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Inspirational Reads

Drear

March 1, 2009

It's dark. It's cold. It's raining.

Pretty much matches the mix of emotions swirling inside me right now.

My nephew died this morning. I don't know when, I just know it was early. My father-in-law called me at 7:00 am to tell us, and I called my wife at work to let her know. We then had to tell the kids and they took it with a mixture of emotions. My daughter was sad; my son was happy that little John McMillan would become an angel. I think that thought kind of calmed us all.

Without getting into the medical side of it too much, John McMillan was born with some calcified spots on his brain, much like my sister. Whereas my sister would have a seizure or two or sometimes three a day, my nephew had them about every thirty minutes, and that was if he was lucky. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law faced some really tough decisions--ones I thank God every day that I never had to make--and they filed do not resuscitate papers back before Christmas. While we had been expecting this phone call for months, it didn't make it any easier. The only good thing was that it wasn't too much of a shock to the kids because we had explained it to them a long time ago.

My wife went down to Atlanta to be with her family--naturally, on the day the biggest blizzard of the season--and definitely the worst in the past six years--hit the southeast. I'll be here with the kids for the next three days or so. Sorry, it's really snowy and crappy, otherwise, I'd throw a kegger. Fuck, I might just do that anyway and just invite myself.

Also, I want to say now...while I've never met most of you folks, I know what kind and caring people you can be. This is one helluva blog community we've built up around ourselves, and it's one that I'm very thankful to be a part of. So, I want to say thank you ahead of time, because I know that you're all going to offer prayers and thoughts and kind words for me and my family. My wife reads this, too, so I know she'll appreciate it, as well. Thank you all, because you're awesome and you'll make me feel better. I'll try to get back to my perky self soon, but in the meantime, I'm going to work through some sadness.

34 comments:

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

My thoughts are with you. THis life sure is unfair to those who least deserve it...

Jidai said...

Both of our thoughts will be with you and your family.

Some Guy said...

I'm so sorry. My condolences to you and your family. And ditto to all that stuff you said in the last paragraph.

Chemgeek said...

My thoughts and prayers are indeed with you and your family, my friend.

Frank said...

You and your family will be in my thoughts...myself and all the other folks in the bloggy world are always here if you need anything.

Scope said...

As a Chr-Easter Catholic, I might not have much cred upstairs, but maybe since He doesn't hear from me often, He'll know it's important when I pray for your family tonight.

Alaina said...

Thinking of you and your loved ones in this time of sorrow.

Will Shannon said...

My sincerest condolences go out to you and your family on this sad loss.

I recently learned how good it is to have a strong network of support, so you are right on there.

Hang in there.

coolred38 said...

Im new here...but sorrow is sorrow no matter where it comes from. Just take it one day at a time...it does get better.

words...words...words... said...

I'm very sorry for your family's loss. I'll pray for your nephew tonight.

Sass said...

You and your family are in my thoughts...

Wish there was something more I could say.

Hap said...

I'm sorry for your loss. This doesn't seem to be a good winter. I keep running out of things to say.

Minor side note - I will pray for wife and munchkins. Atlantans can't drive when it's good out (the lump of spaghetti that is their road system doesn't help), and I don't think the snow will do them any good at all.

Joel D. Timm said...

Hang in there man, tough thing to go through.

Jess said...

I'm so sorry. My Catholic girl in me wants to bring you a casserole because that makes everything better, right? Let me know if you guys need anything.

extraneousflickassery said...

Damn. Sorry to hear that man.

Giggle Pixie said...

There is nothing sadder than the loss of a child. My heart goes out to the parents and to all of you. May John McMillin rest in peace. You will all be in my prayers.

Susan said...

I am so sorry to hear your knews. It's even harder to accept and understand when it's someone younger. My prayers are with you and your wife and her entire family. We can be patient until you feel up to entertaining us again.

red said...

Man, I'm so sorry to hear that.

TishTash said...

I'm very sorry to hear that.

Ashley said...

Oh man...my PRAYERS are with you. You and I know that's the best I can do for you. More importantly, my prayers are with his parents.

dg said...

So very sorry to hear about this. I hope that you and your family will be OK. There is never any rhyme or reason to this type of thing. I'll be thinking of you.

Gwen said...

Oh, jenks, I'm so sorry. Your son is right, John just went ahead to hold seats for the rest of you. My condolences.

Ms. Florida Transplant said...

I'm so sorry...my thoughts & prayers will be with your family during this time.

Cora said...

Oh, Mjenks, I'm so very, very sorry to hear that. That is awful. I'm sending big, warm hugs to you and your family. *HUGS!!!!*

Lisa-tastrophies said...

As long as we are remembered we are never really lost.

I wish I had wise words and a magic elixir that could remove all the pain your family is going through, but I don't. I wish I could say that things will get better with time, but the truth is they really don't. The pain will fade, but it will never really go away. At least it never has for me. No parent should ever have to bury their child. It sounds trite but it's true. It leaves you hollow. My prayers will be with you & your family.

Love Always
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Never easy, always too soon. Thoughts and prayers.

Pfangirl said...

Just adding my condolences as well. I really think your son said it best and I think his words are a great starting point for healing when you're ready to begin the process eventually. Otherwise, I'm thinking of you and your loved ones.

Candy's daily Dandy said...

Oh Mjenks, I am so sorry. I hope the love of your family helps to ease the pain of your loss.

My prayers are with you and your family at this time.

Sassy Britches said...

Oh, my. Good thoughts heading towards you and your family, and prayers that everyone involved can be at peace.

LYDIA said...

My thoughts are with you and your family - and I will even say a prayer tonight :) It's been a while, but this is a worthy cause.

Normalize breastfeeding. said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your nephew. You and your family are in my thoughts.

BeckEye said...

Just reading this now...I'm so sorry for your loss. I love my nieces and nephews like they're my own, so I can imagine how devastating this is.

SouthernBelle said...

Oh no, I've only just got to read this post... I'm so sorry, my thoughts are with you & your family.

Fancy Schmancy said...

Sorry this is late, but it doesn't change the sentiment. My heart goes out to your whole family, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Give your kids extra kisses this week.