Because of You~Moving Forward

Passey Family Reunion
June 2015

It has been a year since "Saying Goodby Too Soon" was posted on this blog.
 Reading back through it's hard to believe that a year has gone by and in some ways, it feels like a lifetime ago.
 The journey has been tough, the lessons life changing but through it all support came pouring in.
 The Genealogy Community being one of our families biggest supporters both emotionally and financially.
  From generously giving to Reagan's Go Fund Me account, sending messages of love and support as we spent weeks at a time out of town for surgeries, radiation and chemo to understanding my need to continue my genealogy pursuits to have an outlet, you all have been such help in our journey.

After first surgery at Duke
April 2015

  This past year has been full of pain, fear, stress, exhaustion, and grief as well as fun, joy, and faith. While we watched our sweet 13-year-old, slowly lose his ability to walk, talk and care for himself we were blessed to make forever memories and enjoy our last 7 months together.

Disney Make A Wish Trip
August 2015

 We did say goodbye too soon; Reagan passed away on 4 November 2015. It hasn't been an easy last 5 months. He donated his body to science so without a body to bury we had a memorial service.
 A cremation burial still lies ahead.

My question in my post last year was "How did they go on?"
 Now I know.They had their family, church and community support. We have the same.

Thank you, dear Genealogy Community. Because of all you have done and continue to do, moving forward is hard but doable.

Reagan Blake Passey
25 June 2002-4 November 2015

Cheri

Saying Goodbye Too Soon

  Like most of you, I have women in my family tree who had to live through the loss of one or more of their children.
  My paternal Grandmother, Mary Baker Hudson (1920-2910) buried a baby girl who only lived a few hours.
 

Grave of the Infant Daughter of
 Benjamin Allen Hudson (1918-1976) and Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010)
Sumter Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina 

Azile Juanita (Daughrity) Roberts Sullivan (1921-2009), my maternal Grandmother received a phone call that no mother wants to get as she learned of the death of her grown son, Gilbert Earnest Roberts, Jr. (1944-1999).

Grave of Gilbert Ernest Roberts, Jr.
Quaker Cemetery, Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina

Paternal Great Grandmother, Beulah Mae (Price) Roberts (1897-1980), survived 6 of her 12 children. Three dying in infancy and three dying in WWII.

Funeral of Roberts Brother's Killed in WWII

 Frances Virginia (McRady) McManus (1856-1903), Great Great Grandmother on my maternal side, buried her twin girls a month apart and then went on to lose two more of her children and a beloved grandchild.

Death Notice of Grandson Amos
Sumter Southron and Watchman, 9 April, 1902

  This list goes on and on as one goes back in time. Their stories sad and heartbreaking. As these life experiences are discovered my heart reaches out to them wondering how they kept going, How did the mundane tasks of every day get done?  How did they go on?

 These questions I am now asking of myself. For you see, as of this past weekend, I am joining the ranks of women who have been faced with the enormous trial of losing a child. My 12-year-old son has been diagnosed with a brain stem tumor.
 Cancer. Inoperable. Terminal.

 With the great examples before me, I will go on. There are others to take care of including myself. A child to show a lifetime of love to and make memories with.

 Wonderful family and friends will be there to support and sustain me in what will be one of the hardest trials any parent can face.
 Learning how to say goodbye too soon.

Cheri