By Stacy Johnson
There has been a lot on my mind this week. My friends will tell you that I've been mentally "not there" recently. I planned a fundraising event for me and 1500 of my closest friends and pulled it off this weekend. Well, I don't know all of them, but they all play football in the Pop Warner league that I am on the board of directors for...I am the fundraising person. But, in the midst of all my chaos and planning, I stopped for some really important things. Because, that is what you do when you are taking care of things that are seemingly unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
Life
My sister had her 6th baby this week. I have been in the delivery room for all of them and even though I had a list a mile long, I wasn't going to miss this. There is something about watching the birth of a child that stays with you long after the delivery. I don't know if I'm all emotional about it cause half the time she's delivered, I've been pregnant myself, or if I'm just sentimental about this topic. Yes, pregnant again with my 8th, when I got the call on Tuesday morning, I headed straight to the hospital. Ah, the miracle of life. Baby and mom are well, although Baby Tyler had some breathing problems right at the start. I had the priveledge of keeping my two nieces at our home so they could get off to school each day while mom was in the hospital. Everyone is home now and our mom (my sister and mine) is taking care of that family. We love that about our mom. I will head back over there today to visit now that the stress of last week is over.
Death
Saturday night, during my huge fundraising carnival, I got word that my new neighbor's children had been found unconscious in their pool. I don't even think they had completely moved in yet, though they had been visiting our ward for the past few weeks. I'm so glad I had some time to meet her during RS a few weeks ago. I gave her my number and told her to call if she needed anything while they were slowly fixing up the house and getting moved in. Anyway, I was at the event when I heard the news. I paused for a moment, had a quick cry then quickly found my children who were scattered around the field and gave them each a squeeze. There were plenty of ward members helping out the family that evening so leaving the event wouldn't have been helpful. I stayed and we finished late into the evening. When I got home, there was a message from my sweet friend asking if I had an extension ladder they could use because they were about to begin some painting around the house. She obviously left the message earlier in the afternoon. I paused and cried again. My prayers for this family were constant throughout the day on Sunday and continue for this sweet young family.
What is really Important
Our family prayer lastnight was emotional for me as I prayed for strength for my new friends and I asked my Heavenly Father to bless us to remember what is truly important. In order to help us do this, we have started a new tradition or ritual, where we will go around and say one nice thing about each other before we get up and separate after our morning and evening family prayers. I hope this will help us not have any regrets and encourage us to look for the good in each other, just in case such a tragedy befalls our family.
How is your neighbor now? How are the children? Were they able to save them? Oh, I just cried. How terrible. And they'd just moved! I'm so sorry for her.
ReplyDeleteTerribly taxing week you had. You crammed much of life in that one week. Did they lose the child/children? I have been a lifeguard for many years, and teach Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges for the Scouts. I work so hard on trying to do my part to help the boys so they can protect themselves and others.
ReplyDeleteOn a happy note, congrats on the coming of baby number eight. What a Mom!
Fortunately, the two year old is going to be fine. Tragically, the five year old will not survive. I think this week will be emotional as our ward family prepares for a funeral.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to stop for what is most important.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to your dear neighbor. Sincerely. I'm sure they are so grateful for their baby, but so heartbroken over the loss of their oldest.
ReplyDeleteYes please update us Stacy our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I once went on a blind date set up by mothers and the young man was found dead in the pool a few days later. It was heartbreaking to watch that mother suffer and to want to know everything her son did or said that night. I felt so helpless. We never knew if it was sucide or an accident. It's been over 30 years and I still remember.
ReplyDeleteWow...makes you stop and think...and hug your kids. My prayers are with you and your neighbor and their families. I love the tradition. I'll think we'll try that one.
ReplyDeleteUpdate: The two year old boy was released from the hospital very quickly, he was completely well. The 5 1/2 year old girl unfortunately, did not fare as well. She was kept on the respirator until they could coordinate 5 organ transplants so her life could save 5 others. What a sacrifice their family has made to bless others through their tragedy. I attended the funeral today, it was beautiful and touching, yet one of the hardest things I have ever witnessed.
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