January 18, 2017 – November 1, 2018

On January 18, 2017, a beautiful child entered this world and given the name Hazana. Her father, Tabodrick Anderson, took one look at his daughter, and he was in love. One heart giving to another with a love that transcends space and time, a forever kind of love.

The life of a newborn child brings a feeling of heavenly peace and completeness. We forget what life was like before their arrival. We discover our world anew and want to see it through their eyes, experiencing the joy of growing together. Tabodrick wanted most to raise his daughter in the love and faith in which he was raised.

Growing up in Lubbock, Texas, for every Sunday he could recall, Tabodrick’s childhood pastor, Rev. L. D. Brooks, would preach to his sisters Aquella and Aerica, and their mother, Ronda Anderson. There in Community Baptist Church the Anderson children learned about God, faith, and faithfulness.

Early on, the family would travel here from Lubbock in the summers, so the children could see their Dad, who was working here and in Huntsville. By age 17, Tabodrick had moved in with his Dad in time for his junior year at A&M Consolidated High School. After high school, then, he followed in his Dad’s footsteps, working in construction.

Hazana was born January 18, 2017, the same day that in 1993, the holiday named for Dr. Martin Luther King, was observed in all 50 states of the United States for the first time—two special reasons to remember that day.

As Tabodrick considered a name for his beautiful daughter, he chose Hazana. When you say it, there’s just a special reminder of the word of praise we all say, especially on Palm Sunday and at Eastertime, “Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna.”

Another beautiful reminder is the anthem by Jeannette Threlfall, “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna.” The first verse goes:

“Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had held them close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.”

The praises of children are indeed the best. When you hold your little one, you are their hero and they are your heartbeat. That was their relationship here for close to two years. Hazana was such a happy little girl, her dad recalls; she especially loved playing outdoors. Whether it was running in the yard or just enjoying playing in the leaves, Hazana loved being outside among nature. Stuffed animals were other things she loved.

 Imagine her joy at exploring the world around her. What adults can easily take for granted can be made magical when seen through the eyes of a child.

Similarly, our daily lives are filled with music. Each song we hear that’s special to us, “our songs,” mean something to us. These songs complete our peace, resound with joy, and fill our hearts…with hope. As melodies resonate within us, their lyrics often represent what we’re feeling at that very moment.

The life of a child is like that of a beautiful song. In our lifetimes we add the lyrics to the melody and complete our song before we return to Heaven. For Hazana, who Tabodrick lost too soon, her lifetime produced a beautiful, yet unfinished, song. It’s true that when we enter this world, we don’t know how long it will be before God’s children return to God the father.

But as Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” In John 12:36, it says, “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” And in Galatians 3:26, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”

We are sure Hazana is with her Heavenly father, and she can run and play anywhere she wants. The Brazos Valley shares, with Tabodrick and his family, the grief that comes from losing a child far too soon.

The gospel of Matthew (5:4) reminds us: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” The outpouring of love and tenderness by Hazana’s home community reassures her family is surrounded with love and support. The family includes her father, Tabodrick Anderson, his mother, Ronda Anderson, his father, T. C. Curtis, Tabodrick’s sister, Aquella Johnson and her son, JayV Johnson; Tabodrick’s sister, Aerica Williams-Parson, her sons, Sya and Nehemiah, and her daughter, Aquayjia.

With Hazana’s passing, we join hands and hearts with the Andersons as we rely on Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” We are instructed to show strength and trust in the Lord to lead us in the coming days. In Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

A time for the public to visit with the family is scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 5 – 7 pm at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S. College Avenue in Bryan.

To those wishing to make a financial contribution in Hazana’s memory, your contribution (by check) can be sent to Scotty’s House, 2424 Kent Street, Bryan, TX 77802 (with notation “In memory of Hazana Anderson”).

Mr. Anderson asks also for gifts of new toys for Scotty’s House, which are currently being collected in the lobby of Callaway-Jones Funeral & Cremation Center in Bryan.

Also, because of extreme local weather conditions, the Anderson family would welcome your donations of coats, sweaters and any clothing for children of all ages (new or used), as well as gently used toys to the lobby of Callaway-Jones. All items can be brought in as early as Monday, November 26.

These items will then be distributed for Christmas by Project Unity to their clients who need them so very greatly—those whose names are not on any other local “angel lists” from other local agencies.

Toys and clothing will be collected at Callaway-Jones continuously through December 19, 2018.

November 1, 2018, was the day Hazana’s Earthly life concluded but began anew in Heaven. Her song is meant to be finished by those who knew and loved her and by all who wish to offer comfort to the Anderson family.

Sharing your memories of Hazana here, on the online guest book at CallawayJones.com, as well as your presence during the visitation time, will bring her family great comfort.