Julianna’s book and have a proper cry. For your loss. For the unimaginable pain you must be feeling. For sweet Julianna who touched my heart so deeply.
I won’t forget her Michelle. I will keep her mermaid blanket in the room in my house where I do my “arts and crafts” and when (not IF!) I ever write my children’s book that Julianna inspired me to attempt, I will dedicate the book to her: “Lily and her Babies.” And I will think of her when I’m writing it. Every word. Every illustration. Every adventure.
With my deepest condolences.
Janice Erickson King
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I’m so incredibly sorry for you. I lost a child in an accident in 2009. It’s a heart wrenching- just unimaginable journey. I’m so sorry that you and your family have to go through this. Julianna is such a beautiful little girl and such a sweet little soul. I’m sure heaven is just brighter and more beautiful because she’s there. I wish I had awesome advice or knew or anything that I could say or do that would make it better. Unfortunately, from experience, I know there isn’t anything. Just know that you WILL survive this. You will. When things are especially dark, don’t forget that you are going to make it. I don’t know how. Someday, years from now, when you look back, you won’t know how you did it- but you will do it. Please know I’m praying for you and your family. Sending you warm wishes for moments of peace and hope.
I do have some advice for your family and friends:
PLEASE DO NOT SAY:
She’s in a better place.
Let me know if you need anything (You have to be pro-active and DO something. Don’t wait for a bereaved parent to ask. They really can’t ask. Look around. See what needs to be done. And do it)
I know how you feel. I remember how bad I felt when _______.
God needed another angel.
She did what she came here to do and it was her time to go.
Be strong.
You can have another child.
It’s been ______ weeks (months, years), you need to move on.
It happened for a reason.
You’re so strong. I couldn’t do it.
God only gives you what you can handle. (-one of the worst things you can say.)
* When a parent is hanging on by a fingernail and you say that to him/her, it’s interpreted as “Why are you crying? You should be able to handle this.”. NO ONE can handle losing a child. Ever. Or, it can be interpreted as “God gave this to you. So, you should be able to deal with it”. God, who is supposed to love me more than anything, gave this to me?”). Either way, it’s horrible.
DO SAY
I love you
I’m sorry
I am usually up early or late, if you would like to talk
My favorite memory of Julianna is when _________
TALK about Julianna. Talk about her. Tell her parents when she crosses your mind. Even if it’s only “I was thinking of Julianna today and the way she ______”. Or just “I wanted to let you know I was thinking of your little princess today”.
Months from now. Years from now. Talk about Julianna. A parents worst fear is that everyone will forget their child. So, when you remember Julianna, remind her parents that you were thinking of her. You’re not bringing up things they would rather forget. They will NEVER forget their daughter. They will miss her every day for the rest of their lives. You aren’t opening wounds and causing more pain. They are already in pain. Failing to talk about Julianna will cause more heartache and more pain than you could ever imagine. So talk about her. Please.
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Gone but NEVER ever ever forgotten, she was so brave, she is your families guardian angel now. She is now breathing normally and doing a tea party in heaven ! She will forever be in all our hearts !
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I hope the beauty of Julianna springs in you and brings you peace. I celebrate her life and hug you from the distance. Thank you for sharing her with us. My husband and I cried together this morning for her loss and then realized she was a gift even to strangers. God bless your family.
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I cannot imagine how difficult a decision it was to make the one you made and commend you for doing what you felt was right for your baby. I agree with your decision and think you are incredible parents and people. I have lost my two uncles and my grandfather recently and know they will be up there waiting to watch over her. She was a beautiful girl with a strong spirit and will always be a shining star in the sky for you.
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Thank you so much for sharing Juliana’s story. She is a beautiful soul. May her memory be eternal!
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I know that words alone are not enough to say I’m sorry for your loss. I myself also have two daughter’s and a son, they all light up our world and I know that we don’t thank GOD enough for give us such blessings. I pray for your family during this time and pray love surrounds your family.
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Sleep quietly, Chica. You were so brave. You did so well. And everyone was so proud of you.
Requiem aeternam dona es, Domine, et lex perpetua luceat es.
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