Yeah, losing my Mom was very hard, made worse because she absolutely refused to see a doctor for years and we knew her health was declining but we were powerless to do anything. I finally got her to the GP the month before she died. I had flown out with my brother for a whirlwind visit (my sister was to follow 2 months later).  My mom was suffering from very high blood pressure... by then she needed my dad to lift and support her around the house and used walking sticks etc too.... and she was always tired. I felt so sad for her. She literally stayed at home and had very few friends and lived across the world from me. Within weeks she was scurrying about unaided and felt fantastic on her meds... but then she became complacent, dropped them for a few days, went back after being scolded by myself and my brother... and then suffered a heart attack within weeks. Fortunately, we had had the discussion a year before about my feeling helpless and not wanting to have any regrets that I didn't do enough and she had told me then that it was her decision at all times to treat herself and not rely on doctors and that there was nothing I could say or do to change that... and that I should *never* ever feel guilty or have regrets about it if something should happen. 

I do pray that you experience the same sense of peace one day that I now have. I can look back with great fondness and love on my time spent with my mom, and not feel so empty anymore, and instead just be filled with love and gratitude for the incredible woman that she was in my life. I miss her, of course, I do... but my life is focused on my family now and providing my boys with the love and support that they need... and the wheel turns, right?

I think it's wonderful what you are doing with Kona... so special... he will touch so many young lives in such a positive and uplifting manner... truly beautiful. Would love to read more posts about his journey... I think he needs a diary of his own 💗 !LUV