Today was a pretty somber day in the Alcina house. My 12-year-old son, Gage, had a friend over Friday to spend the night. Thursday, his father suffered a very serious stroke. His mother wrote me Friday morning and let me know that he still wanted to come and spend the night if he could because he had been at the hospital most of the night/day with her and his dad was put into an induced coma. From the experience of having a Dad that was hospitalized quite a bit when I was young, I know ICU it’s not an ideal place for a child to be. I think she thought it would be good for him to get away for a little while and we agreed so Gary picked him up early that afternoon.

The boys had a really good time wrestling and playing video games and just laughing and cutting up, but there were moments that you could tell he was lost into his thoughts. At one time he told Gary that he had a feeling his dad wasn’t going to make it. It really upset Gary. He kind of pat-hugged him and told him it was gonna be okay. I saw him wipe his eyes as he walked off. Gary and I talked about it in bed last night and we called all the kids in and prayed for his Dad and family.

Unfortunately, when I woke up this morning, his mother called and let me know she needed to come get him because his father was not going to be here much longer. I think we all kinda expected that. Thankfully, she was able to get him and get back to the hospital in time so he could tell his father goodbye.

It has all really affected all of us and we don’t even know them. The boys had been planning this spend the night for quite some time but every time something would come up or one of the kids would be sick and it just kept not happening. It’s almost like it was supposed to happen today.

Unfortunately, Gage has had a lot of experience with grief. Losing my Mother was almost like losing another parent for him and he was also very close to my brother. There’s a part of me that felt like it was supposed to happen like this. His friend is new at school and doesn’t know many people, and his mother let me know that she doesn’t know many people here either, but I assured her that we will be here for her and her kids in anyway that we possibly can.

She has five children, two of which suffer from pretty serious Autism and I just can’t even imagine losing my spouse so young with that many children, but it happens.

Gage has been texting with him off and on all evening and I’m so glad that he can be a friend and support to him. He’s mature enough to do that and has such a sweet heart. He came to Gary and I immediately and asked if we could say another prayer for Zack and his family. I love that my kids come to us for prayer as their first solution to things. It makes me very proud.

Anyway, we have all just felt pretty bummed out ever since he left. It sure makes you think about what’s important love my babies, but they are growing up really fast. I really like the people they are becoming.

I’m going to try to order some meals for them this week, because my back isn’t up to making them, and just try to assure her that I will gladly help in any way I can. 🤍