Part II

After we had been home from Mya's party for about 15 minutes, Jim got a call from Kelly. He requested that we keep Mya away from the windows because the ambulance was coming for Scout. I cranked up the music and the girls were dancing in Jemma's room.

My thoughts were that this was just another trip to the hospital for Scout. I went over and got Piper, so both Merin and Kelly could be with Scout. We told Mya that she could have a sleepover with Jemma and it was like the perfect ending of the day for her! They were so happy playing dress up and eating dinner together! We even had take out Chinese because I had not been to the commissary as I had planned earlier, and they love lo mein noodles!

It was just before 7pm, when I was trying to get a very fussy Piper to sleep that Jim gave me the news. Scout's heart had just given out. Yes, Scout had been "sick" and had lots of issues for a long time, but I just was not expecting it. She had just held my finger and given me a smile a few hours earlier. She had been fighting and healing for so long... I was heartbroken for the Shekitka family. I held Piper and sang and she fell asleep in my arms... it was almost as if she had known...

Mya got ready for bed at our house and then I took her home to wait for her parents. She was on cloud 9... birthday party, presents, playing with Jemma... I knew what was about to come and I could not do anything. It was such a heartwrenching and difficult time when Merin told her about Scout. I sat with our other neighbors in a separate room and listened to her cry... it is hard enough for an adult to deal with, but entirely painful for a little girl.

I stayed with Merin for a while, along with our wonderful neighbors Dave and Kara. It was a very difficult evening filled with tears, stories, and wine. I am very grateful that Kelly was home. I am very grateful that Jim was home. I cannot imagine this with them away.