Dear Will,

I was so deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your daughter, Grayson. 

Please accept my sincerest condolences during this unimaginably difficult time. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Take care !

I’m am so sorry for your sudden and tragic loss of Grayson. I met her when she moved to ASD and we were friends all through middle and high school. She was one of just a couple of Christian friends at school, which was a deep and sweet companionship. Grayson and I bonded through time spent together in musicals, sports, youth group, several classes, and lots and lots of choir. She had a unique combination of grit and humor. I pray that her son would not be embittered toward the Lord but would know the good and gracious king that Grayson now lives with face-to-face. 

We don’t grieve as those who have no hope…

We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Sending love, strength, and healing during this time to the Keliehor & Brooks families. Our deepest condolences.

- the Espinosa family 

We have struggled to find the words to express just how wonderful Grayson was and how heartbreaking the news of her passing has been.

I have countless memories growing up with Grayson, from early days in Girl Scouts, to our self defense class in middle school, and to high school musicals.

Grayson was always the most kind, caring, and compassionate friend. She had a special way of making everyone she interacted with feel welcomed, accepted, and heard. Grayson’s positivity and kindness was contagious and she lit up every room she walked into.

It was an honor to know Grayson and we know that her legacy will carry on through sweet baby Eric.

Our deepest condolences to the Jeff and the Keliehor family.

With love,

Leila Habayeb and family

Dear Kim, Will, Audrey, Elise, Liam, Jeff, and Family,

Our hearts go out to you in this time of sorrow. We feel truly blessed to have seen Grayson grow into such a kind, beautiful, and bright woman. A part of her will always live on in Eric, and we believe she will be watching over him with love — his guardian angel by his side.

When Grayson was in High School, she and her friend Margaret came to visit us in Vienna. Two young girls in their Dubai outfits stepping out of the airport taxi on a cold day in April, excitedly photographing snowflakes while we were impatiently waiting for spring. We remember how the two of them deliberately got “lost” on public transport, just to see where they might end up. Their joyful laughter could be heard from the street long before they reached the door…

We are so sorry!

With love,                                                                                                                                  Dagmar & Stephan

Dear Keliehor family,

Julia and I are  devastated by the shocking news of Grayson's passing. We have many dear memories of you all, when our paths crossed in Dubai and RAK. One particularly memorable highlight was being in the audience when Grayson had the lead role in the ASD musical her senior year - she was amazing! Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of deep grief. May the God of all mercy and comfort be with you and comfort you in your affliction. Much love from Sascha and Julia Bär (and kids).

I feel so lucky to have met this family during a short 4-hour shift in the NICU when taking care of Eric. My heart goes out to each of you for the loss of your dear Grayson so young and beautiful. I did not know her but was floored after witnessing so much love & support by you all the other day visiting in the NICU.  I just wanted to say Grayson was very lucky to have all of you. It made my heart full to see such a rare display of support from each of you and I will never forget it! May she rest in peace, and I pray all of you are able to find some peace after such a tragedy. It helps knowing Little Eric is in great hands with such an adoring father to raise him along with help from such a loving & caring supportive family.

 I wish you all peace and grace moving forward, good luck & God bless!

Nurse Andi.

When I think back to the time I loved most with Grayson, it was being in the Keliehors’ home. Coming back from musical practice, grabbing a cheese bread, and then heading to her room. She’d lie or sit on the floor, and we’d try to do homework, but always got distracted, unable to stop chit-chatting. I remember feeling like we could talk about absolutely anything for hours. She was always so genuinely curious about other perspectives.

Sometimes we’d disagree, but she always made a point to end with something kind. I so admired the way she could say something astute and deeply thoughtful, so effortlessly and sincerely. Her words often felt like she was seeing a part of me no one else had quite noticed.

I am heartbroken that Grayson is no longer with us. And yet, I’m unbelievably grateful to have known her and to have shared so many lovable, wonderful memories together. I wasn’t just lucky to know her, I was lucky to call her a dear friend.

Mr. and Mrs. Keliehor, Jeff, Audrey, Elise, Liam, and Eric, my heart is with you. I am so incredibly sorry for the pain you must be going through. My deepest condolences.

Я люблю тебя и скучаю. Anneta ♥️

Dear Grayson,

I will miss speaking in Arabic with you, your voicemails, your contagious laugh, your handwritten letters and your friendship.

I saved letters you sent me over the years and the voicemails and memos you sent as well. I will keep them forever. I can’t put into words how much I miss you but I know you are watching over all of us and are only a prayer away.

I’m so glad you told Tori and I to turn the car around so we could take a group picture when we hung out with you and Jeff during your roadtrip this year.

You have taught me how important it is to tell the people in my life that I love them. You were always so good about reaching out and letting people know how much they meant to you.

Thank you for always being there, I love you and miss you, my forever friend.

أنا احبك صديقتي

تايلر

(PS: I know you’ll get a kick out of it so I’ll upload the picture of us that always made you laugh; going so far as to even sneak it into your Christmas card last year! Yes, I know I look funny in it!)

To Kim and Will Keliehor, thank you for bringing Grayson into this world. To Audrey, Elise and Liam- I feel like I know all of you well because of all the funny and great stories Grayson shared. And to Grayson’s grandmother Cheryl, the next time Tori and I find ourselves in El Paso, lunch is on us at Leo’s Mexican food. I got the sopapilla after Grayson’s recommendation, and it did not disappoint. Grayson spoke so highly of each of you and loved you all so, so much.

To Jeff, I’m looking forward to talking on the phone soon, I can’t wait to hear all about baby Eric. My voicemail is still the British robot woman you and Grayson liked so much. Love you, buddy.

Please give Pixel and Nova some treats from Tori and I.

We are thinking and praying for each of you every day. 

Dear Keliehor & Brooks Family,

Our deepest condolences. This is such devastating news. We keep you in our prayers.  Lost of words.

The Shikuku family (members of UCCD) 

People were always really surprised to hear Grayson and I were best friends in high school. We were complete opposites in a lot of ways (and still are). She was known for her faith, for following rules, and that was just not me. But she and I shared a passion for singing, being total silly weirdos and cracking up laughing, and diving into the problem and having a deep life chat about it.

We met in the 10th grade when I was new at school, and our friendship blossomed through conflict when I said Grayson had a nasally singing voice in choir and a few days later, in classic Grayson fashion, she came up to me and confronted me. We both think this is hilarious now. From then on, we had our first hang where we went and got manaoushe (cheese bread) from her local spot and got our nails done (see bad awkward phase photo below). We went to Scotland together for our international choir and that’s where we really became friends. I think one of our best memories was when she and I were in AP Lit and we were partners for a group project. Let me tell you, I really did no work for that project. In classic Grayson fashion, she did it all and never once complained, and we obviously got an A. But I stepped in sometimes. Grayson hated math but was great at English, and I was good at math and bad at English, so one night we decided to switch homework assignments for the other class. I remember how sneaky and bad Grayson felt for doing this, but also in the Grayson way where she had a smile on her face the entire time. I really heard for weeks about how bad and crazy she felt for doing that.

In our college and “adult” life, I’ve been really lucky to be able to continue seeing Grayson’s worlds and meeting all of her different friends. We were always in a constant game of phone tag, but the line of communication never stopped. I love how much she talked about all of her friends and family, and I always got an update on every call. I feel so lucky to know her world.

Grayson has probably gotten me through some of the hardest times of my life. She always had the right words and never judged, even if it was something she didn’t believe in. She was the person I went to if things really went wrong and I needed to hear the right words and get some real talk advice. I have no idea how she did this, but she always knew the right thing to say. She was grounded in her sense of morals and purpose.

She was clear on what she wanted and never apologized for that. I’ve always been in awe of her and bragged about her to all of my friends, saying I just don’t know how she did it all. She chased her goals, made them happen, and was really living her dream life. Again, being her completely opposite friend, we always talked about how different the lives we wanted were, and she would show me different examples of what love and happiness looked like to her.

I’m really lucky to have been shaped by her growing up, better for having known her, and grateful for all of the laughs. Life without her will be much harder to navigate, and I will miss the missed calls, voicemails, handmade birthday cards, thoughtful gifts, cackles, solving problems together, and everything else about life with Grayson.

You will be forever and ever in my heart, Gray