#96days96ways #day11
I was in your son’s life for multiple brief moments while he was in the PICU. I was one of the many different echo techs who spent time praying and worrying over his heart and his life. I know all the uncertainties about his heart function must have been so frustrating, it was that way to us too. We wanted so badly for the function to be better every time we put our probe on his little chest. We asked for updates on him all the time, even on sweet Caroline. I did one of her last echos before she left the hospital to go home. She is beautiful, like a perfect babydoll. When I left her room after her echo I told your husband something along the lines of “I’m so glad she’s so much better! I hope Will will be too”. When our cardiologists informed us that Will had passed, my heart sunk. I didn’t want to believe that he wouldn’t get to go home and grow up with Caroline. When I was in the PICU the next day and I saw them cleaning Will’s empty room I couldn’t help but cry. He had sat in that room looking down the hallway just like you said before! It was his room. It will always be Will’s room. We have lost many babies/kids/teenagers but precious Will stays in my heart constantly. We only got to spend a little time with your incredible Will but he truly touched all of the cardiology team’s hearts. It is so amazing to see Caroline doing so well! And how Will continues to bless people’s lives by helping our patients from Patrons of the Heart is a joy to see! Those kiddos touch my life too and seldom do we get updates about how they are doing when they go back home, so thank you for sharing that with us! You are incredible for sharing your journey in your blogs. You and Will both have impacted my life. I see God all the time in the lives of the patients I meet but to see His hands so clearly illustrated in Will’s story is what is indescribable. He knew every breath Will would get to take. He knew the strength you would need to be there for your family and to be able to share Will’s story with the world. Anonymus
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#96days96ways #day10
Will, First of all, your mommy is a rock star! She fought for you and loved you as long as you were here on earth with her. And she is fighting for you and loving you until she is reunited with you again. Your mommy is telling everyone about you. She wants us all to remember you.(And we will.) She wants to give hope and peace to those of us who are seeking hope and peace. (And she has.) Your life touched me Will. It restored my faith in humanity. In doctors. And in nurses. Your life showed me that we can point others to Jesus even in the hardest of times. Thank you Will for fighting so hard. I want to live in your neighborhood in heaven. Much Love From Your Mommy's Camp Lurecrest friend, Angela Conklin #96days96 ways #day9
Following Wills story and especially your journey and thoughts since his death have impacted my sense of peace and how I choose to respond to my children when they are trying. I know it sounds cliche but watching you I have truly been reminded to focus on cultivating love and building intentional relationships and not to rush through any phase of their development because it is momentarily frustrating or difficult. I want to view every moment of their lives as a blessing, one that I understand not everyone gets to experience. Childhood is beautiful. Getting to be a mother to shape and cultivate their growth but also see the love of Christ through a fresh perspective in is one of the greatest joys of my life. Alex Vroon #96days96ways #day8
I want you to know that I prayed for Will and Caroline from the moment we heard you had gone back to the hospital. My heart ached for you. I prayed for your family, for your strength to get through each day, knowing that you still had children at home wanting your attention and the weight of two in the hospital. The exhaustion of having infants and that being compounded by worry and that heartache when you cannot do anything to help your child. I prayed. I would ask Joshua at school how the babies were, and we celebrated when he told me that Caroline had come home. I will never forget when he came into my classroom that morning and told me that “Will is doing so much better, he has gone to heaven, and he is better now.” I felt the world spinning under my feet. I had to sit, I could not teach. What amazing parents you are. I have followed your story and I am awe of you and your strength. What has really changed me through your story and Wills life is watching you constantly point to our Father. As you have endured what I would imagine to be the hardest of trials, you have never stopped praising God and giving him glory. What a remarkable way that you have been able to use this very sad situation to teach others about the love of Christ, Including me. Thank you for sharing your story so boldly. You will be able to give so much to so many through your strength and testimony. I admire you. Thank you for opening up your heart to us. Elizabeth Alexander #96days96ways #day7
I have been thinking about the ways in which Will's little live has changed me recently. After becoming a mom, the gravity of losing a child has been so much more real to me. One of the things Will has taught me is to be grateful for every day (every hour, every second) I have with my baby and to be present with her when I am with her. Will's strength and determination and his fight for life have inspired me. Not only that, but I have been so encouraged by the way that you and Taylor have responded to this tragedy in your life. You have pointed me to Jesus in the way that you have continued to trust and obey him, when it would have been so easy to turn away and live in anger and bitterness. Your lives are a beautiful testament to your faith in the promises of God and His love and faithfulness to your family during this heartbreaking time. So, not only has Will changed me but YOU have as well. I am so thankful for you and for all that you are doing for all of these sweet other babies. I love you! Jessica Morrel #96days96ways #day6
When I first learned about Caroline and Will being sick, fear took hold of me. I had my 3rd baby boy due in January and Courtney and I had walked through some of our pregnancy together. I let my mind get the best of me with thoughts of "well she and the babies were completely healthy", "the big boys will bring something home to the baby", and many other scary ideas. I went as far as keeping the big kids home from school for weeks because I was scared of the flu, viruses or whatever else the 2018 winter had for us. Of course that didn't help, we ended up with the flu in our house as well as cold after cold and a virus hospitalization for the baby. I ran into Courtney's mom one day at pick up and asked her how Will was doing and what I could do for the family. All she told me was PRAY. At that moment I realized that God had been trying to show me that fear is a liar. I looked at Courtney and Taylor and saw how brave they have been, how much they have leaned into the Lord with Will's journey. They have been made an amazing example of faith. Their courage, grace, light, love, sacrifice, with God at the center of it is clear to everyone around. Will's life has taught me that God has a reason, and we don't need to fear. Now Will is healed and in the best place anyone could be. Chloe Wood #96days96ways #day5
Several of us were together and praying for sweet Will when someone mentioned that I was one that could understand a bit more of what my nephew, Taylor, & his wife, Courtney, were going through as my daughter was born premature with a severe birth defect and lived in the NICU for quite some time. I so admire their faith and commitment to being with Will around the clock. That time was precious. It reminds me how many babies in the NICU and PICU never have anyone visit or someone to hold them. Many children are brought to hospitals out of state that can best care for them, and it is so hard on the families. It has inspired me to start volunteering again at our local hospital and to donate more to the Ronald McDonald house. McDonalds started these homes to help families have a place to stay while their children are in the hospital. The need is great and the nurses will tell you that these precious angels do better when they have that personal human touch. God bless you! Love, Aunt Julie Julie Ratkus #96days96ways #day4
Although I didn’t have the opportunity to meet my beautiful, special great grandson, Will, not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. Questions daily— how could this happen? Why? Gone way too soon! Thoughts daily enter my mind. Our family has been so blessed till Will. It seems this is what happens to others, not us! One thing I know for sure—-he was appropriately named. He had so much will power to beat the odds against him. So many times I feared the phone call would come, & so many times he seemed to pull through when there seemed no hope. Throughout all of this, my granddaughter showed such courage, composure, strength & unconditional faith. Taylor & Courtney are amazing parents. They’ve gone through something that no parent should have to experience, & they never had doubt with their faith & God’s plan for Will. I’ve put myself in their shoes many times with thoughts of how I would handle losing a child. I know for a fact, they are remarkably strong. They make me want to be a better person. I know deep down I couldn’t walk in their shoes, & do what they’ve done during this extremely difficult time. Will will live on in all of us. His foundation will continue to help so many children. For 96 days, Will impacted lives all around him & he will continue to do so in all of us. Grammie misses you sweet baby Will, always… Ricki Penna, Will’s Great Grandmother #96days96ways #day3
My second son was born on March 6, the day that Will went home to be with his Father. I remember sitting up late at night trying to feed my hours-old baby, scrolling through Facebook trying to stay awake and I saw Taylor's post, that he'd lost his son that day, just as we'd experienced one of life's greatest joys. I've struggled a lot with anxiety every since becoming a mother, anxiety over their health, safety, their future, their happiness. What I've discovered as I've followed your journey through grief and loss is that the greatest thing I can pray over my boys is that their lives, whatever might pass between birth and death, will glorify God and point others towards Him. Sickness, struggle, danger, etc... these things may all happen, but I know with great certainty that God can be glorified through the most difficult of situations, and I try to rest in that promise for my children. Your son showed me that and I am so thankful for his life. Martha Olsen #96days96ways #day2
Although I did not know Will or Courtney when Will was fighting here on earth, I came to know them both shortly after. Aside from obvious devastation, the loss of a child is incredibly isolating. You hear about it happening to someone, but rarely know someone else close by or even personally beyond online support groups. No one else gets the complicated emotions and feelings that go along with the experience. Courtney’s openness and ability to articulate her experience has been such an immense blessing to me. I HATE that we share this common bond, but love how I can literally relate to every single word she writes in every post she makes. Courtney’s drive to keep Will’s memory alive is helping others going through this not feel alone. I’ve shared posts with my bereaved parents group and often hear “I needed this right now” and gratitude for posting. Beyond finding a comfort in a shared experience, Courtney’s faith and love for Jesus is immensely inspiring. So thank you, sweet Will, for being the most wonderful, beautiful and perfectly made baby boy who forever changed your mama’s heart. I know you are whole in Heaven with my Curry boy and can’t wait to meet you! Caroline Close |
96 WaysThese are the stories of how Will's one life has impacted many. We hope as you read these testimonies you will be encouraged and inspired to use your life to impact those around you as well! Archives
February 2019
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