Sonder Meyer-Redfern's Obituary
Born to Ried Meyer and Allyson Redfern, Sonder Meyer-Redfern came to us as a folded little package of a baby on August 7, 2014. She spent 20 days in the neonatal unit at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI getting help to unfurl. She was a medically sensitive, severely multiply impaired child with an extremely rare genetic syndrome that we finally learned the name of in her 7th year of life. Accompanied by machines for her medical needs, this child spread her brand of love wherever she went. Although she couldn't talk, sit up, hold things, stand, walk or run; although she had a feeding tube a trach, casts, foot and hip braces applied; and was completely dependent on her caregivers, she won us over with her smile, her giggle, her kind eyes, and her soft hands that always found us to stroke and soothe. Sonder loved everyone who came within her orbit. Therapists, doctors, nurses, teachers, bus drivers, pastors were all known to say, "I need me some Sonder." At school she was called, "Hollywood", for her Hello Kitty sunglasses and big grin, and was cheered on by the other kids when she came out to the playground. She comforted us when we were sad, laughed at all our jokes and found her sister to be the most beloved and entertaining person of all. When Sonder was four years old Lilah came into her life as a two year old with energy and strength for two. Sonder adored Lilah no matter what toddler transgressions were perpetrated upon her. Like all of us, Lilah was transformed into Sonder's special guardian and protector. Every animal we brought for her to pet or be licked by, every new experience we exposed her to, every costume we put her in, every song we sang to her brought her delight. She loved the sky, the sun and wind in the trees, the feel of water on her skin. She loved worship service at her church. She loved school and her teachers, school nurses, aides, and classmates. She opened, for us, the door to the special needs world and the faithful ones who care for children like her. She has brought light and love to our lives and taught us how to be our best selves in this world. We have been transformed.
Encircled by her family, Sonder gave up the struggle and died at 6:51 PM on Sunday, July 24, 2022. She has left behind her mom, Allyson Redfern, her Father and Mommy, Ried and Marissa Meyer, her sister Lilah Rae Meyer, three sets of grandparents, a handful of aunts and uncles, a cousin and her two beloved cats, Queso and Olive.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking that donations be made to Holmes Elementary School in Spring Lake. In honor of Sonder and the impact she had on this world, we would love to be able to have a bench or two placed at Holmes elementary so that she can always be close to her friends.
Sonder wants to invite the whole world to celebrate her life. Services will be held at Harvest Church in Grand Haven (12900 US-31, Grand Haven, MI 49417) on Saturday, July 30, 2022, Visitation will be at 10:00 am, Service will be at 11:00 am and there will be a luncheon to follow. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Sonder?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sonder?
Share a story where Sonder's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sonder you’ll never forget.
How did Sonder make you smile?