| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 6:50:50 PM
Sisters, I just wanted to let you know that today I got word that my son, Reo, is being awarded with the Chase Youth Award for "Courage"!
I saw an ad in the paper several weeks ago about it. The Chase Youth commission was looking for people to nominate youth of Spokane for various awards in different age categories. I thought this was so amazing and I was absolutely compelled to write a letter nominating my son. I've included the letter for you to read.
I'm overwhelmingly happy for him and oh so proud! If any of you local gals would like to come to the ceremony just email me and I'll send the information. The mayor of Spokane will be presenting the award and he'll receive a letter from the governor among other neat things. The bottom line for me is that he'll be getting some very special attention! So Great and I just had to share! Way to go REO!!
~julia
here's the letter:
> It is a great honor for me to sit and write about my son, Reo D.
> Layton who is 7years old and a first grader at Medical Lake
> Elementary School. Reo is an average little boy. He is neither a
> gifted student nor athlete. He has not rallied his peers for some
> community cause nor has he faced personal hardship that he’s found
> creative ways of overcoming. Reo spends his days like any other
> egocentric kid. Yet, he is extraordinary.
>
> In January 2008, Reo’s little sister, Aria, was diagnosed with
> leukemia. Suddenly our family was thrown into a world filled with
> desperation, fear, crisis, anxiety and unknowns. Reo and Aria were
> very close playmates and overnight he saw her completely change. She
> spent days lying in a hospital bed with IV cords. She screamed in
> pain, begging for help, terrified much of the time. Reo did not
> comfort her outwardly. He didn’t stroke her hair or rub her back. But
> he did ride on her bed every time she needed an x-ray or when she was
> returning from surgery. He did tell her again and again, “It’s going
> to be ok Aria.” She believed him and so did I. He did pick out movies
> for her to watch and together they watched more television than I
> care to think about. He did entertain their baby sister, finding toys
> for her and ways to keep her occupied when we were quarantined to our
> room.
>
> When Aria was released from the hospital and we began our life of
> outpatient treatments, Reo never missed an appointment, wanting only
> to be with Aria. In those first few months, our clinic appointments
> would last several hours, and although the waiting area and playrooms
> are exceptionally fun and kid friendly, Reo often sat on the
> sidelines and waited with patience, the likes of which I have never
> seen in a young child. He quietly watched and took everything in. I
> can’t remember a time that he complained or whined about wanting to
> leave and trust me, he had every reason to complain. He heard “just-a-
> minute” or “wait your turn” or “hang on” countless times. We learned
> that siblings of children with cancer are often called “Shadow
> Survivors”. This is a heart-wrenching reality and every parent I know
> does their best to make certain their other children aren’t left on
> the back burner. I remember feeling haunted by the idea of ‘shadow
> survivor’ and knew that if Reo had a role to play, the inclusion he
> felt would be immensely empowering in a very powerless situation. Reo
> became instrumental in helping us all celebrate the simple little
> mundane things of every day life. Suddenly eating a meal together was
> worthy of attention. Reading books, watching movies, telling stories,
> acting out movie characters, reviewing his school work, and helping
> with household chores became peaceful highlights in exceedingly
> stressful times.
>
> It took over 10 months before Aria regained her strength, stamina and
> real desire for play that she once had. Reo stayed by her side and
> remained a silent presence that gave her healing comfort that I will
> never fully understand. Aria has had to go to the ER a number of
> times this past year and Reo has been with her all but once and that
> experience was revealing. His first grade teacher called to tell me
> that he was not himself and was worrying himself sick that “Aria is
> at the hospital. She’s ok but I’m not there with her.” We picked him
> up early from school that day and the brightness he brought into her
> room was blinding. The brilliance of their smiles and the relief they
> felt being together was breathtaking to witness. I don’t know that we
> can quantify the power of this kind of healing.
>
> Reo is an exceptional young person worthy of a Chase
> Youth Award. He reminds us that sometimes the greatness of a person
> is the gift of their presence in relishing the ordinary things of
> life despite extraordinary circumstances. Sincerely, Julia M. Hayes
>
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 6:50:12 PM
Hey Rae! No kidding..who cares if I cry?! you're absolutely right. I know I'll cry...the thing that concerns me is that I'll be a snot-dripping sobbing teary-eyed wreck! hahaha. I doubt it but given my hormones that make me teary over bologne commercials, I may be in some trouble!!!
It's all good!
~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
| Old Spirit |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 5:08:58 PM
Hugs to all of you and so what if you cry, they are tears of pride of a wonderful young man :-) I believe it is on the top ten things a Mom does, cry because she is so proud!!!
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
| Lainey |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 1:24:10 PM
Bless your heart Julia, I'll cry along with you. Hormones are something. Hope you all have a beautiful evening tomorrow night!
Hugs!
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Mar 25 2009 : 12:58:20 PM
Hey Everyone! Tomorrow night is the award ceremony! I'm thrilled! I also have to admit that I'm COMPLETELY hormonal. I knew I was in trouble when I was watching this ridiculously stupid movie with my girls and was reduced to almost sobbing tears! Thank God I knew exactly what it was but this doesn't bode well for tomorrow night's ceremony. I'm needing a little extra strength over here. I get all teary just thinking about it! Need to keep it somewhat together...know what I mean?
An aside. This is such a perfect story about my Reo. Last night we were working on some school work that he had to make-up since he was home sick for a few days last week. Anyway, the assignment was taking each letter in his name and writing a word that somehow describes him. His teacher offered the example;
Responsible
Energetic
Oh, so smart!
totally cute! Ok so we did the same thing and these were Reo's choices. No prodding from me whatsoever. I was in awe!
Rock
Even
Ok
He's so amazing...see? I'm crying again. I think I'm in trouble ladies..these darn hormones!! help!!!! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
| rhondacate |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 10:34:48 PM
That totally made me cry!
Congrats on the award.
~Rhonda
http://rmfo-blogs.com/rhonda |
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 6:57:23 PM
Congratulations to you and your son Julia! You should be proud of your family!
Hugs,
Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl #44
Sisters on the Fly #595
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5202149
|
| Maryjane Lee |
Posted - Mar 09 2009 : 6:54:24 PM
Congratulations to you and your son Julia! You should be proud of your family!
Hugs,
Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl #44
Sisters on the Fly #595
http://thebeehivecottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5202149
|
| lacisne88 |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 5:04:08 PM
Wow! I just had to take a deep breath because I was on the verge of crying. My eyes got all watery...that was a wonderful letter and your family is so wonderful and strong! I am so happy that Reo won the award!
Chelsey
Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
| Old Spirit |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 11:55:58 AM
Reo sounds amazing and you should be so proud of him. He certainly understands the term family. You and your family will be in our prayers and tell Reo what a amazing young man he is. I am sure he has helped Aria feel better just knowing he was in her corner.
Rae
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31 |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 11:54:39 AM
What a great little boy you have there, he really really deserves that award.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 11:42:08 AM
You're a wise womsn to not dismiss the past. You honor your journey with the words you write. Many congratulations to Reo! May the light that shines on him at the awards ceremony be as bright as the one that lights him from within.
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
| countrygrace |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 09:25:57 AM
Julie,
Reo sounds wonderful what a Big Brother. His little Sister Aria is very lucky. Congratulations on his award. He is lucky to have such a wonderful mom who would write such a nice story about him. All my prayers to you and your wonderful family.
Country Grace
"From Our Heart With Our Hands"
Our website: http://home.earthlink.net/~daveandgrace/
My Store: http://graceskitchen.mybisi.com/ |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 07:27:10 AM
Ladies!! thank you all for these wonderful posts! I'm overwhelmed!
I'm in this place right now where it is tempting to sort of forget where we were just a year ago because where we are now is so good and so different. There's nothing to hint at what we've endured. Aria seems absolutely back to herself and if it wasn't for medication twice a day and clinic visits a few times a month life would be exactly like it was before she got sick.
I've heard many different sentiments regarding dropping one's past; things like, "better to move on," "look forward not back," "the past isn't unimportant, it is simply dead," "the past is gone," and so on. I understand but I must be in this transitional zone where I'm not ready to drop it yet. To forget or put it all behind me feels dismissive to Aria in some way. I'm in awe of her and it isn't like I'm trying to re-live what we went through. I'm not. But I'm also not trying to sweep it under the rug or move on or forget. I want to remember. I need to remember because it helps me appreciate with greater clarity where we are today. What we are able to do. How life is rebuilding itself and how I'm able to reclaim so much of what I had to let go. It is extraordinary!
In terms of Reo, I'm so thrilled he gets to be celebrated this way. He has been rock solid in his simplicity and his routines. His flexibility and openness are just breath-taking sometimes. I remember where we were and what we had to do and there he was on the side-lines waiting and wondering, finding things to entertain himself.
This has been the hardest experience of my life but I promise each of you, I have been bestowed grace through my children, my husband, my extended family, and my friends including all of you. I'm certain I'm not deserving but I am utterly humbled and beyond grateful and so it is my duty to share it and to shine a light on all those who made it possible for me to get through.
Thank you so much for coming with me in celebration of my son. He is something else! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com |
| crafter |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 07:14:40 AM
Julia- I am at work right now with tears streaming down my face! What a wonderful young man you have- not to forget about a VERY strong family!
Please tell him congrats from Wisconsin- give him a extra hug from me!
Lori
Have a Country Day |
| vintagediva1 |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 07:11:44 AM
Julia,
What a journey your family has been on.I have been on that journey and know that sometimes the days are endless. Keep up your strength. Know that I am praying for all of you. What a special family you have
Love and Hugs,
Michele
www.2vintagedivas.etsy.com
Love that good ole vintage junk |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 06:06:52 AM
With tears in my eyes ... I am so proud for you to have such an inspirational child in your life.
With such a partnership between your children, who knows what they can do together as adults. He is going to be a great adult most likely with a mission.
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
| Lavendar fields dreamer |
Posted - Mar 06 2009 : 01:25:50 AM
wow congrats to your son julia
and when is he getting the award?
lavendar girl
http://lavendarfieldsdreamer.blogspot.com/ |
| homesteaderbelle |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 10:29:17 PM
I am sorry to hear that your daughter had leukemia. Your son sounds to be so sweet, kind, loving, special, and caring to his little sister.
Congratulations to your son for the award!
Belle
http://www.homesteaderbelle.blogspot.com/
|
| electricdunce |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 10:14:43 PM
How lovely, and what a special child he is. We never see our strengths until we are tested. I have been reading about your daughter ever since I* joined the forum, and it is wonderful to know she is doing so well. You have a remarkable family.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 9:16:01 PM
Julia- your children are amazing and I am so happy that Reo is getting recognized! *Hugs* You and Doc are doing a superb job raising wonderful kids!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Calicogirl |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 8:43:47 PM
What an amazing boy you have. This also brought tear to my eyes. Congratulations :)
~Sharon
By His Grace, For His Glory |
| melody |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 8:07:04 PM
Carol Sue said it best Julia...."He learned how to deal with the shadows and became an inspiration..." Congratulations Julia and you too Reo! Take lots of pictures at the ceremony so we can see "proud" mama and the boy! |
| Carol Sue |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 7:52:14 PM
Wow Julia, now that is majorly awesome. He learned how to deal with the shadows and became an inspiration, a young boy with great compassion, who cares about his family. Great beginnings for a young boy to turn into an amazing young man.....
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
| simplyflowers |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 7:08:25 PM
THIS IS SO EXCELLENT!!!! Children truly are a beautiful gift from God. This is a wonderful, heart-warming post. Thank you so much for sharing this!!
Warmly,
Jamie :)
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas Edison
Check out my blog!! http://bestcoupleintown.blogspot.com/ |
| jennym |
Posted - Mar 05 2009 : 7:02:07 PM
Oh Julia, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. What a wonderful story, and what a wonderful little boy. And it's so great that, as you said, he'll be getting some special attention, just for being who he is. That's awesome! May God bless both Reo and Aria - and you!
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 |
