Delivering Stuffed Animals

Thank you to all of the wonderful people that donated the 413 stuffed animals at Nathan's Memorial Service.  We had the privilege of going with the Children's Ministers from Monterey Church of Christ, who organized the donations of the stuffed animals, to Covenant Women's and Children's Hospital Tuesday to deliver the stuffed animals.  They were given to one of the  Child Life Specialists named Amy.  After recruiting helpers and a cart who took the majority of them to the storage room to be sorted and organized, we took a few to the pediatric floor to deliver.  It was so wonderful to see the impact that Nathan had on so many people who so graciously bought the 413 stuffed animals.  Then we got to see the other side of that impact because of Nathan and all of the generous people, children at the hospital will get a new stuffed animal to hopefully brighten their day. 

We have been asked more than once how could we have done that so close to his passing and be so happy and calm.  I can give you two explanations. First, without God's peace from your prayers it would never have been possible.  Second, the hospital even throughout the many ups and downs, will always hold wonderful memories of Nathan smiling bigger than I ever saw again with Nurse Keri when she visited in October '09 when we were in pedi.  The wonderful nurses and doctors who so lovingly took care of Nathan and us those first 9 weeks in NICU.  The PICU nurses, doctors, and Hospice who helped us through the realization that Nathan would only be with us a short while.  The amazing pedi nurses that were willing to take on Nathan as a patient even though they fully understood what a Hospice patient that had come for his last days meant.  Those last few days held many happy memories with friends filling that room and showing their support.  Then those moments watching the family get to spend time with him.  Jacen so lovingly telling Nathan bye bye and "wuv you".  Finally, Kyle and I were allowed to spend time just the three us to read to, sing to, watch movies with, snuggle with, and hold Nathan tight. I will also never forget Mozelle who told me one of the last days in the hospital that until Nathan has touched the last person that he is supposed to touch God won't take him home.  So I know that Nathan touched every life that he was supposed to touch here on this earth.

Two of the most wonderful people that I know volunteer at Covenant.  They are Ken and Shirley Castle who also teach Jacen on Sunday mornings at church.  They actually teach one of our baby classes 9 months out of the year, every year.  They have a heart and a gift for children.  Jacen immediately wanted Shirley when we got to the hospital.

Stephanie, Kyle, Jacen, and Child Life Specialist Amy

Shauna and Christi (Monterey Children's Ministers) and Amy

Loading up the Many Animals

Delivering stuffed animals to patients.