The Miracle of the 7 year Journey
Our journey began 7 ½ years ago in January. Owen was brought by many angels to join our family. I don’t think any of us ever felt worthy of Owen but he sure blessed our lives and will continue to. He was given a special blessing by Elder L. Tom Perry while at Primary Children’s and in his blessing we were told he would surprise us all. He definitely lived up to it! Seven years ago today, we brought Owen home to Cokeville.
Not many believed in Owen, his frail little body wouldn’t last long, we were told. Owen gave us a different vibe. We felt like he had a divine purpose her on this Earth. We began to build ‘Owen’s team’ while he was at Primary’s, this team quickly found their way into our hearts and our family. Our family more than doubled when Owen was born. We got 7 ½ precious years with Owen because of his team. Dr. Chan was one of his first teammates. I call him my ray of sunshine. He was sent to watch over Owen in the hospital and I will always be grateful for his time, love, support and advice. Without him Owen wouldn’t have made it home. Owen’s team carried him for his whole life and we love them. His team never stopped growing.
Even though Owen could not speak, he showed us what he loved. We were often asked how Owen communicated and we would reply by telling them to sit by him for 5 minutes and they would shortly find out. His eyes, smiles and facial expression were amazing. We were blessed by them in many ways. Most children like Owen lose their smile, but Owen’s only grew stronger with time. Just another tender mercy sent by the Lord.
He was a light in our home and will truly be missed! He loved to get in his stroller and go for a ride in the van to softball and football games. We tried to have has many adventures as we dared with him. He loved everything about them except for wind and bugs! He didn’t like to be in his stroller in the house but his eyes would light up when we told him we were going for a ride.
He loved his therapists when they came, he was blessed to have all good therapists and he loved them! They all treated him as though he was a favorite. He would work so hard for them and even had his own way of teasing sometimes too! He looked forward to them coming and would sometimes skip his nap to make sure he didn’t miss them. It was fun to see him use his eyes to tell us what he wanted. It was even more fun to watch him tease someone! He was smart and when things were a little too easy with the therapists he would trick them by either looking at the wrong choice and then smiling or just simply look somewhere else like he wasn‘t paying attention.
Once we started with facetime for preschool and story time and then primary and kindergarten he always looked forward to that. His eyes would light up when I would get him ready. He started waking up extra early to make sure he didn’t miss it. He always smiled and enjoyed when his classmates would wave and say ‘hi Owen’. Even though most of the time the classmates were gone before they could see his smile. He loved when they would read to him. He loved every bit of facetime.
He loved to interact with people but was always cautious with new people. We were always a little cautious or terrified of sickness so we mainly stuck to outdoor events. We did make a few exceptions over the years and the last exception we made was going to Owen’s Kindergarten program and letting him be part of it. We are so thankful we made that one!
He loved being held! He loved attention and being sung too. He loved coloring or playing on the ipad. He loved his lights and Christmas lights and I am sure his Dad will have some glowing for him for Christmas this year. He loved his music. He mainly loved primary songs, they would make a terrible day better in no time. If he wasn’t feeling well that’s what he wanted most, next to being held.
Owen’s doctor talked us into letting him ‘Make-a-Wish’. He chose his wish with his eyes and loved every second of it! It was truly a blessed week for him. He was happy the entire week we were gone. I am pretty sure he knew it was all about him.
Our journey with Owen was blessed by many of you. Family and friends would tell me often how they pray for Owen and our family every night. In fact, I believe he was still baby Owen in many homes.
Our prayers were answered so many times. We were told Owen would spend most of each winter in the hospital with pneumonia and never once was he hospitalized for sickness after being released to come home. We have you to thank for being diligent in your prayers on our behalf. We prayed that he might stay happy and comfortable until he returned to heaven and again another prayer was answered. Many times we were blessed with heavenly hands in crisis with Owen. He was in the Lord’s hands and we witnessed it several times.
Owen changed my life for the better, it came with heartache but I hope I will always remember and cherish the lessons he taught. He is a valiant servant of the Lord and has only returned to keep up the work. I know he is hard at work but will always keep watch over us.
He was called courageous by a dear friend who was learning to change his trach and I couldn’t agree with her more. He is my hero. He was courageous in many ways and endured things by having faith in us to take care of him while on his earthly journey. We were told many negative things about prolonging his life with a trach and vent but I wouldn’t trade the last 7 ½ years for anything. He gives me hope and taught me to have more faith in my Heavenly Father and to trust in His will even when things look bleak. He taught me that I can do hard things. He taught me to be grateful and not complain. Owen touched anyone who came into his life. Owen was a courageous fighter and fought until his body could no longer keep up.
I will never forget his eyes and smiles! They were the highlight of my day. He could light up a room with the slightest smile and his eyes were full of love and even a little mischievous sometimes but they were sure to make someone‘s day. He loved looking at things and if he loved something it was supposed to stay put. If I ever had to move something or wanted to change what he looked at, I quickly found I had to do it while he was turned the other way because he would cry if he saw me moving his things.
He was loved by many and he loved many. He had so many wonderful people in his life so many that made sacrifices to either help take care of him or go out of their way to come visit him. He blessed our lives in too many ways to count and changed our lives forever. Owen had a way of touching anyone who came in contact with him. He had such a special spirit that surrounded him. I am sure that is a little bit of what heaven feels like. I’m sure he is right at home now, even though we are left with broken hearts.
I know I will see our boys again, it is possible, it is up to me to get back to them. To strive to live a life worthy of being with them again. I know my Savior lives and loves me. I know that this church is true because it gives me the hope, faith and strength that I need to endure this life. I know that with my Heavenly Father I can do anything. I will always miss Owen and Landry but I know in my heart that they live on still and are not far away. I will see them again, this is not the end.
Thank you Owen for the wonderful journey, it will never be forgotten and neither will you!
