1 Year

Yesterday marked 1 year since Deklyn's celebration of life, February 28th marked 1 year since Deklyn passed away. At the time, I thought that those moments were the hardest in my life but if I'm completely honest there have been days since he passed away that have been much harder then those days. You'd think that as you come to a year, the hurt should be a little less... sometimes it is, sometimes its not. Its hard to explain the feelings around losing your child. As I thought about February 28th coming up... I really didn't expect it to be a very hard day.. we miss Deklyn all the time.. that day wouldn't really be any different. February 27th, I was in the car by myself and suddenly I was just incredibly sad that Deklyn wasn't in the back in a car seat... it just hit me out of no where... I was trying not to cry but I honestly couldn't stop the tears from coming. That's when I began to think the next day might be harder then I thought... but it really was ok.. I missed him, and it made me sad that that day marked a year since we had seen him alive.. but we kept busy and that made it easier. I honestly hadn't cried at all, until we came home from supper with Sheridan's siblings and the driveway was lined with colorful jars, and lights in them.

A huge thank you to my mom and mom in-law for organizing this! Each jar contained a note from someone. It was almost like after the funeral all over again, in a good way! We sat at our table taking turns reading the notes and reading how Deklyn and we have affected people in such a good way just made me feel so good. Although we'd been told these things before it just never hurts to hear it again and by so many people. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this, or to anyone who sent me texts and e-mails that day. Its always nice to know that we are being thought of and that people are praying for us. I try very hard to make sure people in my family still feel like Deklyn is a part of their lives in the best way I know how.. so for this to be done for us meant a lot to me... I'd been feeling like I was running dry, giving so much of myself and trying to make others happy and this definitely made me feel so much better.

I'm going to leave you with a post that I didn't write. a friend of mine passed this along and it really helped me see things from a better perspective. You can find that post here. Everyone who has asked the question "Why me?" should read this... it really helped me to see again what really matters. It doesn't matter whats going on with everyone else, we are called to follow Jesus. I hope you find it as encouraging a I did.

Grief

Everyone handles grief differently, and I don't think there is a right or wrong way. I didn't know that grief would be the way that it is for me. When Deklyn died, I didn't know if I could ever be genuinely happy again. I thought how can I 'move on' without one of my children here with me? Its amazing the thoughts that run through your mind in those moments when I could hardly even say the word funeral and picking the color of his casket felt like torture.Although Deklyn was sick, his death still felt like a suprise. The night before he died, Sheridan and I were lucky enough to get to hold him. He had pretty bad de-saturations when being moved to our arms, these de-saturations would usually send doctors and nurses and RT's running to his side. But this time we just let him work though it on his own as we had already made the decision to let him go when he was ready, and when he came though it he was pretty calm and seemed happy to be in our arms. I cried looking at his puffy little body, wishing with all my heart that I could take every bit of his pain away. Sheridan and I prayed for him and knew that this wasn't over, Deklyn could still get his healing at any moment. We never stopped believing, even though he was so sick and we were so tired. I remember whispering in his ear numerous times how much I loved him and that he could go to be with Jesus whenever he wanted to, but I never stopped believing. When he died I felt completely numb, almost like the moment I was told there was something wrong with him, but a thousand times worse.

So how has grief affected me? Deklyn was the first person that I was really close to that passed away. I had never had to deal with this kind of grief before and I really didn't know how to handle it. I knew I didn't want to be mad at God, because I know this wasn't God's doing. But why? Why my son? Why couldn't he get better like the other kids with HPP like Gideon who is just doing amazingly well? I imagined them playing together and being just the best buddies because they have this strange thing in common. Why did this have to happen to my family? I was attacked by these questions, and I so easily could have let them take root in my heart and make me angry.

Sometimes these "why" questions cause me a lot of pain. Sometimes I let them get to me and they cause me to get very angry... but what I try to do is re-direct my thoughts. I can't change the fact that Deklyn died, I can't change the fact that the 14 months we had with him were spent in the hospital... but the time that we had really was amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything! If I think about that, and how he is free from all pain, running and dancing... how can I be sad about that?? I'm so incredibly happy for Deklyn... but sad for us and for our families. We've got 1 niece and 1 nephew right now, and few more on the way and so many friends having babies this year which is so incredibly exciting but if I think about how Deklyn won't get to play with them here on earth, and how we're going to see more babies born healthy, its very easy to be jealous that we didn't get that experience with Deklyn it can make me very sad and a very unhappy person, but I have to make the choice to be happy. I feel upset that people just really don't understand what I've gone though... but at the same time I wouldn't wish what I've gone through upon anyone. I'm not saying I always make the right choice, but I try my best. I know that one day we will all be together in heaven forever, and that will be SO awesome. But for right now, we are just going to miss him and we just can't change that, but I can change my attitude. I'm only hurting myself by being upset.

I know so many people struggling with grief, and I don't have this all figured out not even close. But I know the way I'm handling grief has helped other so I thought I'd share it on here. I still have bad days, but they are fewer than they used to be and it is totally ok to have bad days, but I just can't let it consume by life. I don't know how long it will be till I see Deklyn again and I don't want to spend all that time being sad and angry. I'd rather take my experinces and reach out to others and show the love of God to others. Helping others has helped me more than you could imagine. Talking with other mom's who had lost children has also been very helpful, showing me that I'm not the only one dealing with this kind of loss. Its everywhere, and I'm actually lucky that I got 14 months with Deklyn, not everyone is that lucky.

I hope that what I've said here has helped at least one person. I would also like to ask if Sheridan, myself and our families could get some prayers this month. February 28th marks 1 year since Deklyn passed away and there are just so many memories that come with this month. Its pretty overwhelming thinking about all the things we had to talk about in his last month, we so appreciate your prayers!

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Deklyn's 2nd Birthday Bash

Friday was our incredibly baby boys 2nd birthday, the day went much better than I expected. We had a big party with our family and some friends, we made lots of food and just enjoyed each others company. I had a really hard time deciding what to do for Deklyn... singing Happy Birthday seemed like it would be too hard, but in the end we decided on having a cake for him and Sheridan and myself sent away a lantern by his grave before the party. 

I kept pretty busy through out the day which really helped me not to get caught up in being sad that he wasn't here on his birthday. I have a few people that I want to say thank you to, first off to my sister in-law Brooklyn, thank you for coming over... I think I would have been pretty sad had I not had you there with me. Thank you to Brooklyn and Pam for making such an awesome cake, I'm sure Deklyn loved it! Thank you to my mom for the beautiful arrangement. Thank you to everyone who made it to the party, it made our day so much easier and it just helped us to see how many people love Deklyn and still think of him and us. Thank you to anyone who took the time to let me know they were thinking of me, either in person, text or e-mail. A huge thank you to my brother in-law Madison.. going to Deklyn's grave and seeing it shoveled so that we could see the stake meant more than I think anyone could imagine... Also thank you to Tim & Pam for bringing the balloon to his grave, and who ever wrote "I Love You Deklyn" in the snow by his grave... thank you. I honestly don't know what I would do for someone on the birthday of their child who has passed away.. a few people brought us gifts and each one of them will be treasured forever.. thank you to each one of you who brought us something.. each gift was so thoughtful and made us feel so loved.

I felt I needed to have some kind of tradition for Deklyn's birthday that we can keep up with our future kids. I searched the internet to come up with ideas and couldn't find anything I really liked... in the end we decided to always send off a lantern for him, I wish we could do balloons but in the winter balloons won't lift. We also decided to use the money that we would normal spend on him for his birthday and give it to either a charity, a family in need, or use it just to do something nice for some one else. These things have really helped me to get through his birthday.

I am so incredibly grateful for the time I had with Deklyn... I am so happy that I got to experience one birthday with him... I feel so blessed that I got 2 Christmas's with him...  I really am so incredibly lucky. 

During this Christmas season, try to remember those around you. Its so easy to get caught up with your self and your family, but there are so many people hurting all around us. I encourage you to see what you can do for some one else this season, bring a smile to someone's face and make them feel loved and thought of. This goes for myself as well, its very easy for me to think only about myself and my family as this is our first Christmas with out our Deklyn, but we are not the only ones hurting and often it helps to heal our own hearts when we help others. 

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, thank you so much for your support and encouragement this past year. We have felt so much love and support. We are hoping that next year we will be able to introduce you all to a new sibling for Deklyn, but we will see what 2014 brings for us. God is good all the time and we know that he is always for us. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support!

Dear Deklyn

Deklyn,

I miss you so much, but I am so glad that you don't miss me. We are 1 month away from your 2nd birthday, I can only imagine what your birthday party is going to be like in heaven. I wish I could plan a party for you like I did last year, that was so much fun! Even though you were back in Intensive Care, we had such a great time. You got spoiled with so many presents and I'll never forget the amazing memories we made that day. We are going to have a party for you here, to celebrate you and your amazing life. Its hard to do these things with out you, but it would be even harder to not have a party at all. 

Daddy and I talk about you a lot. We joke that you have your own circus up in heaven, that you've got all these animals trained to do anything that you want. We talk about how you and Cash go for tractor rides and play together. We wonder what Uncle Grant has all shown you and we are sure he must be telling you stories about Daddy from when he was a little boy. We feel jealous that you've met daddy's sister, I'm sure she's being an amazing auntie to you and spoling you enough for all your auntie's left behind.

 I wonder how big you are now... I'm so sad that I don't get to see you grow. Sometimes I close my eyes and try to imagine you calling me, I can't wait to hear your beautiful voice when I get to heaven.When ever I sing, I feel you watching me. I think you like my singing and are proud of me when I praise God with my voice. I imagine you singing the words with me.

I try my best not to get sad when I see other kids with their mommys. I know I'm going to get to be with you soon, but its still hard for me. I tried my best to take care of you, I had so much fun being a mommy. Some times I find myself asking why... The other day I looked into your room and thought I really should clean it up a bit.. so I started taking things from the closet and re organizing.... and I came across some of your blankets. Your blankets were a big part of your life, clothes you didn't always get to wear and your toys didn't always get played with, but you were always on one of your blankets. I started to cry, and I got mad that I could wrap you up in one, that I couldn't see you smile when you looked at your favorite ones... But I remember, we were never promised an easy life. God never promised to rescue us from every horrible thing that happens to us here on earth. His promise is eternal life to those that follow him. I have held on to my faith like I never have before because of you Deklyn. You've made me a better person in every way possible and a better Christian. Heaven holds a whole new meaning when someone you love is there.

Deklyn, I am so very proud to be your mommy. Even though I am so sad that you are not here, especially for your birthday and Christmas... I am so glad I had you for the time that I did. You taught me so much and I hope I never forgot the lessons I've learned through you.

Some one that I meant through all this, and has also lost her own son said this and I think it is so perfect.
 In the worst of the storm, when I had all but given in, peace found me, the kind that passes all understanding, and it knew right where I was. It didn't change the circumstances, but it changed my heart, which changed it all.

I'll see you soon Buddy, I love you with all my heart.

Love, Your Mommy

Deklyn's Fund & Adoption Update

I have some pretty awesome news! I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated to the Deklyn Sawatzky Endowment Fund, we have reached our first initial goal of $10,000!! I can't believe it! In under 4 months we raised $10,000!  $10,000 was our first goal because after there is that amount in the fund the interest created goes towards research for Hypophosphatsia! We will obviously continue to raise money. I want them to have as much money as possible for research but now at least we have made it to the point where the fund is making a difference! I feel so proud to be able to carry on my son's name through this fund. Its one of the only things I have left that is a piece of my son that is active and it makes me so happy to be able to carry this out. My goal is to see no child die from HPP, I'm sure that one day I will be able to hear about a child who was just like Deklyn and hear how he's doing so amazing and getting to do all the things that Deklyn didn't get to do. That will probably make me sad that Deklyn didn't get that chance... but he got more then most of the children who came before him! Some HPP kids only had that moment in their parents arms right after they were born and some I'm sure are lost in miscarriage.

I want to ask for prayer as we continue down the road of adoption. Prayer for peace and patience for us and also prayer for our child and the birth mother of that child. We are excited and can't wait to have a baby in our home but at the same time try not to be too excited because we have no idea how long it could take or if we will ever be picked. It's a very helpless feeling. We love being parents, and we can't wait to be able to act like parents again. I'm excited for our families... although we will never forget Deklyn and he will be a very real part of our lives forever, I think us having a child through adoption will bring a lot of healing to our whole family especially on my side. Deklyn was the only grand baby and nephew, and there is a very obvious void when we get together where as on my husband's side there are 2 very crazy and lovable grand babies that I feel helps the void of Deklyn not being their become just a bit more bare-able. I know everyone misses him like crazy and that won't stop, but I know as more kids join the family and the date of his death moves further behind us it will become easier and their will be less hard days for everyone. Of course I don't want a child for the reason of helping everyone to heal from Deklyn's death, I want a child because I love being a parent and for the exact same reason we decided to start a family when we had Deklyn.

A few weekends ago we went to a mandatory weekend long seminar for perspective adopt parents. I'll be completely honest, when we started this whole adoption process I was very upset. For us, getting pregnant was easy and adoption looked so hard. I was mad that we had to make the responsible choice for our family and decide not to get pregnant because of the risk of having more children like Deklyn and not wanting to put a child or our families through that again. I kept thinking, even if we did have another child like Deklyn of course I would love him/her... I would do everything I did for Deklyn again in a heartbeat... but I know if we went through that again we would have a lot of guilt and it would be that much harder watching that baby experience the things Deklyn had to experience knowing that we could have prevented it. Everyone has their own reasons for why they decide to have kids or not when knowing the risks and for us right now even though for me it has been a very hard decision we know that this is the choice we want for our family. I know quite a few families who have decided to have kids knowing the risks and I am not trying to say that they shouldn't have done that. This is just want feels right for us. For me deciding to adopt was a bit of a grieving process and I can't really say I'm done grieving but I am a thousand times more excited about it now then I was when we first started discussing it. There are so many things you have to do when you decide to adopt and it feels unfair... and I guess in some ways it is, but I've totally gotten over it. This is the path our family is taking to have children in our home and that is just the way it is.. being upset isn't going to change it and I have seriously come to the point where I am just so excited about it and can't wait to hear that a birth mom has picked us to be her baby's parents!

Again I just want to thank all of you who have been supporting us with prayer and donating to Deklyn's Fund, it means so much to us! Thank you to all of you who continue to talk about Deklyn and tell us how much he has impacted you, it makes us so happy!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Sorry that I don't post to often anymore but I promise to keep you updated on Deklyn's Foundation and our whole adoption process.

Where I Am Today...

Well, its been awhile since my last post and I know people are wondering how we are doing.  I'm sorry if this post seems to be a little more on the sad side, I try my best to be positive but I also want to be as real and honest as I can and this is just one of those posts showing how it really is and I am terribly sorry if any of this offends anyone. Its been 5 months now since I saw my little boy alive and I can say its not getting easier. Honestly it feels like its getting harder. Shortly after Deklyn died everyone was talking about him, people from all over were telling me how amazing Deklyn was and how he impacted their lives. I still get that from time to time but it has slowed down greatly. Deklyn's name doesn't get mentioned nearly as often as it used to, which I understand is normal but as a mom its hard. All moms love to brag and talk about their kids. I still love to talk about him but I know for some people its not a very comfortable subject. People like to talk about what is new, and we obviously don't have anything new to say about him. I'm honestly having a very hard time, I know most people wouldn't guess that by looking at me. I very easily pull on my happy face, that is just who I am in almost all situations. As of right now, I honestly still can not believe this has happened to us. It feels like at any moment I could wake up and all this was a dream. I get a big wake up call anytime I go to Deklyn's grave. This is always where it hits me hard, I stare at that little stake in disbelief... my babies body is seriously under the ground... that is my beautiful babies name on that stake. Its almost like how I was in shock after we found out something was wrong. This just can not be, this has to be a dream.

Almost every night before I fall asleep I relive Deklyn's death. It was such a sad moment in our lives and obviously very traumatic. But when I can't stop thinking about it, I try and focus on my favorite part of that horrible day, the moment Deklyn was in my arms hooked up to absolutely nothing for the very first time in his life, on earth and in heaven. The moment I had longed for for over a year, it was here but not in the way I had anticipated. The monitors were turned off, there were no machines beeping, it was just me, sheridan and our beautiful son. Looking back I wish I had held him longer, but right then it felt pointless... he wasn't in that body anymore. I just love thinking that the moment I held Deklyn the way I had always wanted, he was doing everything I wanted him to be able to do in that exact same moment. While I was looking at his amazing little face, he was looking into the eyes of Jesus and I hope Jesus told him how much we loved him and how proud we were of him.

But thats enough sad talk, I'll move on to something a little more exciting.

Sheridan and I have embarked on a new journey in our lives. Its again not an easy road, but will hopefully have great reward at the end. We have officially started the process to adopt. I don't like to talk about it too much because it is so uncertain, and I don't want to get excited about something that may never happen. We are going a route where a mom who is pregnant or has just had a baby here in manitoba and wants to give her child up for adoption has to pick us... so nothing is for sure, we may never get picked but I sure hope we do. Adoption is SO much more complicated than people think. When I begin to explain the whole process to other people they are just shocked. TV shows and movies have definitely made adoption look much easier than it really is. We are not approved for adoption yet, its quite a process but we are on our way. So thats that! We are on our way to having our family, I don't think things will ever be 'normal' for our family. We will always be missing one person at the table, there will always be one person I wish was with us where ever we are. But I can't change that and we have to move on. I know we can't wait to be over Deklyn to make this step, because we will never be over him. I will always miss him like crazy, but I know I want to be a mommy, and I have always had it so strong in me to have kids.. we both love kids so much and we just can't see our home with out a child for much longer. So through this route we could have a child in our arms a year from now or 10 years from now. Either way we are excited to have another baby in our lives and be able to be parents again. If you would like to pray with us in this, please pray for the mom who will be choosing us, and our future child.

I want to thank everyone who has made a donation to Deklyn's Endowment Fund. It really means so much to us, and this is just one way we can continue to have Deklyn in our lives. Thank you for all your love and support on this journey we have been on. It's not easy as you can see, but it helps to have the amazing family and friends that we do that keep Deklyn's name alive and remind us that he is not forgotten.

Deklyn's Daddy Is My Hero

 Fathers are amazing.They have a strength that I don't think gets the proper recognition Especially in situations that are not ideal, I feel like the fathers don't get enough credit. Deklyn has the most amazing daddy I could ever pick for him. He is the strongest man I have ever met and I can't believe after all he has been through he is still so strong.

When Sheridan and I first found out something was wrong, I felt like I was in the worst situation possible. I remember sitting and looking at the doctor as he told us "Something is very wrong with your baby" I felt completely numb, I looked over at my husband who was holding my hand. He bent over closer to me and instantly said "Its going to be ok, God will heal him" now this was not my first thought. But in that moment, Sheridan changed everything. I went from complete fear, to hope. That is a man of God.

Deklyn was born, Sheridan was exhausted! He had been up for 2 whole days but he continued to take care of me and continued to speak positively into our situation. I had a c-section so I needed lots of help getting out of bed and into a wheel chair. He was with me every step of the way and took all of my complaining! Sheridan took a little over a month off of work to be with Deklyn and I, but eventually we would need money to be coming in. As the head of the home, Sheridan took this responsibility very seriously. At the time, I was feeling sorry for myself. I was the one who had to stay in the city by myself, eat by myself and sit by Deklyns bed all day long by myself. One day I was pretty sick, as I shouldn't have been with Deklyn during that time anyways I decided to go home with Sheridan for a night to get some rest. That day at home was the worst! I missed Deklyn so much and just wanted to get back. After that I tired not to complain about Sheridan having to leave because I knew that it was most likely harder on him than it was on me. He would come to Winnipeg Thursday evening and leave Sunday night. He spent Monday to Thursday all by himself, worrying about me and Deklyn.

All through Deklyn's life we were continually believing we would see healing in Deklyn. Sheridan never let me think other wise. The night before Deklyn passed away Sheridan and I both took turns holding him. It was so hard, as we both knew it was going to be soon unless something major happened. As I was holding Deklyn, tears streaming down my face Sheridan said "He can still receive his healing" what an amazing man.
The day Deklyn passed away, I was sitting on the couch in the room and Sheridan was laying beside him the big bed they had moved Deklyn to. As his heart rate slowly dropped and we realized what was happening, the nurses turned off his machines as we stood by his side. I honestly had no words, I don't think I even told him I loved him in those last minutes. But what came out of Sheridans mouth? "In Jesus name you are healed Buddy" wow... He continually amazed me, even in the moment we lost our son.

Since Deklyn has passed away, Sheridan has had to be incredible strong. Firstly he has to try and get back to regular life as quick as possible so that we can have money coming in, then he has to take care of me who misses Deklyn so much she can hardly function, and than some how he needs to take care of himself. Its hard seeing other families playing with their kids, its hard seeing our niece and nephew and wishing so badly that they could know Deklyn and play with him too... Its hard while everyone continues to go on, we are stuck. People slowly stop talking about him and move on while we don't know where to go. Its just plain hard.

I don't know what you think you would do, but for me seeing my son go through so much was very hard. I had plenty of opportunity to be negative and I did struggle with that. I know Sheridan struggled too, but as the man of the house and as a father  I can not say enough how amazing he has been. He has always put God first and in every decision we had to make he has always made me so proud.

Sheridan, you are the most amazing father. You have made me so incredibly proud. The way you played with Deklyn, the way you held him, talked to him and prayed for him. You are the most admirable father I have ever seen. I know sometimes your jokes are covering up the hurt, and that's ok. I want you to know, I know you did everything you could to help me and our little boy. You are more of a father than I have seen in anyone I know. I know sometimes you feel like you have failed and I know sometimes you are hurting more than you let on, but trust me when I say that you did not fail. You have done your job as head of the home, and no one could have done it better than you. Deklyn and I love you so incredibly much. I know that he can't wait to have his first game of paint ball with you in heaven. He's watching you as you build the car that I know you so wish he could sit in with you. I wish he could too. Please never forget that you are the most amazing father Deklyn could have and you are so incredibly loved by him and me.
Happy Fathers Day to the most deserving, incredible and amazing Daddy. You are my hero, and I know you are Deklyn's as well.