Today is our Remembrance Day. Yeah, I know that the official Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day for our American family, is a couple of days hence. But today, November 9 is Judy and my Remembrance Day.
On this day in 1979 we were in Rochester, Minnesota. Our third son, Jeremy John Mooney was in emergency surgery at the Mayo Clinic in an attempt to correct a serious congenital heart defect. The surgery was long and very complicated. It was only the third such surgery attempted at the famed Mayo Clinic. The previous two had not ended well. The challenge was exacerbated by the tiny size of Jeremy's heart. Jeremy was only four months old and weighed just a little over his birth weight of slightly under 7 pounds.
The surgery was successful. They were bringing Jeremy from the operating room to the intensive care recovery area. We were waiting...and waiting. Finally the door burst open at the end of the hall and a stretcher rushed by with an entire crew of medical people running along, surrounding it. Our thankfulness and excitement were at a peak. Jeremy was alive. He had survived surgery. We waited...and waited...and waited. Our excitement began to be overshadowed by anxiety. Finally a very solemn looking doctor entered our room.
Although the surgery had been successful and they were able to restart Jeremy's tiny heart after surgery his heart had stopped during the transfer to recovery. They had been successful at a second restart in the intensive care recovery area but his heart was just too weak and it stopped again. This time they couldn't get it to restart.
So today we remember. Everyday we remember. But today we remember in earnest. We have some incredibly painful memories but we don't dwell on the darkness of that time. We remember that because it happened and is part of us. Thankfully the pain of that agony has faded.
We prefer to focus our memory on the beauty of our little son. We remember the excitement of his arrival. His delicate features. His incredible personality. His bright eyes and amazing smile. We remember the love and support we were showered with by our family, church and friends. We have incredibly warm and touching memories. They are never far from the surface. But today they are there.
Sorry for the digression from the excitement of the new grandchildren. We have been so blessed in our family. We will get back to more happy stuff....but today is Remembrance Day.
An Exciting Day
5 years ago
3 comments:
that was beautiful...thanks for sharing
Mom & Dad...
Over the past 28 Mooney Remembrance Days, we kids have never really given much acknowledgement to the occasion. This 29th year is a little different though. Having now experienced the immense love that comes with being a parent and, of course, the pain of Drew's recent death, we find ourselves reflecting on Jeremy with you. Though we can never fully understand the enormity of your feelings and all that you went through, we do extend all our love and hugs to you on this very special day.
Love James, Nicola & Maggie
Thanks for sharing that Jack. I was thinking about you guys. I've never heard it from your perspective and I'm so glad now that we have. I often think about what it must have been like to go through that. I've always been inspired with the strength you've both showed when talking about it and it's been a great example for us, during our tougher times. Thanks again for opening up about Jeremy. We wish he was here too.
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