Reflections (August 27)*
(*note: we posted twice today, see next post for an update on Lucas’s condition)
We’ve started a morning ritual in which we sit on the floor of our new apartment, light a candle, and imagine positive images of our little guy – Lucas crying, laughing, being held in our arms without tubes coming out of him, and someday hiking with us in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest… It feels like these morning meditations not only help our state of mind, but might be helping Lucas too. All the fancy machines, medical knowledge, and highly trained specialists will ultimately play a part in his recovery, but so far they haven’t been enough to even figure out what’s wrong with him. Sometimes you have to turn to the cosmos and rely on positive spiritual energy to really make a difference.
As we meditated this morning, Krista concentrated not only on Lucas’s well-being but also that of the other 52 babies that currently reside in the Children’s Hospital NICU, many of whom are as sick or sicker than Lucas. In many ways we find ourselves well-prepared to deal with this challenge and those to follow: we have health insurance (through Burke’s job at CISPES), access to the best medical technology and professionals anyone could imagine, and the education to be able to both process the complex information the doctors are throwing at us everyday, and make tough decisions about how to proceed. So while many people have marveled at the enormity of the challenge that we’re facing (through Lucas), we actually feel very lucky to be in the position we are in, especially given the support of all our friends and family.
While Lucas is still getting most of our attention everyday, and while we really appreciate the energy he’s receiving from all of you, we’re trying not to lose perspective on everything else going on in the world, such as the intense suffering that many people experience, or the beautiful strength of those who struggle through such suffering everyday. So we’ll continue to keep in our hearts the 52 other babies in the Children’s hospital NICU, as well as young people all over the world who are fighting the odds.
And in thinking about life outside room 638 at Children’s Hospital, we want to close this reflection by remembering a dear old man who passed away 2 days ago and the ripe old age of 93. We met Julius Margolin when he was 90 and his musical career was just gathering steam after a lifetime of committed activism, which he continued until his death. We hope that Lucas not only lives to the age of 93 but that he follows in the footsteps of courageous souls like Julius.
Comments (12)
Melinda St. Louis
September 1st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Burke, Krista and Lucas, I am holding all three of you in the light. Your words and spirit are truly beautiful. I will also focus on imagining your healthy family hiking together in the mountains!
Sarah de la Torre
August 29th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Dear Krista and Burke,
I have been thinking about you both and little sweet Lucas every day and sending as many prayers and positive energy that I can! Thank you for writing this blog and letting us into your journey. You both are amazing and your spirit and attitudes are so impressive. Much love to you and Lucas!
Wendy Boorn
August 28th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Dearest Krista and Burke,
Even though I know you only through Susan, our few emails, and your blog, I feel very close to you both and your precious son, Lucas. I have read every word about your journey together and am very moved by the great love and dedication you have for each other and for your boy. As a psychotherapist who deals every day with families who have not cared well for their children, I can tell you that you guys are doing everything right, and Lucas is a lucky little guy to have you as his parents. (I know – you feel as though you are the lucky ones, because that’s how good parents feel!). Please know that I keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers every day and visualize the best outcome for all.
With love and deep respect, Wendy
nonna stansbury
August 28th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
.
Lucas is with me everywhere. Yesterday, I showed him crabs under the rocks by the shore, then we picked blueberries, took Bruno for a walk, rode our bikes and even went fishing.
The babies are coming this afternoon and we will light a candle and pray for him and all the other babies struggling with him.
I love you, Nonna
Cecilia...
August 28th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Thank you for your posts and updates!
One day, in the not too distant future, I will see Lucas Camilo running around with the other children in the mountains of El Salvador and eating a big-old pupusa de ayote en Los Planes…
My daily thoughts and positive energy are with you and all of those suffering around the world.
Abrazos fuertes y solidarios!
Tia Ashley
August 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Daddy Burke-
It is so great to see you holding sweet Lucas. And yes, I think your words are wise and true- out thoughts are with Lucas, the 52 other babes and the many people struggling all over the world.
Madden and I plan to light a candle for Lucas when we are up at Whidbey today. While I don’t think our meditation session will last an hour (we will be lucky with 5 minutes), we will be sending positive energy, strong love and happy thoughts of Lucas playing with us on the beach in later days.
I love you all and am thinking of you always…
Ashley
p.s. Ellody and Tya have been sitting here watching while I have been writing this and are chanting “baby Lucas” in the background:)
Tracy
August 28th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Hey,
After visiting all of you yesterday and reading everyone’s postings here, I’ve been thinking a lot about how much our organizing work has taught all of us a a community of friends about struggle and solidarity, and how much great solidarity you are giving to Lucas and the other 52. Just like in the rest of the world, we almost always can’t take the struggle away, but I think we are blessed to know, more than most people get to, how strong everyday people can be and how much strength we can lend through reflecting back that we see someone’s struggle and believe they can logar. I’m sure Lucas feels that faith from you.
Much love,
Tracy
Tio Sha
August 28th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Burke and Krista,
Today I spent a lot of the day at the Rosemount Center in Mount Pleasant leading a workshop with teachers of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. All day I was having these great images of Lucas popping into my mind. First he was about 18 months old and we were making an artsy mess with paint and paper on the floor, laughing and clapping together. Then he was 2 or 3 and we were collecting flowers and leaves in the park. Then later I even had this image of him as a 5 or 6 year old with a missing tooth and asking me all sorts of great smart questions. His hair was getting in his eyes and I was noting that it was time to give him another haircut. Maybe your morning meditations have already permeated further than you imagined.
Lots of love ~ Sha
Paola Sandoval-Moshenberg
August 28th, 2009 at 12:03 am
All my positve thougths are with Lucas Camilo and you both. He keeps proving to be a strong baby, who will overcome the many difficulties he is having so early in life at his own pace… just wait and see.
All my love!!!
Paola
john ryan and jody foster
August 27th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
dear Burke and Krista,
Jody and I read your blog every day and are hoping the best for both of you and Lucas. I am an adult surgeon and know surprisingly little about premature infants and the “life in the nicu”. I do have a 25 year old nephew who weighed one kilogram at birth, was nicknamed Killer Graham, and now has a MBA and is a delightful young man.
I am writing to compliment both of you on the clarity and thoughtfulness of your words and the compassion and wisdom you have for your situation and those families and babies that surround you now.
We hope for good news soon.
John
john and patsi waller
August 27th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Dear Burke, Krista, and Lucas,
Due to dealing with John’s terminal cancer we have just heard of Lucas’s birth and sturggle with life. We have already said a prayer for all of you and will continue to do so each and every day. May God grant you strength and peace as you travel this difficult road. We, like you, are amazed at the courage of others who are suffering and will pray, too, for those 52 others at your hospital.
Blessings on you. Our love…
Mary G
August 27th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
You guys are awesome! Morning meditations sound like a perfect tool for staying grounded through such a demanding and high stakes time. I’m not a ‘believer’ of anything, but my experiences lead me to think there may well be a spirit life outside our known ‘reality’. So several times every day I send out a call to positive spirits to surround all three of you, wherever you may be, together or separate, with a bubble of light and energy, to protect you and nurture you. Could be it has no effect, other than to pacify me into thinking I’m doing something to help, when I can’t see any other way to help… yet… But it also could be that it might help. And I bet it can’t hurt! Muchos abrazos y besos!
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