Oliver

My heart is feeling so sad as I think of what my best friend and her husband are going through right now.  Their little boy, that they love so dearly is fading away.  Oliver was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease in April of this year, and a just a few months later, this horrible horrible disease is taking his life.  It's just hard to believe that nine months ago they didn't even know what was going on in his little body.  They knew something wasn't right, but I am not sure anyone could be prepared for what a diagnosis of Tay-Sachs means.

It has been an interesting journey.  I have done my best to be there for Karen in the last months when she needed an ear to listen.  We have had some really crazy conversations about death and funerals about mourning and grief and about moving on after Oliver is gone.  I can't begin to imagine the pain of losing a child and I have a lot of respect for Karen's perseverance in making sure that Oliver is well looked after.

If you are reading this, please say a prayer for Karen, Levi and Aurelia.  I want to share a video of Oliver that Karen had posted to YouTube when Oliver was 18 months old.  This video makes me smile.  His happy giggles just warm my heart, and you can see how much he adores his big sister.