Cainan helped our family refocus on the important things in life. Learning to spend more time present with each other, without electronics or stuff, and really enjoying our time and experiences together. Cainan’s and his family's strength and strong faith brought members of our family back to church after many years away. Our family learned to overcome the obstacles life throws at you with strength and positivity by watching Cainan navigate his journey with those same qualities and little to no complaints. Legos are always an item that sparks a Cainan conversation in our family. I love to see my family wear their #cainanspurpose shirts with pride for the boy who changed us forever and to share his story with anyone who will ask or listen! Cainan led many to be the disciples for God’s word!

I look at legos in a different way now. They use to be a million little pieces all over the place that you FOR SURE were going to step on and send a pain through your foot like no other!! I also use to wonder if we melted them all down would we find little pieces of hidden gold! For the price of these little plastic bits there must be some kind of hidden treasure, right?

Now, as I look at Cainan's journey I have come to see that in fact, those little pieces of plastic really do have a hidden treasure. Cainan showed us that no matter what, you don't give up, you don't lose faith, and probably the hardest one... to not question God's plan but to follow it with trust and an open heart. So that brings me back to the legos. How fitting they really are to be a symbol of Cainan! At first glance, when you are handed bad news you may feel like your world just got ripped up into a million pieces, thrown all over the floor. How are you ever going to find your way back to normal? But somehow you do. As you start to pick up the pieces, you notice they may not go back together to form what you had but that you have the choice to create something new. It is not easy along the way. You will find yourself stepping on one or more VERY painful blocks along the way but nevertheless, the pain slowly fades away and you are able to focus on that new creation. 

As I watch our children play with legos, I see over and over those little symbols. The joy and freedom they have to work with their imagination. However, it almost always ends with a sibling crashing it apart and someone screaming. It is not quite the same as battling cancer but in that little moment they must recollect their emotions and make the choice to start again. Cainan's Purpose is giving families going through a hard time the chance to recollect for a moment. A chance to build memories and new tomorrows. And for that, I guess those little plastic pieces really are made of gold!

Cainan was so special to our family. He truly was like one of my own children. He brought much love to our family and we have learned through Cainan to always tell each other how much we love one another. We are never promised tomorrow and never take a day for granted because each day is a gift we are given. Cainan has taught us to be strong no matter what we are going through. Believe in God, because he knows our plan. We keep Cainan’s memory alive in many ways but especially with the legos in my home he used to build with. He was so creative and made the best dinosaurs and spaceships. Cainan loved to be the leader of the pack. He knew when he opened the door all his friends would be there to greet him. That is the happy face I remember running through the house and play yard with all the kids trying to keep up with him. He gave the best hugs at the end of the day. We were so blessed to be a part of his beautiful 7 years.

We first met the Crauns when Gina was "pregnant" with Cainan. (I put that word in quotes because she looked like she just had a big lunch, not growing a baby boy!) They joined our small group at Medway Church and we loved them all instantly. Cainan joined the group a few months later and he was a joy right from the beginning, big smiles and a quick laugh! At the time, my daughter Lucy was 2.5 years old and my son Simon was born just 3 months after Cainan. Over the years we had many adventures together at the Air Force Museum, zoo, children's garden, hiking, playing Legos and many weapon battles. My kids loved spending time with Cainan and Gideon once he joined the group! When Cainan first fell ill I vividly remember sitting in the hospital room feeling so scared and yet hopeful God would do a mighty work in this little boy's life. BOY DID HE EVER!!!! God has worked in so many crazy, beautiful ways that Cainan and his purpose has affected thousands of lives through the church, gym, schools, police force, hospitals, and Gina's Caring Source page. Their mission to encourage families to spend time together with Legos is such an important and needed reminder! We have always enjoyed Legos, but they are so much more special to us now. Thank you to God, Pat, Gina, Gideon, and especially Cainan who will never be forgotten! His legacy will continue to reach thousands! #cainanspurpose

-Julie S.