A Forever Jr. Loyalist

montgjules · 07-18-2005, 02:05 PM

If you don't like a sad story, don't read this post. It does have a kind of happy message for us Loyalists, though, which is why I decided to post it here.

My neighbor came up to me at a church event about a month ago and said, "You're a Loyalist!!!" I was so surprised and asked if she'd seen me on TV. She said no, but she has season tickets in the north endzone and had spied me a few times. I told her to come join us and have fun. So at one of the last games, she came over and talked to me at halftime. She had her 20-month-old son with her, who goes to all the games with her. Right before the second half started, she told me he was going in for heart surgery soon.

That really hit me hard for some reason and I worried about him for weeks. I felt like I really wanted to do something for them, but just didn't know what I could do. She told me he'd had surgery two or three times already, so I thought that it was getting to be somewhat "routine" at this point.

Well, the day after the surgery, one of our neighbors called and asked us to fast and pray for this family because the little boy's heart had stopped during surgery and they had finally gotten it restarted, but he still hadn't awaken. A few days later, they found out that he wasn't going to make it and he passed away last Friday.

The mother remembered going to the tailgate party with the Loyalists at the July 4th game, and remembered there had been a photographer walking around who had taken a couple pictures of her son. Since she knew I was a Loyalist, she had somebody call me to see if I could track the pictures. Well, as you can guess, it took me all of about two minutes to track down Deuce's album for the July 4th game and within minutes I had found the pictures. Deuce emailed me the full versions so I could get them printed out for the mother. These were the last pictures taken of this sweet sweet sweet child that I know of and are a special tender mercy for this family.

If you're feeling down about the tragedies in life, remember to take a moment to remember the small tender mercies that go along with it. Those are the things that make life bearable. And say a prayer for our fellow RSL fans (and future Loyalists, I'm sure....) who emailed me today and called their little baby a "forever junior loyalist."

Rover · 07-18-2005, 02:19 PM

Very, very sad indeed. Our prayers for the family of the boy.

But thanks for letting us know, Juliana. It had to be tough to write.

HibaIssa · 07-18-2005, 02:22 PM

Yes, very sad. I can't imagine what the family is going through. It is always hard to loose someone, especially a child.

BTW: Is this the little boy that you talked to DJ about? You might want to tell him, I think he would want to know.

Jose Luis Luviano · 07-18-2005, 02:23 PM

Damn, that's tough.

As everyone no doubt has figured out, I'm a Heathen. But I'm going to pray for the kid.

He can take my father-in-law to watch the Manchester United guys, the Juventus Superga guys, Mickey Trotman and Joe Gaetjens.

Deuce · 07-18-2005, 02:42 PM

You really know how to make a big oaf cry jules...

He was so cute with his waaaaay too big outfit... I could not pass up an opportunity to get a couple of shots.

I don't really know what to say really. I am glad that I could help out but I truly wish it could have been under happier circumstances.

My thoughts are with the family and I hope they find some peace in this very difficult time.

montgjules · 07-18-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Damn, that's tough.

As everyone no doubt has figured out, I'm a Heathen. But I'm going to pray for the kid.

He can take my father-in-law to watch the Manchester United guys, the Juventus Superga guys, Mickey Trotman and Joe Gaetjens.

Give our best to your wife. This looks recent, too?

Yes, this is the little boy I told DJ about. When I emailed him the information, I told him that it looked like he wasn't going to make it. I'll send a follow-up email confirming that. I'm going to the funeral tomorrow and I'm gonna cry like a baby the whole time.

I'll give my neighbor best wishes from all the Loyalists.

Deweyville · 07-18-2005, 02:55 PM

Too sad. We are involved with sick or dying children every day where I work. It’s so much different, though, when you see a face.

Please send our condolences to the family.

Stucki · 07-18-2005, 02:57 PM

Oh wow. That is tough. Having two kids in good health, I can only imagine what they are going through.

luvmyboys · 07-18-2005, 05:01 PM

All of my boys and I are saying extra prayers for this family...........

Czar Jake · 07-18-2005, 05:02 PM

Thanks for that post Jules. You need to hear stuff like that sometimes even though it is hard.

Do you think it would be appropriate for us to make a banner in this little boy's honor or have a moment of silence or something? After all, he is as you say a Jr. Loyalist forever more. I know other groups around the world often honor their fallen in such a way (Boys Roma did it recently) ....Thought I'd throw the idea out there.