Yesterday, while I was at the grocery store (Mansa finally peaceful enough for a trip), I received a call that Joshua had take a turn for the worse and the nanny was going to take him to the clinic. A few minutes later they called me back to say that he had already died.
This was sudden but not altogether unexpected. We already knew that Joshua had been exposed to HIV. He was receiving medicine for this. His appetite was very poor and we had to work very hard just to get him to eat what he did--about half what he should have received.
He also had very poor muscle structure and I saw signs that led me to believe he may have had Cerebral Palsy. I sent his information and pictures to a doctor in Europe. The local clinic officer was also checking on him but Joshua's case was a bit beyond his experience.
Monday night Joshua developed a fever. We continued to treat him for dehydration and gave him his other medications but when he came for Family Time that evening, there was something about the look of him that told me he wasn't going to last long. I prayed it wasn't so, but I've been here too many times. My main thought that night was that I hoped he didn't have to suffer too long. I've seen some of our babies fight so long and hard for every breath and it just breaks your heart when they ultimately lose their battle.
The fact that Joshua passed so quickly was, honestly, a relief. He was a quiet baby and didn't seem to be in pain even right up to the end. His body just wasn't ready to live here on earth. When his grandmother came to collect his body for the funeral, she said that he had struggled from birth and they were surprised he survived as long as he did.
One of our nannies has only been working here for a few weeks. This was the first death she's had to deal with here. I asked her yesterday evening how she was doing and she nearly cried as she told me how Joshua had made her happy and that she liked taking care of him. And that is the gift Joshua brought to this world, in the 6 short months he lived, he brought joy to people's lives. And now he's joyful in Heaven.
Joshua--You were loved!
Posts
Bless you Joshua and may peace be with his nanny.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sending prayers up for Joshua. My youngest just turned 6 months, and reading this makes me want to snuggle him to me forever. Thank you for sharing and for loving those babies!
ReplyDeleteoh Amy! I'm so sorry to hear that. It's so crazy that some of use get dozens of years & this poor little baby didn't even get 1 year. I'm so glad you were in his life to take care of him & share his story with the rest of the world. I hope that his passing reminds the rest of us how precious life is & how many need our help.
ReplyDeleteHow sad to experience loss! I can't even find the words!
ReplyDeleteOh, so heart breaking. My prayers are with you and all the families you are helping.
ReplyDeleteVisiting from #commenthour
awww poor baby. I'm sorry :( he was adorable!
ReplyDeleteAmy, you brought a tear to my eye with this one. It is a lovely way to honor a child who was with us for such a short time.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that you're doing good work. Wow. - ChiMomWriter / itbuildscharacter.com
ReplyDeleteoh, I'm so sorry for the loss and thankful for the merciful nature of it.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I'm stopping by this blog for the first time and it has already made me teary. Godspeed Joshua as I know you are missed.
ReplyDeleteMy son name is Joshua. This hit a little close to home but that's how special Joshuas are. They touch everyone in some way!
ReplyDeleteYou have such an amazing heart. RIP Joshua.
ReplyDeleteyou have a very beautiful blog, I can't imagine going through this experience. #commenthour.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear :( He was cute!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad post. You are doing amazing work obviously & there are so many children that are lucky to have you there doing what you are doing. Sending a prayer off to Joshua tonight.
ReplyDeleteWow Amy you are so lucky you got picked for #commenthour again! Here from #commenthour this week would love it if you could stop by my blog Newlyweds on a Budget www.morganandkari.com
ReplyDeleteKari
What a beautiful child - and what a beautiful tribute you wrote in his honor. Thank you for sharing him with us.
ReplyDeleteHeaven gained a beautiful little angel!
ReplyDeleteOh how sad! But you know, it takes a special person to be part of this....you're an angel! What a beautiful baby, and I know he's in heaven rejoicing..even as a small baby. Stopping by from SITS comment hour.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about baby Joshua. Stopping by from #commenthour
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this story. Joshua, rest in peace and thank you for all that you shared while you were here.
ReplyDeleteJoshua is in Heaven and living life beyond what we can imagine. My heart goes out to his family and you. You're doing great work. Be safe!
ReplyDeletePraying for Joshua!
ReplyDelete#commenthour
that is heartbreaking. Prayers with the little guy!
ReplyDelete#CommentHour
What difficult and amazing work you do. How blessed that he was able to be taken care of so lovingly for the time he was here. So sad that is all the time he was given.
ReplyDeleteThis really did make me cry, but what an amazing story. Joshua, through your words, will touch many more lives and hearts.
ReplyDeleteAs the mom of 4, two of which have medical issues, I understand this world. It's a sad and heartbreaking one, we know more loss then those families who aren't in the positions we are.
Bless you, and your family, on your journey there!
Stopping by via #commenthour
Joshua, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. His story is very touching.
ReplyDeletefollowing you from #commenthour
http://www.seekreadblog.com
Wow I think you are picked each week which must be great. The stories you write about a moving and touching.
ReplyDeletefrom comment hour
@eileenludwig
Wow. Reading this story honestly did bring a bit of tears to my eyes, but I am immensely glad that Joshua is no longer suffering and that his soul is at peace, now.
ReplyDeletevisiting from #commenthour
thanks for telling his story & all that you do. Glad he didn't seem to suffer and touched everyone there & reading this. You are amazing to be working with all these kids and sharing their stories. =)
ReplyDeleteI remember when he first came to you, so sad to hear that he didn't make it.
ReplyDeleteOh no. I am so sorry. Precious little Joshua in the Lord's arms now. I am sorry I missed this post, I have not been on the computer as much lately.
ReplyDelete