Parents need to support each other

So Erin had this great idea of supporting Rachael by getting bloggers together to write controversial, yet positive posts. Rachael lost her daughter Hannah in a tragic drowning accident last month. She has been blogging about it as a way of therapy, but has gotten some very negative feedback because of it. My heart breaks for Rachael and her family. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to loose a child. I don't think any of us could unless we've been there. And even then, we all deal with our grief in different ways. Us mom's, (and yes, even dad's), need to stick together and support one another. So, even though I didn't sign on to have my post linked through Erin, I am writing the following in honor of Hannah and for her Mom, Rachael.

When K-bug was a new born, Boo was 3 and G-man was 5. It was November of 2003, the weekend after Halloween. It all sticks in my head so clearly still. K-bug was napping inside, while Hubby and I were sitting out front enjoying the warm day and listening to the kids play next door. Our two families were close, and I kids were back and forth at each others houses all the time. Boo was in there back yard playing with their little girl his age. They had a small fire going in the back yard, (this is common for this area), but there were adults out there at all times. Well, almost. Apparently, everyone over there had went inside for all of a minute. Boo took this opportunity, (he has always been a little curious, or maybe sneaky is a better word), and found some spray paint cans the man next door had hid until he could dispose of them. Boo took one of the paint cans and through it in the fire. He was only a couple of feet from it, facing it, when it blew up. Hubby and I heard the loud boom and then the screaming, and knew it was one of ours. We took off running next door. When I saw my baby, the top of his forehead and head covered in black, I thought I would go crazy. I was so scared. My neighbor scooped him up and was bring him to Hubby while I hit my knees and started begging God to let him be okay. Someone got me up off the ground, sat me down on an ice chest and laid Boo across my lap. We were running cool water from the hose across his face, trying to see what damage had been down. Looking back now, it might not have been the smartest thing to do, but it was something. I'm not sure who called 911, but suddenly they were there. The took Boo and put him in the ambulance. One EMT came out and told me I could ride with him, but I HAD to calm down first. I sat back there with him, talking to him, trying to keep him conscious. I didn't realize Hubby had called his brother and sister-in-law to come sit with G-man and K-bug. I didn't even realize he was in the ambulance too, up front, until we were a few miles down the road.
We went to the Women's and Children's Hospital, which has the best burn unit around. When they got him into a room and started cleaning him up, we all realized that all the black was just paint, not charred skin. It took a little while to get him to open his eyes and test his vision. Once they did, his eye sight was fine. He ended up with minor burns around his eyes, and small minor burns on his arms and chest. Other than being tired and grouchy from the shock, he was fine.
I don't think I have ever been that scared in my life. I was so afraid I was going to loose him. Or at the very least, he would be blind or disfigured. But my beautiful little boy was fine, and we were so very thankful.
For about 2 years after that he could not handle the sound of fireworks. The boom would send him into a crying fit. Really, I wasn't much better about the noise myself. But, he is fine now. He is a beautiful 7 year old boy, and he doesn't remember any of it.
I thank God everyday, probably not nearly enough, for my 3 beautiful children. Although they drive me crazy some times, I wouldn't give anything in the world for them.
Hug your children everyday. Tell them you love them everyday. We don't know how long we will have them with us. So cherish them for as long as you do.