Special walk for a special friend...

Today marks an especially sad anniversary for Rowan's "girlfriend in heaven" Chrissie Patterson. Two years ago today she went in for her massive open heart surgery, and it was the last day they saw her precious eyes open and heard her precious laughter.

Chrissie passed away in the PICU here 31 days later. She died from complications from that surgery. If you've followed Rowan's story or read the past blog posts here, you will see what a special connection these two children had, though they never met while she was alive. Amazingly enough, just last night, while he himself is back here in the same hospital where they originally "met", when they stayed for a month straight each, Rowan sat up in bed and asked: "Am I on that floor where Chrissie's leaf is on the memory tree?". When I told him yes he was, he said "Can I go walk there tomorrow?". Rowan couldn't have known the date, or realized that "tomorrow" was "today", the very day she went into that surgery. Not to mention that he has spent the past 12 days here in bed, half of it in PICU again, and hasn't walked or even stood up on the floor for those 12 days. But I knew that wouldn't stop him, and I didn't want it to. Here he is making this special trip for his special friend on a very special day. And I couldn't help but sense that I was witnessing yet another miracle, another special Chrissie/Rowan miracle. Blessed beyond words...hope it blesses you too!

"Good Morning Mom-Can I go to see Chrissie's Leaf now."

"C'mon. Lets Go!"

"This is hard work pushing this pole with all these pumps."

"I remember where her leaf is on the memory tree. There it is!"

"Chrissie Patterson"

"Big Kiss"

"This is the leaf I want to be on someday. Right by Chrissie." (tears)

"Does this remind you of me and Chrissie?"

Special Prayer for Chrissie...

Special Prayer for Lorraine and Matt. (got down on his knees for this one)

"A blue butterfly and a pink flower! She'd LOVE those."

(I don't know what it is, but something so special about this photo, with his name showing on his hospital id bracelet and her name on the tree, yet they are so connected.)

"One more kiss."

Blowing her kisses.

"Bye Chrissie. See you in my dreams and in heaven..."

"Remembering you today and every day Princess Chrissie!"

"I love you-My special Girlfriend in heaven. Love, Rowan"

"I know what I can do, I can sell my autograph to raise money for Kidd's Kids"

Rowan and our entire family were very blessed this past November. We went to Disney World with Kidd's Kids. They are an organization that takes 50 children with chronic and terminal illnesses (and their families) all to Disney World- together! It was the trip of a lifetime, not just for Rowan, but for all of us. For 5 whole days he got to laugh, play, ride rides, hang out with other kids like himself, and spend time with his family, all outside of a hospital for a change. He had a blast, made some great friends, and have enough pictures and memories to last a lifetime. Here are just a few of those photos. When I asked Rowan how he could help them raise money for the kids they will take this coming year, he immediately responded "I will sell my autograph!" For more information about that endeavor, read on after the pictures...

I'm pretty sure that the smiles on our faces in these pictures speak volumes for what a great trip this was for our family and what an amazing charity Kidd's Kids is. If you would like to find out more about what they do check out their website at www.kiddskids.com. If you would like to help Rowan raise money for them, send him a donation check, made out to Kidd's Kids, include your return address and he will autograph a copy of the picture below and mail it back to you. It is of course, the least Rowan can do:-)

Mail donations to:
Rowan Windham
420 River Chase Drive
New Braunfels, Texas 78132
(remember to make checks out to Kidd's Kids though)