Six Degrees of Seperation

If the first thing that popped into your head after reading this blog title was Kevin Bacon, well...you're kinda on the right track. When you remove the Hollywood glamour (a.k.a. eliminate Kevin Bacon from the equation) and think about it in more of a real life application, it's actually pretty amazing! Per Wikipedia, "the six degrees of separation is a theory that everyone in this world is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps."

Today marks eight months since Jacob earned his angel wings. After I got off work, Kelly and I had a special visit with Jakey at the cemetery and for the first time since November, the 15th wasn't such a difficult day for me. That was until I got home to open the mail and read the recent newsletter from the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation, which basically hit me like a ton of bricks. I was flipping through the pages and saw my little man's sweet face amongst all the other brave NPD kiddos, whose families and friends have pulled together despite the most difficult of circumstances, to fundraise for research and cures for this devastating disease. I actually felt proud for a moment to see that so many people we know are helping to make a difference in the fight against the disease we despise! Then I turned to page 2 of the newsletter and saw Jacob's name, as well as several of our littlest of friends listed under a section titled "Memorials" -- queue tears and heart being pulled from my chest and stomped on, yet again!

Unfortunately, this is my reality. I live it every day, over and over. I never know if hearing Jacob's name or looking at his picture might bring a great big smile or trigger tears. What I do know, is that I never want people to forget about the incredible little boy that Jacob was and how many lives he touched in just two short years.

The other day, I was pleasantly reminded of the great impact Jake had on the hearts of others, when I received a message from my cousin. My cousin Mattie is spending her summer in Belgium running youth services/programs through Camp Adventure, which is an internship program that sends college students to work with military children on military bases throughout the world. Mattie is absolutely amazing with kids and is currently studying to be a teacher, so this program is a perfect fit for her. I know she's having a wonderful adventure herself as she's been traveling to nearby countries on her days off. While on one of her weekend adventures, she met another youngster who recognized her Joy of Jacob wristband because she has one too! Say what!?! Mind you, Mattie is on the other side of the WORLD right now! How could someone have possibly recognized one of Jacob's wristbands? Insert...six degrees of separation theory!!

Our world is truly small at times. It turns out that the other youngster is also partaking in the Camp Adventure program at a base in Germany, but lives in Chico, California where I went to college...and...she just happens to know one of my good friends (and college roomie). Crazy, right!?!

Needless to say, I'm still incredibly touched to know that Jake continues to make a difference in the lives of others and helped my cousin make a new friend all the way on the other side of the world.

Mattie holding Jakey on Christmas 2011

Never doubt just how special you are or the difference you can make in this world!! Love you little man!

Jake's Happy Place

After Jacob earned his angel wings, Josh and I decided that we really wanted to do something extra special in memory of our Jakey boy. It didn't take me long to figure out exactly what that extra special thing would be. About two weeks ago, my idea became a reality and I'm so proud to share with everyone...Jake's "happy place"!!

We had a stone bench, a beautiful redwood tree (Jake's favorite), and a metal plaque placed at the Mountain View Park near our house in memory of our little man. The bench is placed near the big play structure overlooking the grassy area and Brandon Borman Courage Field. It's also placed right along a path that connects our home to Jake's grandparent's (my parents) who live on the other side of the park. We get to drive by and see it from a distance every single day. Perfect, huh?



Jakey's plaque -- located between the tree and the bench for everyone walking by to see.

Jake's bench and redwood tree. We've been diligently watering it because we want to make sure it grows big and strong, so it can be around for years to come and be a hide-and-seek spot, as well as offer shade to those sitting nearby. 

This park holds so many wonderful memories for us; memories shared with Jake. We used to take Jake on walks in the stroller around the park all the time...seriously, I'm sure he and I have hundreds of miles looped around that park! Even on tough days when Jakey wasn't feeling too well, I knew I could take him for a walk in the fresh air for him to kick his legs and he would let out his signature raptor laugh, as we strolled along checking out the trees and watching kids play.

There were lots of firsts at this park too. We took Jake for his very first ride on the swing and he had his first trip down the "big boy" slide. Jake took a spin on his tricycle around the grassy field. He and I sat on the bench at the ball field on his very first Easter and watched everyone play our annual family softball game. It's also the very same park where we held his super-fun storybook themed 1st birthday party!!

Riding around on his new red trike.

The little man's 1st birthday party. Despite the grumpy face, he really had a great day...he was just wayyyy over having his picture taken.

It's important for me to share that the Brandon Borman Courage Field is actually dedicated in memory of another incredibly special boy who also touched the hearts of so many! Brandon played Pee-Wee baseball with my brothers for years before being diagnosed with brain cancer and his family members are very dear friends. In fact, Brandon's mom, Terri is a nurse at Children's Hospital and was so incredibly supportive in our journey with Jacob. I have always respected and admired Terri, but now I have a greater appreciation and understanding as to why people (like Brandon and Terri) are put into our lives for certain reasons. I used to pass by the ball field on our way to/from the park and I'd always tell Jakey about how amazing and inspiring he was, just like Brandon. I have often been comforted in knowing that Jake has so many wonderful angels with him up in Heaven and I know Brandon is one of them.

As you can tell, we have so many happy memories with Jake at this park and this really is a happy place that we can share with everyone!

Kelly Joy sitting on brother's bench. I love how she's staring at me like..."really, Momma, you're gonna let me sit on this bench all by myself?" Don't worry, I had a spotter close by for extra safety.

Miss you so much little man!! xoxoxo

A special thanks to some very kind-hearted people from the City of Martinez who made this happen...you know who you are : )

You Are My SONshine

You Are My Sunshine
My only sunshine.
You make me happy
When skies are grey.
You'll never know, dear,
How much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away

The other nite, dear,
As I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms.
When I awoke, dear,
I was mistaken
And I hung my head and cried.

It's been six months since I last got to hold my sweet boy in my arms. I miss Jakey with every little bit of my heart. It's so hard to believe that six months have passed. Six months seems like such a long time, yet the time seems to have passed by so quickly. When you consider that six months is roughly one-quarter of Jacob's lifetime, it just makes me sad. Jake should still be here. Regardless of the time that has passed, Jake is still on my mind every day from the moment the sun rises and throughout the day, until I lay my head on the pillow to sleep at night.

Over the past five and a half months (since Jakey's sister was born), I've had many occasions where I've searched the depths of my "mommy brain" to come up with some nursery rhyme or song to sing to little miss Kelly. Of course, "You Are My Sunshine" has popped into my head in several instances, but I can never quite get the words out without getting teary. Such bittersweet words. This song is actually quite the opposite of bright, beautiful and happy -- words I associate with the sun. It makes me think of my little man. Jacob is the sun; my SON, who is, and always will be a bright light in my life even though I can no longer hold him in my arms. Even on the saddest of days, like today; it makes me so happy to picture his precious face and remember our joyful times together. I miss kissing those sweet cheekies of his and gazing into his big brown eyes.

When I think of Jake, I prefer a much sunnier song that helps me to remember him in such a wonderful way! I think I've written about Jakey's song enough that most people should know it by now..."Here Comes the Sun". As a matter of fact, in the last week I received two very special gifts about this very memorable song.

1. A lovely mother, who I was connected with via another one of the NPA babies, has been following Jacob's blog for a while now. Last week she sent me the sweetest video clip from a children's performance she attended with the song "Here Comes the Sun," along with a note saying she was thinking of Jacob and our family. That message brightened my day!!

2. A co-worker of Josh's step-dad told him about these beautiful wind chimes that she had seen, which were coincidentally made by a company called "JACOB'S MUSICAL CHIMES!" I'm not kidding!! Long story short, Josh's Mom and step-dad Paul tracked down this company and bought us the most absolutely perfect wind chime, which they had customized just for Jakey. They placed one at the cemetery with Jake and gave us another one, which is prominently displayed on our front porch alongside a special tree that was given to us after Jacob earned his angel wings.



Here Comes the Sun wind chime. If you look closely, you can see the reflection of a hummingbird garden stake that we have near Jake. I didn't even notice it, until after I took the picture. I'll save the hummingbird story for another day.  

Love you and miss you everyday little man!! 

A Mother's Love

Today is a day to celebrate the amazing mommas in our lives -- Happy Mother's Day!! Sending special thoughts to all the mothers who have lost a child, especially to those having their first Mother's Day without their precious little ones. This is not an easy day...I know. I miss my Jakey boy so very much!!!

Today, I'm grateful for my sweet kiddos. Jacob and Kelly have brought such immense joy into my life, taught me countless life lessons, and gave me the opportunity to feel what it's like to love unconditionally. Becoming a mom was the moment when I found true happiness. I have experienced a love so deep that I wonder how my heart is even big enough to hold it all!

Motherhood has opened up my worldview and allowed (often forcing) me to experience emotions more fully than I ever thought possible -- joy, love, affection, empathy, anger, fear, courage, hope, envy, compassion, heartache, grief. Out of all these emotions, nothing quite compares to a mother's love for her child -- a love that knows no limits. For the mothers like me, who's hopes, dreams and lives have been forever changed because they have/had a beautiful child with special needs; we ride this emotional roller coaster daily.

Despite being given the most devastating news possible [Jacob's NPD diagnosis], I chose not to dwell on an uncertain future, but rather focused on the present because every minute with Jacob was a gift. That's not to say that things weren't difficult, even with everything I experienced with Jacob; I was able to find the joy in each and every day. Jacob was a true joy in my life -- he still is.

I really never knew how I'd be able to go on in life without being a mom, which is why Josh and I chose to have another baby. I have been blessed with Kelly, who has given me a second chance to raise a child and to enjoy all the "firsts" without fear that they'll soon be lasts. I get to be a 'mommy', which is the only thing I've ever truly wanted in my life. Having Kelly does not take away the pain of losing Jake, but she has brought joy back into my life during a time where it felt like everything else had been taken away. Kelly gives me at least a hundred reasons to smile each day.

I promise I don't intend for this to be a sad post...really, I don't. I have felt a lot of mixed emotions about this day and just wanted to share a bit about how grateful I am to be a mom to two amazing babies. Jakey will always be a baby to me.

Since it's Mother's Day, I do want to show some love for the two most important moms in my life. I'm so grateful for my Mom (Kathy) and mother-in-law (Sheila), who have supported our family through the most difficult time in our lives, even when there were no words of comfort to offer. There will never be a 'thank you' big enough to express our gratitude for all that you do for us. Love you both!!

I went through some pictures to find some of my favorites with my little man and I ~ precious memories and moments in time that I will cherish always!! So grateful to be your mommy sweet Jakey.

I knew I loved you before I met you

1st day at home with my sweet bundle of BOY!

My happy boy ready for his 1st time at the beach

Checking out the fishies with momma

Little man loved going to the Zoo

A little fun at the lake - Jaker's 1st camping trip

At Bodega Bay - one of our best family vacations. Love that Jakey used to always hold my hands

Snuggled up with Momma on Christmas morning and resting his head on my shoulder, his favorite way to snuggle

One of the only pics I have with both kiddos - Jakey's little footsies and baby Kelly in my tummy

"No one else will ever know the strength of my LOVE for you. After all, you're the only one who knows what my heart sounds like from the inside."

From the Mountains to the Ocean

From the tops of the mountains, across the miles, and to the tips of the ocean -- Jacob is so very loved! This week we were sent beautiful messages from family members who thought of Jakey during their wonderful adventures. It fills our hearts to know that Jacob has touched the lives of others so deeply and proves that his love always surrounds us.

Jacob's name was carved into a moss covered rock overlooking Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park ~ a most beautiful place.

Jakey's name was also written in the sand on the beach near San Francisco. His PERSEVERE wrist band looks like a halo.

A candle was lit for Jake at Wells Cathedral in England. Jake's Auntie Kate picked up this flyer, which had a beautiful saying. It's a bit hard to read, so I wrote the words below...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me show love. 

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is discord, vision.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy. 

Perfectly written and so perfectly Jake! All the gifts he brought to us: love, faith, hope, light, joy!

Angel Buddy

It is with a most heavy heart that I share our sweet little friend Riley earned his angel wings earlier today. Riley was just two-and-a-half years young. We are so saddened by the loss of yet another precious little boy and to be honest, I have been at a complete loss trying to find the words to write this blog.


A smiley pic of handsome Riley sent to me by his momma a few weeks before his 2nd birthday.

Riley and Jacob were born just a few days apart and although the disease progressed somewhat differently in each of them, there were often times where they seemed to experience the same regressions simultaneously. Riley's mom Lori and I have been in touch for close to a year...checking in on the boys, exchanging care advice/tips, sharing birthday party plans and smiley pictures, as well as offering eachother words of encouragement during difficult times. I often look at Lori's pictures of Riley and am reminded of our Jakey boy -- such amazing little boys. Lori is amazing herself, and has done an exemplary job caring for Riley despite the circumstances. I wish I could wrap my arms around Lori and give her the biggest hug right now.

It is absolutely heartbreaking each time we lose another child to Niemann-Pick Disease. It's simply not fair and it doesn't make sense for a child to suffer like this! The thing that really doesn't make sense, is the fact that any family would have to experience this type of loss TWICE!! Lori and Chris Robbins lost their little girl Faith to Niemann-Pick several years ago, before Riley was born. As a parent who has experienced the devastating loss of my own son, I can't even fathom what it must be like to lose two precious children. It hurts my heart to the core knowing what the Robbins Family must be going through.

Thank you so much to everyone who has kept Riley and his family in your prayers. It truly means a lot to us! Please continue to keep the Robbins Family -- Lori, Chris and little Chris (Riley's older brother) -- in your thoughts and prayers. I know they will greatly appreciate the support.

Keeping Riley in my own thoughts and prayers in hopes that he is being embraced by his big sister, Jacob and his other NPD angel buddies up in Heaven. Praying also for treatments and a cure that will soon bring families HOPE!
Faith and Riley Blog

Back To Work I Go...

Tomorrow is my first day back to work after being off on maternity leave for five months. I have serious mixed emotions about it. Five months seems like a lifetime ago, in fact, it was a lifetime ago...Jacob's.

Five months ago, I had absolutely no idea what my life would be like caring for a child with a life-limiting illness and a new baby. I constantly wondered how I was going to manage caring for both children, while Josh went back to work full-time. On my last day of work, my heart and mind were filled with so many emotions. GRATEFUL that I chose an education and career in health care because I truly feel that it helped me to better navigate the "system" and care for Jake. I was NERVOUS and yet, filled with EXCITEMENT anticipating the arrival of our baby girl [Kelly]. I felt JOY in knowing I would get to spend my days with my favorite little man, and yet I felt immense FEAR of the unknown. I left work on the 9th of November not knowing whether I'd even be able to return to work. My priorities were and always will be my children. At the time, I wasn't sure how/if working would be feasible and I worried how we would keep our insurance coverage. How would we pay our bills? The only thing I knew is that I was exactly where I needed to be...HOME!

At that point, Jacob's health had been steadily declining and we were really struggling with managing his seizures. Knowing that Jake's care needs were increasingly demanding, we began the lengthy process of obtaining coverage for respite care for Jake. This would allow us to have a licensed health care professional to help me with taking care of Jake for several hours each week -- it was not what I wanted. I am not one to ask for help and more importantly, Josh and I wanted to be the only ones caring for Jake. I did not want some stranger caring for my son because I knew they couldn't care for him as well as we did. Realistically, I knew I needed the help in order for Jake to receive full-attention and the best overall care possible.

On my last day of work (a Friday), I had absolutely no clue that Jake would only be with us less than a week. The Thursday before my last day, I had put Jacob on a portable oxygen machine for the 1st time (outside of being hospitalized) because of his labored breathing and he remained on oxygen for just one week before taking his very last breath. Ever since Jacob's diagnosis, I had hoped, prayed and wished with every single bit of my being for a miracle that would take away his illness...a cure...any sort of treatment that would at least give us the gift of time. However, I truly feel with all of my heart that we experienced a miracle. Jacob was our miracle boy who persevered through so much. He had one week of supportive equipment and pain medication at our home where he was most comfortable. The fact that we did not have to see him suffer through some of the awful stages of his disease for a long period of time was a miracle. Life is about quality, not quantity. As much as I wish with every fiber of my body that Jacob was still here, I am beyond grateful that we did not have to witness him suffering any longer. The pain of watching your child suffer is an indescribable feeling.

My last day of work I took Jakey with his portable oxygen tank to his grandparent's house to visit his new cousin Alexis

Fast forward five months and my life is entirely different now. I have an amazingly sweet and smiley baby girl Kelly who fills my days with so much joy, but life as I knew it is forever changed because Jakey is no longer here. My daily routine that involved a full-time work schedule, yet revolved around caring for Jacob and loving him -- feeding pumps, medication administration, scheduling doctor appointments, infant development therapy, ordering medical supplies, giving my little man a comforting bath in his special bath chair, snuggling and holding his little hands for hours each night before he drifted off to sleep -- is no more. Things are just so very different.

I am fortunate that I have had the past several months to focus on my family and myself; to navigate my way back into a very different life and to refocus my energy on that what brings me joy. Being a stay-at-home momma has been my greatest joy and truly makes me happy. Thankfully my employer is allowing me to return to work on a part-time basis temporarily so that I can ease back into things and have more time with Kelly. Time stops for no one and time has pushed me forward into this new chapter. It's going to be a big adjustment. One foot in front of the other and one day at a time. Wish me luck!!

On a side-note...please send some special healing thoughts and prayers to our little buddy Riley (NPA) who is currently in the hospital with severe pneumonia, which is collapsing his lung. Riley is a fighter, but he and his family could use a little extra love!!