Forever Changed

March 22nd, 2012... this date should mean nothing more than just another day; just the 2nd day of spring; or just another record breaking March day.  To me, that date will forever mean something.  It will never be "just another day".  It will never be just March 22nd.


Emma was in Chicago with my mom.  She was eager to head downtown on the commuter train in the morning, ride in a taxi, and explore the American Girl store.  She had decided that she wanted a doll that looked like her and had on a purple outfit... "something kind of fancy" as Emma would say.  My mom had been planning this for weeks, and the day was going to be perfect.

Kaiden and I decided to play in the backyard before dinner while we were waiting for Sean to get home from work.  I had picked up a rotisserie chicken from the store along with some quick veggies, so I wouldn't be stuck in the kitchen with the gorgeous weather outside.  Kaiden had figured out how to go down the slides on his own and was hammin' it up like he usually does.  Sean soon came home from a long day at work and Kaiden started to yell "Dada! Dada!".  He had left early that day so we hadn't been able to see him yet.  The pure joy on Kaiden's face was so precious.  The laughs and smiles were abundant and the evening looked promising.

Dinner was delicious and just what we needed.  We had time to sit together, eat,  and discuss the happenings of the day.  It was a rather routine conversation:  How was your day; Anything big happen; How were your students; How did Kaiden do at daycare today; Have you talked with Emma?  It was just a normal evening.  It was just another regular day in March.  It was just March 22nd.

Sean's fire pager went off, which is pretty typical.  He grabbed his things and was off to assist someone in need.  I wiped the chicken and broccoli bits off Kaiden and headed upstairs to give him a bath.  His hair had a nice coat of chicken in it and it was obvious he had been playing outside.  It was "bath night".  It was just supposed to be "bath night".

Kaiden was splashing in the tub... my phone rang... my heart stopped... my world changed... my sister had been shot.

Words that I never imagined I would have heard.  Words that I never imagined I would have to say.  From that moment on I was forever changed. 

In a whirlwind of events, I somehow managed to get Sean home from his medical call and get to the hospital.  As I drove to the hospital the prayers and tears were flowing equally.  I had to have faith that everything was going to be okay.  I had to have faith that my sweet sweet sister would be fine.

As I rushed to the information desk, I had to say it.  I had to say, "My sister was shot".  The poor guy behind the desk had to try to translate what I was trying to formulate into words.  He then led me to a large set of double doors.  Double doors that normally mean you're going to get checked out for a big scrape, ear infection, or hurt wrist.  This time the double doors opened and I saw my dad standing there with tears streaming down his face.  This time I had to walk down the hall to face a horrible truth.  This time would change my life forever.

I drifted between the family room, the hall, and the room that was filled with doctors, nurses, and specialists.  Outside Jamie's room, family and friends gathered to support each other and hold each other up.  The doctors were determined to save her.  The doctors were determined to make things right.  They were determined to prove to us that all our praying was strong enough to keep her here with us.

After what seemed like forever and yet only a moment, we were told that they couldn't undo what was done.  They told us that they couldn't save my sister and that we could come in to be with her for her last moments.  As we stood there as a family one last time, the tears rolled down our cheeks.  As we prayed, we held her hands and let her go.

March 22nd, 2012... will never be just another day.  It will always be the day that my life changed forever.