Another first

Something came over me this morning as I rushed out the door.  I was dressed for my Boot Camp class, but I just felt compelled to take my dear friend, Heidi, a blanket for her son, Jacob.  Jacob is at the hospital (Scottish Rite).  He's on Rehab and working on trying to walk again.  He was diagnosed with ALL (leukemia) back in November.  I think it was November.  At any rate, I decided that I would go visit them since I was going to be super late to my workout class anyway.  I was running late because I'm working on a fundraiser for Kara's preschool for next year and met up with the Presidents of the Parent's Club.

Well, I ventured over to Scottish Rite today.  It was so strange to think that we spent so much time here.  It's funny how it can become such a distant reality in such a short amount of time.  I glanced over at the PICU room that Emmy was in last as I drove past it to turn into the hospital.  I was very emotional as I drove into the complex.  We went through so much here for the last almost 3 years.  I sat in the lobby waiting for Heidi and Jacob to come down and visit with Anna and me.  As I watched people coming and going and some patients being carted out of the doors of the hospital.  I just kept remembering that Emmy never went out the doors of this hospital.  When she left, she went to the roof and was put in a helicopter and flown across town to Egleston.  As I sat and visited with Heidi and Jacob, I saw one of Emmy's nurses from TICU.  Emmy was in TICU for about 3 weeks.  She remembered Emmy, of course, and was telling me that one of Emmy's bestest friends, Ed, has been so upset over Emmy's passing.  It is so touching that she had such an impact on their lives, too.  We love Ed and hope to talk with him someday soon.

Jacob had made a huge accomplishment today.  He walked!  He did such a great job this morning from what Heidi told me.  Go Jacob!  I've pasted his caring bridge site below if you want to follow Jacob on his journey to defeating ALL!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/prayforjacobmoore

I have been reading the website that was created for Anna Rebecca, the baby of the mom who made the Anna Blanket for Jacob.  www.annamemorial.com

In reading her posts after Anna passed, there is a poem that I would like to share.  It really touched my heart. Thank you Karin for sharing this poem and other books, poems on your website.  I enjoy reading about your journey as I begin mine.

My Mom is a Survivor
(by Kaye Des'Ormeaux, October 15, 1998 Dedicated to the mothers who have lost a child and have somehow survived)

My Mom is a Survivor,
or so I've heard it said.
But I can hear her crying at night
when all others are in bed

I watch her lay awake at night
and go to hold her hand.
She doesn't know I'm with her
to help her understand.

But like the sands on the beach
That never wash away...
I watch over my surviving mom,
who thinks of me each day.

She wears a smile for others...
a smile of disguise!
But through Heaven's door I see
tears flowing from her eyes.

My mom tries to cope with death
to keep my memory alive.
But anyone who knows her knows
it is her way to survive.

As I watch over my surviving mom
through Heaven's open door...
I try to tell her that angels
protect me forevermore.

I know that doesn't help her...
or ease the burden she bears.
So if you get a chance, go visit her...
and show her that you care.

For no matter what she says...
no matter what she feels.
My surviving mom has a broken heart
that time won't ever heal.