Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Hangtime on September 10, 2008, 01:17:01 PM
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Dropped into another thread.. but likely missed by most here:
I just got the word that my wife is coming home. She's been in Liberia the last 6 weeks where she used her nursing skills to teach and work in a little hospital called Phebe, in the middle of nowhere.
She went because she couldn't stand the thought of being home for the third anniversary of our son and daughter dying in the car crash. She felt like the best way to fight back was to try and make a difference in the world. Over that time she saw all kinds of things we in the US don't see. Lots of death and dying, starvation, horrible burns and accidents, children dying etc. She worked her tail off. Her grief fueled her desire to help. on our wedding Anniversary, August 20th a 4 day old baby was brought to the hospital with a double cleft lip and pallete. My wife spent time trying to help the mother learn to care for the little boy. But that family's faith told them that evil spirits had changed the baby causing the deformity and tradition would have them kill the child. They were talked out of that, but then disappeared. The little boy being left at the hospital. My wife went into the room where the babies were and saw a local nurse giving the baby water. She asked why not formula? The nurse replied the hospital didn't have any and they were just keeping the baby's tummy full of water til he died.
The easiest thing to do would be to not get involved. This gal I married, despite the grief, is not wired that way. The doctors say the only way the baby lives is if you take him. So she did. 24/7 for the last three weeks, she's fed him through a nasal tube, kept him clean, warm, spent sleepless nights as he fought pneumonia, all the while working the adoption in Liberia that now gives us a son, Matthew David Johnson. August 28th, the worst day of our lives, she's alone with Matthew, and they bond. She cries for Andy and Chris and for this little guy whose had such a rough start, but still has a chance. The last week and a half it's been fighting the US imigration folks to let her bring him home so we can get him taken care of. It's amazing how many hoops one must jump through to save a baby.
With luck I get to meet my son on Thursday.
I don't tell the story looking for praise or attaboys. I use it as an example of the Good Samaritan. I'm very proud of my gal, as there was never ever any question that she'd do what she did, but too many folks would have walked to either side and avoided the challenges that we will now face raising this little boy.
I do believe Cathy's actions were a greater sign of faith and love, then anything someone could say or any bible story one could tell. She didn't do it because she was a 'Christian" or because of her religion. She did it, because it's what good people do, without question. You help if you can and you treat people as well as you can.
One of the offshoots of this is that we both have had to look at our faith again, as the timing of it all feels strange. She bonds with Matthew on the anniversary of two of her kids dying. She'll be home on what would have been Christina's 19th birthday and it forces our live in another direction that includes me changing diapers again after 19 years. I can't wait to get started :)
Outstanding.. my congratulations and admiration to you both! This just made my day.
<S!>
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Good things do happen to good people. Lovely to read this!
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Hehe he's not gonna come down from that one for a while yet :)
Grats again, Dan.
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Yup.. folks like this make me proud to walk upright. Humanity, Humility, and Courage. Hope more folks recognize these good folks.. and congratulate them on their new son.
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Guppy that is just simply outstanding.
Congrats and please give my best wishes to your wife.
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Yes, that's quite a story and I'm very proud to know a person like Dan.
<S> Dan and Cathy
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Damn, and here I thought I'd won the Wife Lottery. Sounds like you have a great partner in life, Gup. Good luck with your new kid!
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:salute
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:salute Dan, WTG
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Makes me proud to know you Dan. :salute
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I always figured Dan was a class act all around.
Frankly, I can't even imagine loosing a child, not to mention two at once. I can't imagine handling it at all, not to mention with the grace and strength he has shown.
Congratulations
Charon
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Wow!
That's wonderful
Thanks Dan and Cathy :salute
gusman44
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Dan
Congrats...
In this last February we celebrated our girls 6th and 7th birthdays.... we got them at 16 months and 9 months...time has flown.. I remember thinking that I was way too old to change diapers again..to make sure the oldest finally learns to walk.. to make sure that they would eat so that their malnourished bodies would attempt to catch up to the rest of the kids in the neighborhood so that they wern't always sick and frail..
They both played Soccer this year, they are at normal to above average on academic levels testing, they make me laugh every day... they get in trouble every day just like other kids... they make me laugh...I still am tired every night ..helping with homework... Some nights I feel older than dirt... They make me laugh everyday
My wife and I lost a son, we had a house.. we were emergency care foster parents for infants to toddler age, and we adopted them because we needed them in our lives permanently.. we are lucky people, the girls make us laugh
Have fun laughing
Some days you feel 10 years older
Most days you feel 10 years younger
Its great for him that you and your wife made this decision, but I know you and your wife got the best part of the deal
:aok
NwBie
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Very happy to hear this finally came through, Dan :)
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I wonder if that makes him Corky III?
Thanks all. The world works in strange ways sometimes, and things happen you least expect. As I mentioned, my youngest daughter would turn 19 tomorrow if she'd lived. My son would be 25 this year. My surviving daughter will turn 22. In some ways I'm raising a child and my grandchild too. My wife is supermom so I think we'll be fine. It will be interesting, strange, fun to do this all again after almost 20 years.
My wife on the day the adoption in Liberia was final, September 1. She's looking like she's been out in the African bush for the past month, which she had been. That's Matthew.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/CathnMatt.jpg)
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That's a very nice story. I hope baby Matthew grows up happy since he's already blessed enough to be saved. Any plans on when to start work on the corrective surgery? That can't be cheap, and I admit it's none of my business but I wonder how someone would go about getting the $$$ for surgery that is essential but damned expensive.
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True example of love and courage.
Good luck with the new one.
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Some coincidence.. Adopted Sep 1st and named Matthew, just like me.
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That's a very nice story. I hope baby Matthew grows up happy since he's already blessed enough to be saved. Any plans on when to start work on the corrective surgery? That can't be cheap, and I admit it's none of my business but I wonder how someone would go about getting the $$$ for surgery that is essential but damned expensive.
Our insurance should cover it. There is a group that operates out of the U of M that specializes in cleft pallate stuff as part of Operation Smile. Ironically they were at the same hospital in Liberia in January. They couldn't figure out why they saw so few cleft kids. The lead doctor is willing to take care of Matt. so I think it will be ok
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Our insurance should cover it. There is a group that operates out of the U of M that specializes in cleft pallate stuff as part of Operation Smile. Ironically they were at the same hospital in Liberia in January. They couldn't figure out why they saw so few cleft kids. The lead doctor is willing to take care of Matt. so I think it will be ok
Check your PM's.
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Well, I have goosbumps and crying. :cry What a great story. I lost a son twelve years ago and a day never goes by that I don't think of him. I am blessed with two other boys that are great. God Bless all three of you. It is stories like this one that brings you back to reality. :aok
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Congrats :salute
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Congratulations Corky! Fantastic story :salute
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Its people like Guppy and his wife that give me strength that the world can work out its problems. The strength of the human spirit can be awsome to behold. :salute To two fantastic people.
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That's great Guppy. Glad to hear life is smiling on ya for a change. :)
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:salute
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Outstanding read Dan. Thanks for sharing that one and I know that you will be well taken care of in whatever happens. If you guys need anything I don't know what I can do other than add you guys to the good vibes, prayer list and help that way. God Bless you, your wife and your new son.
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:salute
Wtg Mr and Mrs Guppy
Wurzel
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I'm so happy for you both; congratulations on your new son! I admire you both and am proud to even be distantly associated. Keep us updated please.
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You are one heck of couple. The best of luck to you :salute
If you ever hop over my little island in summer, I reserve for you. You have a free stay.
(B & B)
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Congrats to both of you Dan. Best Wishes for a successful operation and happiness for all of you.
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I wonder if that makes him Corky III?
Thanks all. The world works in strange ways sometimes, and things happen you least expect. As I mentioned, my youngest daughter would turn 19 tomorrow if she'd lived. My son would be 25 this year. My surviving daughter will turn 22. In some ways I'm raising a child and my grandchild too. My wife is supermom so I think we'll be fine. It will be interesting, strange, fun to do this all again after almost 20 years.
My wife on the day the adoption in Liberia was final, September 1. She's looking like she's been out in the African bush for the past month, which she had been. That's Matthew.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/CathnMatt.jpg)
Tremendous, wonderful! Something that REALLY matters.
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This is wonderful new Dan and family. Congratulations and warmest wishes to you all!
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Really a touching and beautiful thing, Dan. Way to go. I admire your wife's strength.
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:salute and congratulations to you both.
I surely hope & pray the government waives all the weeks & weeks of paperwork.
Trust me, changing diapers comes back like riding a bike...soon you will have that pitstop down to :45 seconds again.
ROX
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:salute Its people like you and your wife that make this world a much better place. Congrats on the newest addition to your family
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My wife and little boy got home tonite around 7PM. The little guy is asleep in his crib about 4 feet from me. My wife is asleep in our room. It's a very relieved and relaxed husband and father that sits in the rocking chair listening to his new son breath. He's a beautiful little boy.
Thank you all for the good wishes.
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My wife and little boy got home tonite around 7PM. The little guy is asleep in his crib about 4 feet from me. My wife is asleep in our room. It's a very relieved and relaxed husband and father that sits in the rocking chair listening to his new son breath. He's a beautiful little boy.
Thank you all for the good wishes.
Wow...Dan, I hope you and yours all find the happiness you do truly deserve. :salute
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My wife and little boy got home tonite around 7PM. The little guy is asleep in his crib about 4 feet from me. My wife is asleep in our room. It's a very relieved and relaxed husband and father that sits in the rocking chair listening to his new son breath. He's a beautiful little boy.
Thank you all for the good wishes.
Outstanding news Dan. :)
Keep us posted on how things go. :)
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I'm so happy for you both! I can't believe they are home already. Keep us updated; I want to hear about it when he takes his first steps, says da da, etc.
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Beautiful baby boy congrats to you and your wife Dan :salute
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Well Matt went to the doctor today and the ended up admitting him as he's a month old and only 6 pounds 6 ounces. They heard a heart murmer too, but that appears to be nothing, It's good in that we know the folks who ware going to help with the surgeries. Both the doctors also happened to have done a trip to the same Liberian hospital where my wife worked so they know the environment Matt came into and they want to make sure that the best is done by this little guy getting a chance at life.
Just to share. My daugher Dani falling in love with her little brother, and vice versa. He loves to stare at her and she's totally devoted to him.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/DaniMatt.jpg)
And mighty Matt, the little guy finally in some decent clothes laying down on a blanket in his own room at home. A far different world then he was born into, thats for sure. He's a fantastic little boy and he's my son. I really like that :)
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Matthew2.jpg)
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Just to share. My daugher Dani falling in love with her little brother, and vice versa. He loves to stare at her and she's totally devoted to him.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/DaniMatt.jpg)
Yeah, she has his attention :D
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Outstanding Dan, outstanding. :rock :)
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Right thing your wife have done.
Should be more people like her.