Heaven Is For Real

Yesterday was a day we will never forget.

Sydney came down to the hospital with me.  Her concussion symptoms seem to be improving and no new strange tremors have appeared, but she needed another day to recover.  We had talked in the morning about how we needed to postpone her birthday sleepover party to "keep her body safe"... no running, jumping, dancing, or being crazy.  She took the news surprisingly well, but definitely had birthday on the brain.

My friend Lyne' and the Nurses helped keep her busy with art projects.  She declared a few days ago she was going to "cover Jenson's room in art".  Mission accomplished. 

I prayed one of my only prayers of the day, "God not that I feel like you are listening to any of my prayers right now, but I pray Jenson will not pass tomorrow (Wednesday) on Sydney's birthday or on any other family members birthday."  This is a big birthday week for us - my dad's birthday Monday, Sydney's Wednesday, my mom's Thursday, and my sister-in-laws on Friday.

My sweet boy continued snuggling with his mommy all day.  It felt good to rest my face on his warm head and hold his hand.  He seemed more at peace but didn't open his eyes like the day before.  I made sure to remind him when Jesus comes for him it is okay to go, and that Grandpa Aaron (Doug's dad that died when Doug was 1) would be waiting to greet him.

Late in the afternoon, his breathing pattern changed and I knew it was coming soon.  Sydney had sat down to snack on some Fritos next to Lyne' while Nurse Ryann changed an unexpected diaper for Jenson.

I looked at Jenson as he stopped breathing for several seconds.  He then opened his eyes and looked towards Sydney.  I said, "Sydney, I think he wants you to get in bed and snuggle with him."  She replied back, "Can I eat my Fritos first?".  I quickly said, "No, you need to get in bed now."  She climbed into his bed and grabbed his hand.

I then grabbed the book "Heaven is For Real (for kids)" which Jenson received from LCH Warrior Trip.  I sat on the other side of his bed holding his hand while I read the book to him.  I was holding back my emotions on each page as Jenson peacefully did his best to take a few more breaths.

I read aloud, "One of the most wonderful things about heaven is that no one ever gets sick or hurt there".  I couldn't hold the tears back anymore as I put my head down on his bed.  He then took his final breaths and went to be with Jesus in heaven.

Nurse Ryann finished reading the book as Sydney and I sat each holding one of Jenson's hands.

Jenson died and went to heaven.

Lyne' took Sydney to find some fun things to do outside the room.  Doug arrived at the hospital with his best friend Geronimo and wept as he hugged his departed boy.  Grandparents and Uncle Brent arrived and also said a final good-bye.

Our pastor Chris and his wife Tatum got to the hospital just as Jenson's grandparents were leaving.  Tatum sat next to me on the couch in Jenson's room as I told her what happened.  I flipped to the page of "Heaven is for Real (for kids)" and showed her exactly what I was reading when he passed.  I then looked down at the picture for the first time.

The illustration captures an image of a little blond boy in heaven dressed in white wearing a red sash.  It looks just like Jenson used to look with hair.  He is holding the hand of a grown man.  When I looked up at the man, I noticed something astonishing...the man looks just like Doug's departed Dad (down to the ears that stick out).

I sat there in awe looking at an image of my little boy in heaven holding the hand of his Grandpa Aaron.  When I showed the picture to Doug, the first thing he said was, "That man looks like my Dad".

God gave us a gift in our pain of a visual image of our little boy in heaven.  I will forever treasure it.

The funeral to honor Jenson's amazing life will be sometime on Monday.

Kristin