Throwback Thursday~

This throwback Thursday goes back to one of my most favorite days in my life. On this day, many years ago my guess maybe June/July 2001? We as a family went out on our boat with Sue, Dustin, Selena and Brianna. You see the reason it was one of my favorite days is because previously to these pictures, Susan's son Dustin had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and on this day...that just didn't matter. Now I am going to struggle with dates and ages but I will do my best. The boys must have been 7/8 years old, Selena probably 6 yrs,  Kailey and Brianna were about 5yrs old.

Paul had drove down to the boat with Braden and Dustin that day and Sue and I took the girls. Paul remembers when he was driving with the boys they were doing math questions, Paul was quizzing them on math. Dustin was a smart boy especially for his age, he was on top of his class. He liked doing math, that my friend was right up Paul's ally.

 

Susan was going through a time in her life when mostly all of the parenting and hospital visits were completely on her. I don't want to go into specifics as I want to respect her privacy as well as her daughters. Sue was fortunate enough to have a support system to help her out where ever they could. But I want to make it very clear when I say..she was on her own. Although some may have been available during the day, watching the girls or assisting with Dustin. But at the end of the day when the sun set and the moon shined bright in the sky...that's when the alone set in. Those are the moments you know this battle is yours, she knew that and she did one hell of a job fighting it.

Sadly over time, Dustin lost his ability to walk and he was having to use a wheelchair for mobility. I could understand how Sue would have been feeling at that time. Its the hardest thing to see you child deteriorate right in front of you. Not to mention how much more difficult it is to go out on excursions by yourself with a special needs child and their siblings. Paul and I could totally get that, so we decided it would make a nice day to invite Sue and her gang to our boat. That way, Paul could do the lifting of both those special little boys.  

What an amazing day it was, one of my favorite memories of Dustin is watching him sitting there so calm, so peaceful just relaxing. I could see him taking in the rays of the sun and loving the warmth on his face. The picture below, the one of Sue and Dustin was a moment they shared together. He loved his momma, and I know he knew she loved him and she was doing her very best at that time. There's my hubby letting each kid drive the boat, Dustin loved it. He had complete control and he felt pretty special being Captain for the time.

Look how little the girls were, so sweet. I miss these days, it just seemed so much easier back then.

Can you see the bottom right picture of Braden and Selena...I mean could those two be any cuter!! ;)

After our boat ride we had a picnic at our dock. We had a small bbq, so we made some hot dogs and had salads and sweet treats as well. The boys played in the grass,  laughed and carried on like little boys should.

It was a day I will never forget, it was a day in my life that reminded me to take each day as they came. How quickly things can change, how fragile life really is. Dustin had a short time here with us on earth, and I still wonder today what life would have had in store for him.

Let me tell you, in the time we had with him he was one of those children who made a difference. Before his diagnosis he was one of the strongest supports Braden personally had, they were only little boys..and sometimes I do get angry, he was just a boy why did this happen to him?. I remember Sue and her ex husband and Paul and I going on day trips with the kids. Dustin being so young, always accepted Braden and seemed to understand Braden's needs better than most adults. He was always encouraging, I loved him (still do) for all he did not only for Braden but for me. A sad mom, just wanting her son to have a childhood, someone to play with. Dustin was just that, he was perfect and I will forever be grateful for the young brief friendship they had.

I am so happy I have these photos too share, I look back at them and smile. I am so blessed today to have Sue in my life, its a friendship that is honestly like no other. We connect, there's an understanding between us that I don't have with anyone else. I have to say thanks to these two little smiling happy boys on that boat...we are forever bonded.

Well my lovelies, I am wishing each one of you a wonderful Throwback Thursday. Until tomorrow goodnight and god bless~ xo