July 10, 2016

Heaven's New Angel

Her name was Shanna Kay Osborn. She was the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen, and I loved her with my whole heart. Today we had to say goodbye, as her Father in Heaven called her home. She was too perfect for this world. She had come here to love us and give us so much happiness, and fulfill the mission here on earth. She received a beautiful broken body, and now she is without limitations or pain. There will always be a piece missing in our world here on earth. The day we will be able to see her again, will be one of great joy and one we will strive to be worthy of.

The day she came into this world, I fell in love. She was so perfect and pure. We could not believe that our Father in Heaven would trust us with such a special spirit. It radiated from her, and who ever held her fell in love with her instantly. Many of the doctors and nurses went out of their way to check on her and see how she was doing. I think it might have been because she was surrounded by angles helping her through the hardest thing she would face in her little life. After pleading with our Father in Heaven to help her get through surgery, and begging to be able to take her home. That day will forever live in my memory.
The Day I met her. April 17, 2016
Days before surgery. She was so beautiful!

We took her home on May 12, 2016 and were ready for whatever came our way. We knew she would not be like other babies, and would need more support and help doing the little things. Her care was a 24/7 job, and we were so happy and willing to do it. Every day was a blessing we were given to get to know her and love her. Although our life was interrupted by many doctor visits, Shanna was a trooper. She was a warrior princess and took every challenge like a champ. I will never forget those sweet smiles. It was a gift to us to be able to hold her and comfort her in those trying times. She sure loved to cuddle, and we did too. Our neglected house was definitely a testament to that, and I will never regret that.
Moments we shared at home
The first time we took her to church
Right before started tummy time... She hated it!
Carter was so proud of her.
Father’s a Sons was Friday night, and I LOVED every minute of having that little girl to myself. Even though it was hard to get up every 3 hours to change her feeding pump, I loved getting up and just staring at her. She was so perfect still and I loved every molecule of that sweet baby girl. Saturday night when Jason and Carter were home, it was as if she was trying to tell us something. Finally at about 4am, we brought her into bed to cuddle with us. Little did we know, those would be some of the last moments we would have with her here on Earth. As 7:30am on Sunday July 10th came around we noticed a different cry. She then became cold and blue. We decided then that we needed to get her help. We started getting her ready, and I watched as our sweet baby stopped breathing. I could not believe what was happening, it did not seem real, and was as if my worst nightmare was playing before my eyes.


One of her cuddles. I think I held her for about an hour.
The ambulance got there shortly after, although it seemed like gruling hours of CPR. I jumped in with her without any shoes, and had no idea that hours later I would be holding her lifeless body, and saying good bye. It was so hard to watch them try to bring her back to life. I felt so sick and wanted to throw up. A piece of me was laying on that hospital table without a heartbeat. Jason and I left the room and held each other so tightly. I don’t think I have ever cried that hard in my life nor do I ever care to cry that hard again. My heart was breaking. Her spirit was gone, and there was no bringing it back no matter how hard we tried.
One of the last pictures I took of her
The rest of the day only got harder. We had so many wonderful friends and family to try to lift us. Many tears and prayers were said. Even the EMT team came and wept with us. We sat and held our baby girl together as we thought of the hole that would always be in our hearts. The worst moment of my life, that I will ever experience, was having to let go of her sweet body. No one should ever have to feel the pain that I had to feel as I let go of her lifeless body, knowing I would never hold her again in this life.
I will never forget the bond they shared.
Going home was another kind of pain. Everywhere I looked screamed Shanna. Her bottles in the fridge, her car seat waiting for us to put her in it. The oxygen tank that we had to carry around with us. The feeding supplies, her clothes, her bed, all of it. I am so thankful for my Aunt and Uncle who got to our house first and put most of those things away. I don’t know if I could have handled seeing her jammies we ripped off of her as we started CPR, or the milk all over the floor that came from her little mouth as we did compressions. Scenes that will forever play in my head.


Although this hurts so bad… I know that we will see her again. I know that we will be able to raise her and hold her when we finally leave this earth. It gives me hope and helps me to make changes to my life so that I will be worthy of seeing her again. Oh Shanna girl… we will always love you and we will miss you every day, until we meet again baby girl. Until we meet again. 

19 comments:

  1. Clarissa I am so unbelievable sorry you had to let her go. I am astonished that you were able to write something as beautiful as this while going through the torment you are.
    Know you are loved by so many here, but especially by your Father in Heaven who need her more then you did. Prayers and love being sent your way!

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  2. Clarissa I am so unbelievable sorry you had to let her go. I am astonished that you were able to write something as beautiful as this while going through the torment you are.
    Know you are loved by so many here, but especially by your Father in Heaven who need her more then you did. Prayers and love being sent your way!

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  3. I havent stopped praying for you all day. You can do this! She is so lucky to be in your family. You are such a great family. Grateful for the gospel today!!!
    -Jani

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  4. Clarissa, your words are beautiful. You are an amazing person. I know that no words can make you feel better, but remember that over time you will start to do better. I'm sure that no one can truly understand your pain, unless they have been through it, but know that you are loved. I'm so, so sorry this had to happen to you and your precious family. My heart aches for you. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. May you all find peace of mind, strength, and courage. xoxo

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  5. Sitting here reading your blog with tears in my eyes. I'm am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby girl. You guys have gone through so much in your young age. My her wonderful memories lessen your pain. I'm sure Gramma Sandy was waiting with open arms. God bless you!

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  6. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story. We love your little family so much and admire your strength and courage. We will continue to pray for you all to have continued strength and courage!

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  7. I'm so sorry! Heartbreaking! Your strong faith will carry you through the tough days ahead. Always remember there are so many people who love and care about you!

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  8. Clarissa you are the sweetest and strongest of us all. That is why God chose you and Jason as Shanna's parents for her brief journey. We love you guys so much.

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  9. What a beautiful testament to a beautiful little spirit of our Heavenly Father. She was sent to you because of your love, spiritual strength and most importantly your knowledge that families are indeed forever. I hope you will find peace in knowing she is once again in her Heavenly Father's care. Prayers and hugs to you and your sweet family.

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  10. Nothing can replace such a beautiful baby girl. I know that Shanna will always be proud of the amazing mother she has. The love you gave and continue to give to that sweet girl is eternal. In a way I am envious of you because you understand now much better how much the Heavenly father loves us by sending his son. We love you! Thank you for being such a strong example.

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  11. Clarissa, we love you so much! I cried reading your blog and remembering so many of those feelings. Losing our little girl was the hardest thing I ever want to go through. I pray the Lord will help you feel peace and send you the comfort of the Holy Ghost. I'm carrying you in my heart.

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  12. Oh Clarissa, my heart is broken for you guys. Thank you for sharing, we love & miss you guys and hope you find peace & comfort through this awful time. You & Jason are strong people, and together, will see her again! Hugs & prayers sent your way!

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  13. Love you so much sweet girl! Words cannot describe how my heart breaks for you. Seriously holding back tears. You will be in my prayers. I love you, and you are a strong woman, and a wonderful example to me. You can do hard things.

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  14. You guys have already gone through a lot, and now you have a precious little angel. I know some of the experience you have had. We had our own little angel. The morning we lost her, she had just rolled over from her back to her front. She had an enlarged heart so it made her a little upset because she wasn't comfortable. She'd had heart problems since birth but not to the extent we had to do more than watch her closely when she ate and hold her differently.

    My family had talked me out of taking her on my errands that day and said to, instead, have a babysitter watch her. Her car seat tipped upside down in the back, which I didn't see or hear until I stopped to pick up the sitter. I frantically picked up her seat with her lifeless body in it. The babysitter's mother drove us quickly to the hospital while I worked on her.

    The hospital ER staff took her from me - I didn't know if I'd see her again alive at that point. I called the farm where Brett was working to get him to the hospital, off the tractor. I also called the Pediatric Cardiologist who was monitoring her and had already arranged for surgery the following week. He said he was sending Life Flight to pick her up (we were about 50 miles away). I had an older child but don't even know how she got home with Grandma - not that I was being neglectful but I knew she was okay.

    I had to ask the ER if she was still alive (you'd think they would let us know). They told us that she was breathing on her own. Just before Life Flight arrived they let us see her. She wasn't really moving much, just had labored breathing. Then they bundled her up and took off.

    We said some very heartfelt prayers on the way to the hospital - an excruciating, forever hour drive. By the time we got to see her the doctors and nurses had decided to put her on a respirator to give her tiny body a rest. That night was very long and definitely sleepless. We discussed what we'd do if she came out of this as not much better than a vegetable - we loved her so much so that really wouldn't matter to us as long as we had her.

    In the morning they performed an EEG to see how much brain activity was going on. Compared to the test the night before, there was less activity and they said that she probably wouldn't make it.

    They arranged to have us hold her, one last time. She had all kinds of tubing for various life-saving processes all over so it took some doing. I held her for a bit then carefully passed her over to Brett. He gave her a sweet blessing, telling her if she had to leave, we'd let her go. Then he handed her back over to me and, within about 10 mins, she was gone back to her Heavenly Father.

    We are so grateful to be her parents and feel special to have this angel and, later, a little brother who joined her. It's hard at first but gets a little easier as time goes on. It's been almost 30 years ago but sometimes seems like yesterday. Nothing helps more than the sweet peace and comfort give through our Savior, Jesus Christ. You have an amazing family and friends. Let them help you if they can and know that she is in a better place, even though you will miss her terribly until you can raise her later on.

    Love you guys!
    Karen

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  15. Sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful baby .

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  16. Carissa and Jason, both of you are made out of hardy, unrelenting pioneer stock. With two young children of my own, I can only imagine what you've been through to see your sweet, truly beautiful girl you carried make her way to heaven so soon. I'm amazed at how alert she is and how well-defined her features are in the photos you posted. I have faith that the wrongs made right and the wounds healed by the Savior's atonement will bring exquisite joy that washes away the pain. If I can be help to you, please let me know.

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  17. Carissa, Heavenly Father sent that sweet baby girl to Angels here on Earth. I have no doubt there were countless unseen angels in attendance for each of you, throughout this challenge. But Your willingness to love hers so completely, and leave that imprint on that spirit, will not be forgotten. Blessings to you and your sweet family, for peace, and comfort. But also for JOY in the memories of a life well lived! Your willingness to share your sweet daughter's life here, is yet another proof that it is not how long we have here, but what we do with the time, that matters most. Sending love and prayers for you and your family.

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  18. Jamie F Patten7/14/2016

    I am so sorry for your loss. I had been thinking about you and my mom let me know about your sweet girl.You are truly being tested and the strength, optimism and faith and insight you have is so evident in your writing. May you continue to be uplifted and feel the Peace only He can give. Praying for you all and sending bear hugs from Rexburg!!

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