blogger mom

Yesterday afternoon I saw something I never want to see again, the face of a mother who has lost her child. I remember the look on my mom's face when we knew there was a chance my brother would die, but there was still hope in her eyes. I saw Joy at the hospital on Monday, and although she was a wreck, she was still clinging to the hope of a miracle. Yesterday I watched her come back home without her son, and I'll never forget the look on her face. She could hardly walk, and was leaning on her niece for support. She was weeping and her eyes were blank, hopeless.

We are grieving too, missing Luis already. I had to tell Riley yesterday without Eric, he knew something was wrong. When I told him he said, "But he's my friend." He wanted to know if people come back after they die. When I told him they didn't he said, "But I want him to come back." We talked about what a good friend Luis was and how we'll never forget him. He came back throughout the day with questions--"Why didn't the doctors give him medicine?"--"Why do people die?"

When Eric came home from work last night and the kids were in bed we sat in our room and talked about memories of Luis. It was good to talk about him with Eric.

Luis taught Riley that the trees on the side of our house were more than just trees, they were a jungle.

Luis taught Riley that the slide in the backyard wasn't just for sliding down, but also for climbing up.

Luis said the pizza I made was the best he'd ever had--whole wheat crust, soy cheese, and tomato sauce--I think he just liked to see me smile.

Luis picked me more dandelions than I can count.

He loved to eat dinner with us.

He loved to come over when our community gathered, especially if Nora Bell was going to be there.

He told me at the beginning of this school year, "I don't like recess. I'd much rather be inside reading."

One of my favorite Luis lines of all time--"Riley, if your new baby is a girl and she's hot when she grows up, can I marry her?"

The last time I saw him healthy was Christmas Eve. We were opening stockings with my family when there was a knock at the door. Luis came in with a little basket of candy and a Christmas card.

The last thing I said to him at the hospital--"Luis, I love you."

Our family has been changed for the better by the life of Luis. We've learned a lot from him. He's been part of our life in Grandview since the day we moved in. Pray for us as we continue to be neighbors with his family.