One day after the death of their son, Summer and Reppard Gordon hold on tightly to Sawyer's treasured belongings, things such as his baby blanket, favorite stuffed animal and Matchbox cars.

  • 5-year-old boy hit, killed by car
  • Family says faith keeps them going
  • Driver goes to family's church

"The Matchbox cars, those are the things I think are always going to stick with me because they're everywhere. They're in my purse. I went and laid in his bed, and they were under his pillow," Summer Gordon said.

Five-year-old Sawyer died Tuesday after riding his bicycle into the road and getting hit by a truck outside their North Port home.

"He was the light of my life," Summer Gordon said. “He was just really special, and we had a super special bond.”

"He was a genuinely happy kid all the time, a lot of smiles,” Reppard Gordon said.

Sawyer’s parents say their son loved to wrestle, sword fight and swim. Now, feeling shattered, the Gordons say their faith keeps them going.

"What's getting us through is that God has a plan, and we trust him, and I know I will see our son again," Summer said.

The driver who accidentally hit Sawyer is a 23-year-old who goes to the same church as the Gordons.

"I don't blame the young man,” Summer said. “We pray for him. He's broken and he's hurting, and we love him."

Sawyer was a special-needs student at Pinnacle Academy in Bradenton.

Dr. Kirstina Ordetx released this statement:

“Sawyer was adored by his friends, teachers, and school family at Pinnacle Academy. His smile will forever color our hearts. We feel blessed to have been a part of his life. He will be deeply missed on the first day of school.”

The school, the community, friends and strangers are coming together to help the family. Jackie Shipps met the Gordons seven years ago in church and has sweet memories of Sawyer.

"He was a little ball of smiles and energy," Shipps said.

The friend started a YouCaring fundraiser to help.

"This is just what I wanted to do to be a part of the healing and helping and just to take one thing off her plate," Shipps said.

It’s support these parents appreciate while they heal and while they remember their son.

"That's something I'm going to miss, to lay in bed with him, just brush his hair over his head. That's what I used to do,” Summer said. “I used to kiss his face all over and just whisper in his ear how much I loved him."

A celebration for life is scheduled for Friday morning at 10:30 at Murdock Baptist Church in Port Charlotte.