Ro baby. I looked for you all day. I was so sure you were going to wake me up this morning, as you have done every morning for the past almost 4 years. I woke up with a big, strange person in our bed. It was your daddy. I kept waiting for you to pop out in between us, but you never came. I got up, showered, and got dressed. I waited for you to come in and ask for me to put on some of my sparkly lip gloss that you liked to cover your face in. I waited for you to ask what it was that I was putting on my eyes as I applied my mascara. I waited for you to ask me to give your star wars guys a bath and for me to give you my hairdryer so you could blow dry them. You never came.
Quinn needed a haircut today. I got in the car and drove him to the barber. I looked for you in my rear view mirror, sitting back in your carseat. You weren’t there. Somehow, I got Quinny safely to get his haircut. I’m not sure I should have been driving today as everything is really foggy. My friend, Melissa came and sat with me. I told her how I needed to go to Nordstrom to return some of your Paul Frank underwear that came in the mail and to get Quinn and Liam some shoes for your service on Sunday. She came with me. She helped me get the sizes for your brothers shoes as my mind would not focus today. Everything is a mess. Everything except me. I’m o.k. Remember how a couple of days ago, I was hovering over you and I was crying?? You looked at me and said, “Mom, stop being sad.” You would be proud of me. I’m not sad yet. I’m trying so hard to make you proud. I am scared for the day when all of this hits me and I realize you are really gone. As of now, this all just feels like make believe. I still feel like this is just a trick or a nightmare that I cannot wake up from. Your daddy has been crying a lot. I wonder if something is wrong with me as I am not grieving yet. I’m numb to everything around me.
After I dropped Quinn off at home, I went to my hair appointment. I sat in the chair and was quiet for the most part. Katrina, who shaved your little head, gave me a big hug. She let me sit and just be with my own thoughts but we talked about you for a little bit. I got teary eyed, but did not cry. After my hair appointment, I went to see Dr. Maze. I brought him a coffee in your honor; but it was from A.J.’s and not Starbucks like we usually used to bring to him. We sat in his office for a long time. He has a picture of you up in the middle of his bulletin board. He misses you. I didn’t cry when I sat with him either. I never seem to, as you know he always has given me strength. He has become one of my best friends. Even though he is just a really old man 😉 We laugh about the day that I will push him around in his wheelchair. He told me his mum will look after you now. I had a dream about him saying this to me. That his mom would look after you now. I had asked him this in real life in a text message and he didn’t answer me back. But I dreamt he did and that is what he told me. I asked him today if I dreamed that or if he really had said it. He said that I had dreamed it, but that he knew she would be looking after you. That gave me peace because he loves her so much. I know she will take good care of you until I see you again.
After I left Dr. Maze’s office, I came home and helped your brothers get ready for their baseball game. They played so well and it was such a beautiful night. I kept looking for you on the playground, but I couldn’t find you. Then I remembered, you are gone. Since you’ve been gone something funny has happened everyday. That song by Journey, “Don’t stop believing,” has been playing in the background each day. Tonight, I heard it at the ballpark and it stopped me dead in my tracks. 3 days in a row I’ve heard that song. So weird. I know it’s you. It’s one of your little signs. I will never stop believing in you. At the ballpark, your brothers played an amazing game. They are happy, but they miss you a lot. Quinn was having trouble hitting the ball at one point and I asked for you to help him. I said, “Come on, Ro. Help your brother out.” You did. He hit it out of the park. Your dad and I stood together and talked about you and how you were always so proud and always held your chin up high. You achieved a lifetime of dignity in your 4 years of life that most people never achieve. Even when you died, your chin was held high. You are such an amazing little boy, Ronan. I am so honored I am your mama. I’ll never forget some of your last words to me. “Mama.” Me: “Yes, baby.” You: “I love you.” Me: ” I love you more, Ro.”
Tonight, we rode our bikes over to Uncle Jay’s house so Liam and Quinn could go swimming. I looked for you on your little bike next to me, but you weren’t there. Liam and Quinn swam in the pool and played basketball. I heard them laugh and looked up at the moon to tell you that I love you to the moon and back. I wish you could have been with us. Quinn took big fall on his bike on our way home. His little foot was so bloody and scraped up. We got him home and I thought of you and how brave you have always been. I tried to channel some of your braveness into Quinn. We got home and I did my first load of laundry since you’ve been gone. It was so weird. I still cannot go into your bedroom. I’m saving it for that special time when I know I am ready to fully succumb to this nightmare. I will use your room as the place where I can fully breakdown; when it is my time.
I’ll never forget how you looked hours before you passed. I could have sworn I saw your little eyes trying to form tears. I know it was because you were so sad to leave us. I hate thinking of you sad. I’m trying my hardest to block this memory out and think of you at your happiest times. The times that you were with us and such a carefree, healthy little boy. These memories will keep my heart warm for the rest of my life, baby.
I have to go now. Fernanda and Stacy are here and we are going to go over the way we are honoring you on Sunday. Even though we will honor you for the rest of our lives, baby. I love you, Ro. See you in my dreams.
xoxo
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