Saturday, April 18, 2009

An Ordinary Day

It was just an ordinary day.  A Thursday.  In April.

Michael had put on some jeans and was putting on a blue t-shirt when I came to say goodbye. I reminded him to put on his Young Actor's outfit and he started to change clothes.  I kissed him goodbye.  Told him I loved him.  Reminded him that he was walking home from school and that I would see him at 2:42.  And left for work.  A typical day. 

I got the call that Michael had passed out at school and that I should come.  I ran out of the office and to my car.  Halfway to the school, I was told to go to the Emergency Room.  I turned around and sped to the hospital.  I made phone calls along the way.  

Stu got there at the same time.

We waited.  We didn't know any additional details.  We had no idea.  It was just an ordinary day.

The ambulance arrived.  The driver got out of the ambulance.  A water bottle fell out of the drivers seat onto the floor.  He left it there.  I asked him if this was Michael in the back.  He didn't know his name.  I asked if it was a 9 year old boy.  He said yes.  Are you his parents?  Yes.  Come with me, he said.  I wanted to see Michael.  I held back.  They are still working on him.  Let them do their jobs, he said.  I followed.

It was just an ordinary day.

We were taken to the back hallway of the ER.  Asked to sit.  I couldn't.  Stu couldn't.  I had already pulled out the insurance cards, the card of Michael's cardiologist, the card identifying the device implanted into Michael's heart.  I was ready.  I wanted to find Michael.  I was certain he was scared.  I wanted to reassure him.  Stu told me to go find him.  I went.  I was greeted by the Victim Advocate of the Sheriff's office.  She escorted me back to the hallway.

The chaplain of the hospital was introduced to us.  I asked him why he was there.  In the movies, a chaplain's arrival was never a good thing.  

We answered questions from doctors, and the sheriff's office.  Stating the facts of Michael's medical history.  Looking for hope in the doctor's faces.  Trying to read between the lines of what was asked and what wasn't.  Not knowing any details.  Asking, pleading to be taken to Michael.  I needed to be by his side.  He needed his mommy.  I needed him.

A doctor came out of the room where Michael was.  He looked angry.  That didn't occur to me until just now.  and he told me the words that no mother should ever hear.  We did everything we could ... but your son didn't make it.

I fell to my knees.  I cried out loud.  I asked to be taken to see my baby.  
 
My whole world was taken away from me.
It was no ordinary day. 


9 comments:

BKicklighter said...

I can barely read it. I grieve with you, dear Jen.

Claire said she hugged you for us. It's not enough. I don't know what else I can do.

I love you. I am praying. I am crying.

keri said...

i'm sure you are pinching yourself every second of the day...thinking you are just dreaming....thinking "how can this be?" "did this really happen?" feeling such a void in your heart...that i'm sure will always be there. again...i'm just so sorry jenn. you are right, you heard the words that no mother should ever hear. and i hate that you had to hear them.

R said...

I'm so sorry. My heart is breaking for you right now. I found you through Mckmama's blog (though I'd also read about your loss on the Poka Dot Press) and wanted to tell you I'm praying for you.

Michelle said...

I'm so sorry! I can't imagine your heartbreak! I will be praying for you!! God bless you!
~Michelle

Wishing 4 One said...

So sorry for your loss, what a heartbreaking ordeal. I will think of Michael and your family in my prayers....

Me said...

So so sorry.

ME! said...

I have just found your blog through many various clicks. I am sorry for your loss. {{HUGS}}

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Weeping with you right now...I am so sorry...

Unknown said...

Jennifer - just starting to read your blog. This is Shannon Singleton - we went to SGHS together. Shannon Thompson told me about you losing your son. I thought that reading your blog would help me deal with losing my sister (her name was Jennifer also). When she died I went to live with my parents to help them through their nightmare - my mom was suicidal for several months. My heart breaks for you, I watched my parents lose a child. God seems to want the best ones back in heaven with Him. Time won't heal your pain, but time will ease the pain. Mom said that she had to create a new "normal" because the old "normal" would never return. Hold the memories of Michael tight!! I look forward to reading more of your blog. ~Shannon~