Heaven

Tonight the moon seems a little less beautiful, and tomorrow, the sun will be a little less bright. But the stars are going to twinkle with more passion now than they ever have before because Lorenzo has made it to Heaven. My thoughts are with Heather and her family. Little Ren will be greatly missed. He was just 7.

Magical Wishes

I am happy to report that Lorenzo has made it to Florida! The whole family drove down and after a few minor bumps in the road, sorta speak, they have reached their destination.

Skyler and I went to visit Lorenzo while he was in the hospital. I'll admit I was a bit worried about Sky seeing him. I worried that if something happened to Ren that Sky would be devastated... and I'm certain she would be. However, you just don't abandon a friend in need, no matter how much it could hurt you in the end. That is probably the best lesson I can teach my child. She loved visiting him! She actually didn't want to leave because she was having such a wonderful time.

I'm so happy that little Lorenzo's wish to "see the princesses" has come true!

His surgery is scheduled for June, after he returns from Florida. I'll keep you updated.

I'd also like to thank everyone who sent Lorenzo cards. From what I understand, they are still being delivered to the hospital. His Dr. said she'd hold on to all the cards for him and will give them to him when he gets back. Heather informed me that Ren was so excited to receive the cards and that they really made his day. So thank you :)

Another quick thank you... Thank you;

Blanton Built Customs

528 W Market St
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-989-0000

Heather got a flat and had trouble getting it fixed. She met Ed (owner of the shop) and he offered to fix it for her at his shop. He had the family back on the road in no time. Thanks Ed!!!

It just makes no sense!

Each day I struggle with the same questions. It's like a riddle that will never make sense and never be answered. Why do little kids have to suffer with adult diseases? Why must they fight to live? How can we, the parents of these kids, muster up the strength to watch them go thru painful procedures, surgeries, and loss... Loss of the normal life so many other kids get to enjoy? It seems almost impossible, but yet we do it.

I had the privilege to attend a very special birthday party this past weekend. It was one like no other. There were balloons, a jumpy house, face painting, raffles, an ice cream truck, fire engines, pizza, a dance show, goodie bags and over a hundred guests. It was even held at a fire station! I was so happy to be there! So why did I find myself tearing up throughout the day? Because the party was way more than a celebration of birth, it was a celebration of life. It was a celebration of a mothers love for her child, of all her wishes and dreams for that child. It was a celebration of hope. We celebrated Lorenzo.

I met Heather 7 years ago at Children's hospital. We were sitting in the waiting room holding our babies. She sat next to me and asked me what my daughter had (we both knew the kids "had" something, we were in the cardiology clinic). I told her Sky had dilated cardiomyopathy. I'll never forget what she said, "OMG That's what my son has! It's so rare, I can't believe they both have it". We exchanged numbers and have kept in contact ever since.

Unfortunately, Lorenzo's heart became too diseased and he had to have 2 heart transplants. Though I can't go into to details about his current status or prognosis, I can tell you that the birthday party was also a fundraiser. The family just wants to take their baby to Disney. They want his days filled with happiness and love... not pain and sadness. They want what every mother of a sick child wants. More time. More memories. However, It seems that Ren will have to have a very serious surgery before he can go to Disney. He'll have to have shunts placed in his coronary arteries to help keep them patent. He is scheduled to have this done on May 13th. Please, Please, keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers!

Heather is absolutely amazing, I know she hates hearing that but it's true. She handles all of this with such grace. She is truly an inspiration to me. So my thoughts and my prayers are going out to Lorenzo. I wish him a successful surgery and speedy recovery. But most of all, my wish for Lorenzo is that he gets to go to Disney... because that's where dreams really do come true.