Dear Miss Frizz,
i am very sad to hear of your loss. But you yourself put it best:
"But, is it possible that I feel at peace with everything? That he knew he was loved and I gave him a gift that maybe didn't turn out the way we thought, but he had the gift of hope and the story to tell."
What more can I add, except to send you some "virtual" strength and blessings for a speedy recovery, in all senses?...
Snoopy