On April 28, 2021 our sweet son Charles Lane Martin, passed away after five too short years here with us. Charlie was born to us, Chris and Chelsey Martin, on November 11, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Charlie quickly turned our expectations for parenthood upside down. Born with RCDP, Charlie was a “Rhizo” kid. Where we thought, we would be the teachers, we quickly realized we were the students. From day one, he patiently taught us how to care for him. From feedings, to breathing treatments, to medicines; he was the best kind of patient. Bravely and peacefully, he would bear with us as we learned how to best care for him each day.
Charlie was a little person, and he taught as that “big” things in life were really the small things. The biggest and best thing to Charlie was snuggling with people he loved. He wanted to be held, always. He loved sitting beside his siblings, Micah, La’Nya, Ezekiel and Lucy as they played games. He loved to spend hours in the arms of Grandma Miller (Thelma Miller), Nana (Janet Hoffman) and Papa (Gary Hoffman), telling them all about his day. Trips to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to visit Grammy (Eva Martin) and Pappy (Charles Martin) were always a highlight of his years. At family gatherings, he would move contentedly from lap to lap of his many aunts, uncles, and cousins, alternating between naps and watching carefully all the activity around him. He always looked forward to the evenings, after bed time, when the house was quiet, and mom would scoop him up in her arms and dance with him to their song, Moon River, before laying him down to sleep.
He stole the hearts of all his teachers and therapists over the years. They poured so much into him by coming up with activities he was able to do, getting him special toys he could activate, and advocating for him to have the best life.
While Charlie never wrote any books or gave any speeches, he was the greatest teacher to us and the many whose paths he crossed. He showed us what bravery and endurance look like by overcoming huge obstacles. His big smile and contagious laugh introduced us to joy that wasn’t dependent on circumstances. He slowed us down and helped us appreciate the beauty in the moment. He taught us that physical and mental limitations are not a limit to the impact you may have on others. Most importantly, he taught us how to love deeply and live life to the fullest. Charlie’s life was full of beauty and he will be forever missed and forever loved. To know Charlie was to love Charlie.
In lieu of flowers, RhizoKids International donations (www.rhizokids.com)
The family will receive friends at Northfield Baptist Church, 311 West Aurora Rd, Northfield, OH, 7-9pm Friday, April 30 , 2021 and 11am-1pm, Saturday May 1, 2021 with a service to begin at 1pm.
Arrangements by Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, Northfield Center, OH.
