Rowan's Story: Back to the Empty Cross... we found "Hope"

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Back to the Empty Cross... we found "Hope"

Today Rowan's home nurse of 7+ years, Cindy, and I went to Kerrville so I could show her the Empty Cross. I know I've posted pictures of the cross before, but it was such a beautiful day and we shared such a special time there, that I decided to share the ones I took today too. Rowan was all around us...even from the moment we walked up...

As we walked up the hill towards the gardens, path and sculptures, this is the first thing that caught my eye...

We walked the path toward the new sculpture and it was so beautiful.

Everything there is.

One of the first prayer rocks that I noticed along the path was this one... something Rowan was known to say often.

There were hearts everywhere, as always. Rowan always pointed out hearts... even in a stains or wounds. Now I find them daily.

We found the stone plaque that the Guardians of the Children had made for Rowan on their memorial ride out there months ago. The Texas sun has weathered it, but it still looks beautiful, and is so special to our family.

Cindy and I each wrote our own prayers on several rocks, and placed them along the path with the others. Here are just a few of mine...

A fellow transplant buddy Luke is home on hospice spending his last days surrounded by his loved ones. He will soon be in Heaven with Rowan. Please pray for his family as they pass him into God's hands.

Two of Rowan's angel friends have birthdays this weekend. Please pray for their families, as special days like birthdays and holidays are so hard for those missing loved ones. They both died on the same day, May 19th, but Chrissie passed 8 years ago and Olivia just 4 1/2 months ago.

We also saw butterflies flying all around us...Rowan's favorite color, orange.

If you have never been, I highly suggest you drive to Kerrville sometime, and visit The Empty Cross. It is peaceful, beautiful and powerful.

Thank you for going with me Cindy. It was so special. I love you.

And Rowan, we both love and miss you so much too, but thank you for the signs today...even the literal sign "Hope".

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In Memory of Rowan's 11th Birthday

http://a.co/4bNkv62

*Click the link above to purchase a gift in memory of Rowan's 11th birthday.*

In memory of Rowan's 11th birthday, July 21, we are hosting a virtual birthday party to benefit Methodist Children's Hospital (MCH) in San Antonio, where Rowan spent much of his childhood battling for his life. All gifts purchased through this registry will be delivered in person to MCH on Rowan's birthday, July 21, 2017. The toys will be donated to the Child Life Department at MCH and placed in the new play rooms at MCH for many pediatric patients to enjoy during their hospitalizations. The toys on this registry represent a few of Rowan's favorite things. We all know Rowan had such a huge heart for giving and making the good, so this party in his memory is a way of carrying out his legacy by celebrating and doing the things that mattered most to him. Thank you for being a part of carrying out Rowan's legacy, making the good, and honoring Rowan's powerful life while remembering his 11th birthday on July 21, 2017.

In ICU, post vp shunt surgery...precious angel.

In October of 2010, Rowan started having severe headaches again. He had two spinal taps, just three days apart due to increased cranial pressures (double or triple what they should be). They removed over 55 ccs of excess spinal fluid trying to relieve his headaches. Eventually, when the pain was just too severe and his pressures weren't coming down, he finally had to have a vp shunt placed. When he woke up the next day, he told one of the doctors that he would give him a free autograph for helping get rid of his headaches. A couple days later, he made a sign for me to put in the window of his hospital room, that he says said "Open for business. Autographs $15. Free drink with purchase".

Another battle wound...this one from his Chiari malformation brain surgery.

In January of 2009, Rowan had craniectomy/laminectomy surgery to correct a brain malformation that was obstructing his flow of spinal fluid and causing headaches and other neurological symptoms. They removed a small piece of the base of his skull, shrunk up the bottom portion of his brain, and removed part of his C1 and C2 vertebrae to free up space for the spinal fluid to flow. When we told Rowan that he would be going in to the hospital to get his brain fixed, he thought for a minute and then said, "Will I see Logan (favorite nurse) and can I eat baby ice cubes when I wake up?" When we said yes, he simply said "Ok, Let's do it!"

"Our Little Trooper"

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Back to the Empty Cross... we found "Hope"

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