Memorial for Jahveed Amani Dalil Smothers-Pugh

Peace, my name is Ife and I’m raising funds to assist my daughter with funeral and burial services for her first child and newborn son, who passed away shortly after birth. We are devastated by Jahveed’s unexpected passing and are requesting help to raise the funds needed to memorialize our precious baby boy, may he rest in peace. Our family is infinitely grateful for every donation received during this difficult time.

A MESSAGE FROM MY DAUGHTER, JAHLANI:

My sun’s name is Jahveed Amani Dalil YaYa Jaan.

The Beloved One Who is Guided in Faith by Our Creator for Eternity.

I was so happy when I found out that I was pregnant. I had worries but ultimately was faithful that God would carry me through the storm. I had virtually little support and community through my pregnancy so I had to create a cocoon of love around me to sustain me and my sun as I gathered everything I would need to be a good mother.

When I was pregnant I would go to parks and swing until I was so high I’d touch the sky. I would go to the beach and hula hoop. I would dance. I played games and took myself to the spa to treat myself well. Each and every day I felt my sun growing within me and I knew that when he was born into the world we were gonna have the adventure of a lifetime.

I knew my sun’s soul was special because he spoke to me. I spent my pregnancy laughing even though I was going through a tough period. Even after not being able to eat and throwing up my meals, I’d find a way to bring some humor to the situation. I felt like that was him saying, “It’s ok Mama, we are gonna be alright.” I felt like that was me holding him in my womb and my arms and him holding me back and telling me that life is so precious and we are gonna have a beautiful life once he arrived.

I felt I owed it to Jahveed to never give up and keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the path. He was so special he even chose to be born on a Palindrome day, 3/2/23. I gave birth to him outside in the grass, with the sunlight in my eyes, gazing at the cloudless blue sky. It was a long and painful labor yet the moment he came was blissful and orgasmic.

I held him to my heart right after he was born and was filled with a sense of presence and clarity. His tiny little fingers, tinged pink with blood. His full head of dark hair on his peanut head. His sweet feet. The way he had that fresh, newborn baby smell. I remember all of this now as I write this. How I was so scared that I would drop him and hurt him and handled him like he was so fragile, a being deserving of protection and love.

They say breath is our connection to God… to the Creator, to the Most High… breath is the spirit, the Lord, the heart of the Divine. I guess my son was so connected and special that he didn’t want to ever be separate from God for even a second because his breath left him shortly after he came into this world. The breath that kept his flesh and body alive left him and his spirit became an Angel.

Now I get to hold him in my heart forever and ever. I honor him by living, loving, and laughing even through the tears.

Still, the earthly business of burying my son must be dealt with and I need help with the services. Please. Help me send my baby home to God in peace and in power. Thank you for taking the time to read. May you and yours be joyful and blessed. Love, Jah ❤️‍