On September 18, 2007 our little Hayden wandered into the neighbors pool, climbed the ladder and fell in. The pool had been up all summer. We will never know why that particular day he decided to climb that ladder. The awful turmoil of events from that moment on is kind of a blurr. My grandson was only 2 years old. He is an outgoing, loving, caring, happy little boy. How could this happen?
Just the thought of something terrible happening to him before that day would make me sick to my stomach.
That Tuesday was a usual day for everyone. Hayden's Dad went to work. His mom went to work. I was at work. By the end of the day, everyone was ready to get home. Daddy came home and took a shower and laid down on the bed. Mom came home and started to cook dinner. The rest of the family wanted to go outside to put up Halloween decorations. Well, this was Hayden's favorite holiday. This little man was not one to be afraid of the BooBoo's. His favorite color was orange.
Our little man was not one to be reckoned with. If he wanted to go out with the rest of the family, that's where he was going! I was sitting in my car at work and decided to work on my bankbook. I would normally call Hayden's mom around 6:00 pm to see what was going on. On this particular day I waited until around 6:15. Something inside of me told me to stop and call her. My daughter-in-law answered the phone screaming at the same time and ambulance drove past with sirens blareing. I knew in my heart that this was not good. I wondered if I could get to the hospital behind the ambulance to save him. As they took the gaurney out of the ambulance I looked at my son and I knew at that moment that all hope of bringing our precious baby boy back to us was impossible. Where would we go from here. I couldn't breath. My heart seemed to end at that very moment. I watched at the door as the hospital staff tried to do all they could possibly do to revive Hayden. That was when one of the social workers pushed me out of the doorway. I went to find Hayden's dad (my son) to try to console him. I felt like I was dreaming and when I woke up all this would be over. Hayden would come running through the big swinging door and laugh. "Aaaay Nana". And I would laugh and tell him "Haaay Hayden".
The day Hayden was born I was truly blessed. I felt the same way when my son Kyle (Hayden's dad) was born. This little bundle of sunshine looked so much like his father, from the day he was born, everyone thought Kyle's baby pictures were Hayden. Hayden brought so much joy into our family. He is truly my and my husband Billy's heart. Our lives will forever be changed for having such a wonderful blessing brought to us.