Adam posting this evening.
Elijah Thomas Augustine passed on this evening at about 9:16 PM.
He was having trouble breathing and said that he wanted to die. His mother said, “Well you have been fighting for so long. Three years.”
Eli said, “We are champions.”
He then asked his mother if it was OK if he could die tonight. They both prayed for that and she gave him some medication to help him rest. Not very long after, his prayer was answered and he was able to let go.
We have heard some refer to death as “graduation” and we like this comparison. The last three years have been so hard, amazing, touching, and inspiring, so full of growth and learning.
Words can’t express how grateful we are for all the love, kindness, and sacrifices so many people have made for us. We have had some of the happiest times of our lives.
We would never wish childhood cancer on anyone, but we do so much wish everyone could feel the immense outpouring of love and tenderness everyone has shown to us. It has been such a privilege.
We are shedding some tears right now and will post something when we know about funeral arrangements.
This scripture from the Book of Mormon (Alma 40:11-12) is helping us tonight:
“Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.”
Elijah has graduated with honors. And as he said not long ago, “This is victory.”
Eli The Boss 
I pray you feel peace, and comfort and relieved to know he is finally out of pain. 😔🙏🏼💕 You are all so loved. God has made that clear. May he lift you at this very difficult time. The heavens are lucky to receive such an amazing boy, from such an amazing family! 😇💕
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My heart is there, you have saved this one! That gave me peace when I experienced my Brandy graduating. A bright spot in the longing for something better, easier, less heart wrenching. He is safely where we all want to be someday. What an honor to know you helped him in his final assignment! May you feel him often come by for a sweet visit as time goes by. His sacrifice will forever bless your family with a closeness that protects and grows in loveliness as the days go by! He did well his part!
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This struggle has tutored me as I’ve watched from a distance. We love you and your family and are blessed by the faith you express. Our hearts are broken with yours. Eternity holds greater meaning.
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I just met your fighter through a news story a few days ago, and your family has been on my mind. The Savior suffered, and because of his willingness to suffer, we are blessed with eternal families. I don’t know him, but in my mind I can see him strong and healthy, standing tall and smiling. To me, he looks like he can’t wait to tell us all about what he knows now.
Please know that his loss is not in vain. As a mom, hearing the news of his passing has made my own life flash in front of me. The little things that don’t matter that I fuss over. The times that I have dismissed my kids’ feelings, or hurt their feelings because I thought they were being unreasonable. I can do better. Eli is proof that life isn’t fair, and you never know how much time you have with those you love the most.
Thank you for sharing him with me, even though you don’t know me. Just know that his loss has left a print on my momma heart, and I will be better. And from one mom to another, my sincerest and deepest sympathy and love for you and your family. Please know that a stranger is mourning with you, and with you, I know he has found his place in the arms of the Savior.
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Thank you for your kind words and love.
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My condolences to all of you for your loss during this difficult time. May ELI finally be at peace and fly with the Angels always as he will always hold a special place in my heart and I will treasure our friendship always. Thank you ELI for always putting a smile on my face and taking the time to write me special decoding letters, how I will miss them. I am so glad I had the amazing opportunity to have cared for you but just knowing you brought so much more to my life than you will ever know. You will be missed dearly, rest in peace sweet ELI.
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Thank you for the difference you made in our lives. Love you!
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Masterful the way you have handled everything Elaine and Adam, and family!
You are all champions!!!
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I would like to offer my sincere condolences for the loss that you are your family are experiencing. I am sending my thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.
I am grateful for the knowledge that we have from the scriptures that this separation will only be for a short time and for the gift of Forever Families. May God bless and keep you comforted during the very difficult time.
Your Friend
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I am truly sorry for your loss. I want to wish him a happy well deserved unfortunate graduation! What a fighter you have. I am at peace knowing of all the years and moments that were spent together. I hope you guys can find any possible comfort and hold on to it. Bless you all throughout your lives and may he rest in peace.
Kristin Moyes
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God Speed Eli.
May the angles of heaven comfort your family in this most difficult time.
~The toughest steel is made by the Lord in the hottest forges.
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So sorry for your loss, what a wonderful family. The most beautiful words ever expressed came from an angel to Mary as should stood by the entrance to an EMPTY tomb. “WHY SEEK YE THE LIVING AMOUG THE DEAD, HE IS NOT HERE BUT IS RISEN. Very blessed to have known and worked with Adam, even more blessed by reading this blog and being able to have a small glimpse into what this wonderful family went through with such courage and faith.
May God bless you and your family at this time.
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We saw Eli’s story on the news a few days ago and recognized your family from when we lived in the same ward in Orem many years ago. It has been a privilege to read Eli’s story on this blog. His courage, faith, and perseverance have been inspiring and influenced our lives in a positive way. Thank you for sharing your Eli’s story. We have been praying for comfort and peace for your family and will continue to do so.
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Yes, I recognize your name. Thank you for your prayers.
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I hope your family finds peace in this. Eli has fought valiantly, as for the rest of you. Having gone through this with my own brother, hopefully there is now time to rest. God bless you all and after this heartache, I hope you all find time to exhale. Love your old neighbors, the Johnsons.
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It was a great pleasure having you Elaine, Elle and Eli in our home only a few days ago for our son Seth’s Birthday Party. We were touched then by what an amazing family, boy, mother you all are. We are so sad for your loss, and pray for God’s comfort to be upon you and your whole family. We do not even closely comprehend the challenges, grief and sorrow that you have had over the years, but please know that you are not along and that you and your entire family are loved by so many. We pray that you will have the blessings promised by the Savior in the Sermon on the Mount, when he said “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted”. We pray for you, we pray for your comfort, we pray for blessings from heaven.
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Our condolences to your family. We were all blessed and made better by knowing Eli, even for the little time we were able to get to know him, and by following your blog posts and story. You are a strong family, and I am sure Eli is more than proud of you all. Thank you for sharing your strength, and your sweet boy – he will be missed. He is among your guardian angels now. And you are in our thoughts and prayers!
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Dear family of Elijah, I am just reading about Elijah and I am so sad for all of you. What a beautiful boy. I will be praying for all of you and know that you are never alone. I lost my son 11 years ago to Rhabdomyosarcoma. He was diagnosed and only lived 8 months. I know there have been improvements but we are fighting for a cure some day. May God send his blessings to all of you.🌹
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I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m new to this and wonder how this new state of being will end up.
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I don’t really have the words to tell you something that would be meaningful. “Sorry for your loss” sounds so little.
The struggle is over, I’ve been following Eli, you and the whole family from far away over a long time, feeling like I knew all of you a little. I’ve had real hopes. I’ve been very sick myself and I’ve made it through. I’m not a religious person but I have tried to send all the positive and supportive thoughts I could.
Your faith is admirable, such as the fight this young courageous lad has fought.
I wanted him to get the life he deserved.
He might be in a better place now, but he’s at peace anyway, free from pain.
I’ll never forget Eli and your story.
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Thank you for following Eli’s journey. I always look forward to reading your comments. His funeral services will be broadcast, in case you want to watch. Here is the funeral home link with info:
https://www.serenicare.com/obituaries/elijah-augustine
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My sincerest condolences to each of you during this terribly painful experience. It has been a joy for me to know Eli and all of you; your family has touched and inspired me. Thank you for your beautiful example.
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I understand you must be of the Mormon faith. My daughter currently has ERMS and was in remission until April, 2022, it’s back. I just wanted to share a thought… Psalms 37:9-11 reminds us there will be peoples living on the earth, just as our Creator has promised. John 5:28-29 reminds to not be amazed when those in the grave (or Memorial Tombs) are resurrected, on the earth. I look forward to being at the resurrections of my dead loved ones, to live on the earth, our own Paradise. I implore you to go to JW.org and research how you too can hug your fleshly son again. Another chance to live without Satan in our midst. Much love and prayers to you.
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I’m sorry you are having to deal with this cancer relapsing and appreciate your sharing relevant scripture verses. I find a lot of comfort in God’s word.
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