Sweet baby Thalon. The fair, red-headed boy amidst the sea of princess tiaras and Barbie dolls. The perfect representation of Gorillabuns’ Irish roots. Rich’s future partner-in-crime.
Thalon passed away yesterday afternoon surrounded by his adoring family.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention wanting to punch the universe in the mouth right now. Really hard.
For those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting Shana in real life, you know she is quite the Mama Bear. Long before she birthed her three beautiful children, she was the kind of friend that would fight dragons tooth and nail for you. Fiercely protective. Loyal. She might even throw a Cape Cod in the face of your nemesis. You know, the kind of person you always want on your side.
However, behind that boisterous Mama Bear exterior lies the most enormous, the most feeling heart you could ever encounter. In all honesty, she’s a total sap.
I distinctly remember shortly after Moira’s birth, beached out on her couch with my own pregnant belly, talking about what an independent spirit her firstborn was. “Little Miss Thing (as she would call Celia) sure isn’t into the whole cuddling and hugging bit”. I remember nodding, thinking that Celia was a smart little girl because, well, touchy-feely people are STRANGE. Just at that moment, Celia sauntered over to Shana and gave her a huge bear hug, and as I looked over at my favorite fierce Mama Bear, I saw tears welling up in her eyes.
I remember hoping I could be a mother like that one day. One who cares so deeply about her babies that the simple act of a day-to-day hug could fill them with so much love that the tears flow.
I can’t begin to fathom what Shana, Rich and the girls are going through right now. To be honest, I won’t even allow myself to envision losing my child. What I do know is that they need all the positive thoughts and prayers that you can give them right now. Shana is so thankful for all of your love and concern – it has lifted her spirits tremendously.
I’ve been trying to think of what I can do right now, 1,400 miles away, to help before heading to Oklahoma. I’ve set up a Paypal donation button for anyone who wants to help Shana’s family with the expenses of Thalon’s hospital stay and funeral services. Please feel free to use the button on your website to help spread the word.
Donations would be greatly appreciated, but your thoughts and prayers are just as welcome.
Swistle
April 13, 2009 at 11:03 amOh no. Oh no.
Lara
April 13, 2009 at 11:08 amWhoorlie-girl, this is beautifully written and just perfect all around for such an awful, horrible, terrible thing. My heart goes out to this family and to everyone who knows them in person.
Aimee Greeblemonkey
April 13, 2009 at 11:13 amSarah, I seriously can’t believe this. Please tell Shana we are all thinking of her.
mihow
April 13, 2009 at 11:17 amI am without words but feel I need to say/write something. I am so very sorry for Shana’s loss. I really have no idea what to say or think anymore…
kim s.
April 13, 2009 at 11:43 amThank you for writing about Shana and her family. She is a great friend and my heart breaks for her. So many friends and I have been wanting to do something but didn’t know what to do. Thank you for setting up the fund for Thalon!
Auds at Barking Mad
April 13, 2009 at 11:45 amThere just are no words. None.
My heart aches the ache of a mother who has buried a child, for Rich and Shana. I didn’t think, after hearing the news of Maddie, that I could cry any more tears. Then I read the news about Thalon this morning and the tears started anew.
Please know that my heart and prayers go out to Rich and Shana, Celia and Moira. I’ll keep them lifted in thought and prayer as long as they need it.
TexasRed
April 13, 2009 at 11:48 amTragic! I am linking to your post to give people more information.
cindy w
April 13, 2009 at 12:33 pmI made a small donation. I don’t know Shana and hadn’t heard of her blog before this past weekend (when people on Twitter started sending around prayer requests), but this is so, so sad. If something like this happened to us, I can only hope that strangers would be so kind as to help us out too.
jodifur
April 13, 2009 at 1:49 pmjust gave. It’s just too much.
Nicole
April 13, 2009 at 3:45 pmI just cant wrap my mind around this. I will pray for their family.
Amy
April 13, 2009 at 7:16 pmi just got chills. makes me sick to my stomach. you are a good friend whoorl.
Nenette
April 14, 2009 at 5:28 amSo much sadness. My heart breaks for Shana and her family. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.
Leah
April 14, 2009 at 11:01 amUnbelievable. Let us all hug our babies extra for Thalon and Shana.
Vanessa
April 14, 2009 at 2:18 pmMy heart breaks for them. I will be praying for Shana, her husband and girls.
Tammy and Parker
April 15, 2009 at 11:02 amI’m thinking perhaps you are the amazing kind of friend here as well.
Such a precious life lost. My heart aches in unison with the rest.