A Sweet Visit to East TN Children's Hospital
Today was a very special day for me and Monty. East TN Friends of Babies with Special Needs, an organization which provided services to Tucker (our whole family) following his stroke, had contacted me awhile back and asked what they could do as a tribute to Tucker. Monty and I told them that while we were in the hospital in DC, one activity that Tucker LOVED was riding around the unit in a wagon. The room often seems to get smaller with each day of your stay, and a wagon ride is a WONDERFUL way to change the view a bit. The only problem is that the wagons can be hard to come by and are sometimes even obtained only after being on a waiting list.
Today ETBSN asked us to join them at East TN Children's Hospital to present THREE brand new wagons, one for each patient floor. Each wagon has a plaque with Tucker's name on it. The staff was ecstatic. I had never noticed a wagon at ETCH before, but I learned today that the reason is the waiting list is incredibly long. Hopefully that won't be a problem any longer.
I was humbled as a rep of ETBSN expressed his heartfelt gratitude to US for allowing him and the organization to be a part of Tucker's life and a witness to Tucker's story. He spoke about a particular day on which he had come to our home. He told a story about a mother who read "Llama Llama Red Pajama" to her son, and her son's face came to life. He told of how he watched in amazement as the mother and child interacted. He said he had never seen two people more in tune to one another.
I remember. I remember those people. I remember those moments. Though sometimes it's hard to process the fact that I actually lived them, I remember. What an amazing gift.
In my selfish nature, I look back on that time in my life and remember how it felt to be so needed and how it felt to experience pure reciprocation of my love. For 11 months, Monty and I got to be someone's whole world (at least aside from Lightning McQueen). Tucker didn't need to be entertained, he just wanted to be held and loved. That's what we did. No regrets.
I was reminded today of the bond that Monty and I shared with Tucker. I was reminded of the realness of the impact that his life made, not only on our hearts, but on the hearts of everyone who knew of him. I just can't believe I actually got to be Tucker Howard's mother! Amazing!
I had a great visit at Children's. I was able to visit with a patient and family and also had the chance to visit with some faculty that I hadn't seen in awhile. Hopefully Mended Little Hearts will be a well-known resource to heart families in Knoxville, very soon.
I was surprised to hear piano music in the lobby. "Music Therapy," they call it. Children's is now doing this on a regular basis, and anyone interested can call (865) 541-8451. I could honestly tell a difference in the atmosphere.
Thank you to Frank and Belinda Gambuzza and the staff of Visage for raising over $3000 for the East TN Chapter of the Make A Wish Foundation. You guys are amazing!!!
Make A Wish is obviously close to our hearts and has provided our family with memories that will be forever treasured. We actually just returned from an extension of our original trip.
Thanks for continuing to be a part of our story. We love you all!
Candy and Monty
No words can describe the feeling he placed in our hearts. I know you miss him SO BAD, and knowing that he's in better care right now than even you could have provided, knowing that he is forever whole, dancing and playing in Heaven, doesn't completely heal the scar on your heart. Your wounded heart won't be completely whole until THAT day. The day you see his beautiful face again, and see the face of Jesus for the first time, your heart will then be made whole. God IS good, and HIS mercies endure forever. MMY, bff.
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As always you have expressed yourself in a way that makes your experience so real to those of us out here in cyberspace. Thank you again for the amazing witnesses you have been, showing us what real love is. I hope and pray your family is comforted and consoled by your faith and your memories of Tucker. He, and all of you, truly touched the world.
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God is wonderful! Memories that last a life time! Thank you again for sharing this part of your lives with us! You are a true Blessing!~ Always in my prayers! Our lives have been touched!
Love, Cindy
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Candy,
I love the wagons, and so do the kids at Children's. Glad to know there was an opportunity for you guys and that was a great idea! Neat!
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It's so wonderful to hear how Tucker continues to make a difference in our world. I miss him so much and can't imagine how much you do. Thank you for continuing to share your story. You are amazing!
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I just ran across your blog. Our story is long but the short version is: Our 17 yr old daughter has had all the surgeries Tucker had and a fontan re-do. She suffered 3 strokes after her Glenn. We had 10 good years and are now back in the midst of it. Pacemaker placement last week...looking at possible transplant. I'm now looking for support that I didn't have 10 yrs ago. Could you point me in the right direction. Dr. Bremer was my cardio and they told me she quit and didn't know what she was doing...that she was staying home with her kids. I was surprised to see that's not true either. Thanks for sharing your difficult but beautiful story.
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