Laying Jenny to Rest

Hello friends! It’s been a while. I’m still feeling kind of blah. Babies are doing great– we have what is alternately known as “The Big Reveal” or “Child Identification Day” bright and early Thursday morning– but I’m still exhausted, nauseated, and occasionally homicidal. But before I drift off to sleep to catch a few zzz’s before one of the babies tap dances on my bladder, I wanted to share with you a story of an amazing family.

I met my friend Kathy, her husband John, and their two children through our homeschooling group. Kathy and I bonded over a love for children’s literature and laughed over our two quirky boys. We watched our daughters develop a friendship, and when Kathy and John opened their hearts and home to take in one more child, I was amazed.

Jenny desperately needed someone to love her and care for her. In danger of being placed in foster care, her Aunt Kathy and Uncle John took her in and gave her home. Jenny came with many physical, mental, medical, and emotional challenge, but her family loved her and cared for her and gave her a stable, loving home.

Not only did they meet her most immediate physical and emotional needs, they also juggled her many medical needs. They made sure she took her multitude of medications (and they were many! I saw the pill box on a play date), they also gave her dialysis on a daily basis. They waited with her for a kidney to become available. They prayed for her. They loved her.

When a kidney became available, the state made the decision to go ahead with the transplant. Sadly, Jenny’s body rejected the kidney. Even worse, she threw a clot, splitting the kidney and sending her into cardiac arrest and a coma. Deprived of oxygen, Jenny suffered irreversible brain damage. The state made the decision to discontinue dialysis and life support, and Jenny died less than 24 hours later.

When Jenny died, she ceased to be a ward of the state. Custody immediately reverted back to her parents upon her death. There was no insurance to cover her burial, no money to lay this poor little girl to rest. The best the state could offer was that her family donate her body to science, and in thanks, they would cremate her. This is unacceptable.

From now until Sunday, July 25, I am donated 100% of any Seasons of Joy sales to Jenny’s burial fund. I would urge you, if you’ve thought about purchasing any of the ebooks, to please do so now. Spread the word!

If you’re moved to make a direct donation, no matter how small, please visit Laying Jenny to Rest where you can make a donation, no matter how small or large, through Paypal.

And if you’re not in a position to give, please pray. Pray for the repose of Jenny’s soul, free at last from all physical pain. Pray prayers of thanksgiving that this dear little girl had one year of being loved the way she deserved to be loved. Pray prayers of blessings on the family that gave her a home. Pray that we can find a way to lay Jenny to rest.