Warning! Sad Post

Warning... this is going to be a sad, contemplative post.

I love talking to my sister about my niece's cute antics and funny stories. Even her misbehavior and poopy and pee stories are enjoyable. While I look forward to having funny stories of my own to tell, two specific events in the past week or so have impressed upon me the tenuousness of life, the grave responsibility of raising children, and the bumps and sorrows that parenthood might also bring. When you open yourself up to unconditional love, you also become unimaginably vulnerable.

Kim Family of San Francisco
The biggest story out on the West Coast right now is the story of the Kim family -- James and Kati Kim -- from San Francisco. SK and I first read a front page newspaper story about the missing family of four (Korean-american dad, Caucasian wife, and two young girls, 4 years and 7-mos. old) when we visited Portland, OR this past weekend. Since then, SK and I have been following the developments as search and rescue teams looked for the beautiful young family who were taking a nice family vacation from Seattle to San Francisco over the Thanksgiving holiday. I've been incredibly moved to see the brave mother protecting and feeding her young children and keeping them warm. My heart reached out to the resourceful father (with the too-familiar Korean-American face) who ventured out in the cold wilderness to find help.

Unfortunately, if you've been following the story, you'll know that the dad got lost in the rugged Oregon woods and died while trying to get help. This family could easily be us in the near future or my sister's family! The elements are all too familiar: Young family. Cute kids. Family road trip. Naively venturing out in bad weather. I told SK last night that if we were ever in that situation, I wasn't going to let him leave our side, that we were going to stay put and together as a family unit until help came to us!

Prayers for Matthew
So, do you remember my happy little blog from a month ago about our outing to the suburbs where we carved pumpkins, played with kids and enjoyed a big family dinner? One of the little boys, Matthew (the boy who commented about SK's remarkable eating capacity), has had a brain tumor. It was a pre-existing condition and he was recently undergoing radiation treatment. When we saw him in October, SK and I noticed that his motor skills and speaking ability were significantly handicapped since we last saw him in May. Part of the reason we have these family dinners and outings is to to maintain a sense of normalcy and have Matthew enjoy himself.

Unfortunately, the doctors discovered last week that despite the treatment, the tumor continues to grow and a large cyst surrounds the tumor. Last night, eight-year-old Matthew was in surgery to have the cyst drained and the tumor removed. The tumor is much bigger than originally thought and while the surgeon tried to remove as much of the necrotic mass as possible, the prognosis is not good.

This has been unbearably difficult for Matthew's parents and the tragic turn of events has even taken a toll on his 3-year-old brother (who doesn't understand all of what is going on, but has expressed that he is scared for his older brother).

I'm overly emotional these days anyway from my pregnancy, so whenever I think about this family, I struggle to hold back tears... Here are some prayer requests from the family:

1) Matthew would be protected from any type of virus or bacteria while at the hospital and after his surgery. Matthews immune system is weakened from the Decadron (anti-inflammatory medication) and radiation so he is more susceptible for infection.
2) Strength and energy for the parents and other family members.
3) For a miraculous healing of Matthew from the brain tumor and that the cysts would start to drain. Pray that the hands of Dr. Edwards would be moved to get most of the dead necrotic tissue and spare all of the healthy tissue.
4) Pray that Matthew's balance and fine motor control would eventually be restored. That he would have a quick recovery from surgery. He will be in the ICU for at least 2-3 days. The fear is Matthew may have difficulty weaning from the ventilator. His body temperature will be cooled for the surgery so this will also make the recovery process more difficult.

Heb. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as were are yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence ... that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

John 15:7 If you abide in Me and My words abide in you ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you.