BlessI must inform you that Kevin Jr. has lost his fight for his life. He was pronounced brain dead at about 2 o'clock this afternoon. At this hour he remains on life support pending harvesting of his organs tomorrow afternoon. His parents made the courageous decision to allow Kevin Jr. to become an organ donor.
We went down to the hospital Wednesday afternoon to say our goodbyes to this beautiful baby boy. His room was full of family, friends, people whose lives this precious little soul touched. We all had a chance to touch him, to stroke his head (his hair finally getting long enough to comb), to hold his hand, to kiss him and to tell him how much we loved him and would miss him in our lives. One of Kevin Jr.'s friends (only two weeks younger and they have played together since old enough to interact) was brought into the room by his mother. Sean had a quizical look on his face, like 'Why is Kevin in the bed and why isn't he moving?" No one can tell me that this child didn't understand that something was terribly wrong. He reached out and patted Kevin Jr. on the leg, as if to comfort him. It brought the room to tears.
It is so tragic that this fire took two wonderful people and has left the rest of us bereft and grieving. Funeral arrangements will be made and I expect that his funeral will be early next week.
My most heartfelt thanks for all of those who offered prayers and sent energy for this little ones healing. It is appreciated beyond words to express. If you would continue to send energy for this family, I personally would appreciate it. This family is devastated and could benefit from any positive energy sent.
To quote another friend, please learn from this that nothing in life is guaranteed. Not even life. I had held this precious boy less than a week ago and now he's gone. Go to your family, your children, your friends ... tell them and show them how much they mean to you and how much you cherish them. Do this every day.
With a most grateful heart for the priceless friends that we have found on Covenspace, I again thank you.
I just got back from the hospital. The baby is on a respirator and is in a drug induced coma to keep him from fighting the respirator. They will keep him in the coma until his lungs heal. They did a cat scan and it shows that he has had a small stroke.
Kevin's burns are fairly serious, but he's not letting them keep him down. His older brother (who has CP) has developed pneumonia. Mom, wife, sister, aunt and niece are all doing okay now.
Please continue to send healing energies to this very special family. They have always been there for anyone who ever needed them and now they need the support.
We will be going back down to see the baby tomorrow evening, so should have more information then.
Once again, thank you so very much for your thoughts and prayers. They are appreciated beyond words.
This morning we were awakened by a phone call from my son's best friend ... that they were at the hospital. Their home caught on fire last night or early this morning. His dad lost his life trying to get everyone out. Kevin has 1st and 2nd degree burns (with near 3rd degree on his shoulders), his wife has smoke inhalation and their 1 yr old son is at the childrens hospital in Des Moines with severe smoke inhalation (at the time they transported him he needed assistance with breathing) Other family members - mom has smoke inhalation, niece had mild smoke inhalation, disabled older brother has smoke inhalation and disabled aunt has smoke inhalation. Their fur child, Brewster, a greyhound/black lab mix, was also among the casualties.
These people are extended family of the heart. Please send all energy you can spare their direction.
Early this morning my son woke me up and said "Mom ... you gotta see this!". He dragged me from my bed to look out the window at .... .... .... snow.
Now that might not be so unusual in late March, but this past couple of weeks has been in the 50's and 60's with brilliant blue skies. Yesterday it was 53. The yard has been trying to green up, the plants are trying to bud. It was actually starting to look like spring.
This snow is not just your run of the mill light snow. It is huge flakes, coming down in thick droves. The wind is whipping it almost horizontal and has been most of the day. At last check, we had better than three inches and are expecting another two. Again, not so much but .... it was 53 yesterday! I've been trying all afternoon to find a photo that accurately reflects what I'm seeing outsdie my living room window, but have had no luck and my digital camera bit the dust some time back.
If I had any doubt that I am so done with winter ... this reinforced the feeling. Bring back the warmth, bring back the greening grass ... heck, while you're at it, bring me a good old fashioned thunderstorm!
Not sure how much time I will be able to spend on Covenspace in the next few days. Last night our tribe had our Ostara ritual (which was wonderful and we were able to raise much energy to send out to heal the earth) and a friend and I were on our way back home when (as my daughter would say "The road was frosty") my car went off the road on a rather tight turn. We missed a signpost by less than an inch and only by the skill of the friend (who was driving) did we keep from rolling the car. Luckily the ditch we ended up in was shallow and the car actually had no damage that we could tell, so we were able to drive right out and continue the remaining 16 miles home.
No injuries to either of us, although I am so sore today that I can hardly move. Though I know better, I braced myself when I realized that we were going off road, and I am paying for it today. Every muscle in my body hurts and sitting for any length of time is just not possible right now.
To those who I owe replies to messages, I will get to them in a day or two. Right now, I'm going to head back to bed.
