Angel Mia

Lately my thoughts and my heart have been drawn towards our friends we knew from when we lived in WA, the McDonald Family. Their little Mia was born a month before Ryan and at one point Mimi (her mommy) and I were both in nearby hospitals in Seattle with very sick babies. Mia was a miracle baby and successfully survived a heart transplant. Mimi came to visit me and Ryan in the hospital and was one of the few friends who met him. Mimi is one of the most special women I have ever met, and her whole family is so awesome. Jake really likes her husband John and her other kids Jensen and Ellie are so sweet and fun. Her youngest Sam was born soon after Caleb, so we were pregnant together for the second time in WA. Recently Mia was awarded a wish trip to Disneyworld by the Make a Wish Foundation. When they arrived Mia became very sick and several days later passed away. Words can't describe the grief I felt when I heard the news of this sweet family. My heart aches for all of them, the grandparents, Mimi and John, Mia's brothers and big sis. It brings me back to my nightmare, to my torment and pain and suffering that I would never wish on my greatest enemy (if I had one). When I heard the news, I was so angry, as I still am. She never got to go on her wish trip and I just asked myself over and over, why? Why did we have to lose Ryan, why did Mia only get four years? Why did Ryan only get four DAYS. It seems so unfair at times. And yet and the end of the day no matter how hard we kick and scream and want to control our lives, we have no control and there's nothing that can be done now. I wish I could wrap my arms around Mimi and cry with her, It helps knowing someone has been through some of those horrible pains, because unless you have gone through losing a child, you don't know and can never know the suffering. When I look at this sweet face I get tears every time. She was such a precious and sweet little girl, so beautiful inside and out like her mom. I will miss her so much. It was so neat following her little life after we moved away, watching her grow through seeing pictures and reading stories on her moms blogs. Her obituary is below. Stop by her blog if you want to read more. Please keep them in your prayers. www.mcdonaldfam.blogspot.com  Mimi, if you read this, I hope you know you and John and your sweet kids are in our daily thoughts and prayers, and I mean that! We are so sorry and we love you guys! xoxo

Mia Marie McDonald - 2008-2012 Mia Marie McDonald, beloved daughter of John and Marie “Mimi” Jensen McDonald returned home to her Heavenly Parents on October 8, 2012. Mia was born on July 8, 2008, in Seattle, Washington. Mia came into this world with challenges, but our baby girl came prepared to live life fully. Her family knew from the time of her birth that she would need a heart transplant. After many prayers on her behalf, Mia received the much awaited heart transplant when she was just four months old, from her angel heart donor Jacob. She is our little miracle and we feel blessed for every day we had with her. She had a special way of endearing others to her and connected with people everywhere she went. Her sunny and infectious personality would fill any room. She loved music and would dance instinctively. She loved singing primary songs, playing with her “babies,” coloring, eating “chocits” going to preschool, calling her “Aunt Nats,” giving “essimo kisses” and giggling. We will miss her affectionate, sweet, spunky and fun personality. This darling girl had a mischievous side and she would relish teasing her brothers and sisters, and loved when people would laugh when she said something funny. Mia exuded joy. Her tiny body radiated light every day of her life. Last week, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Mia’s special wish to meet Minnie Mouse in Disney World. Upon arrival, she became ill and after being hospitalized her heart stopped beating. Although her heart recovered, the trauma to her tiny brain could not recover from injuries incurred while they were trying to resuscitate her. Darling Mia never made it to Disney World, but she will be giving someone else the gift of life by now being on the giving end of organ donation. Although few, we will cherish the sweet years we shared with our golden curled beauty, Mia. She will be dearly missed by her parents, her brothers Jensen and Sam, and her adoring second mother, her sister Ellie. She is also survived by her grandparents Sid and Cindy Jensen of Midway, UT, Dean and Laura Conway of Spanaway, WA, and Vern and Carol McDonald of Lakewood, WA, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and 60 cousins. She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents Murray Giles, Fred and Aliene Jensen, Howard and Shirley Hallmeyer, and Floyd Vernon McDonald. We love you Miss Meena, our arms and hearts ache to be with you and hold you. We anxiously await the time when we will be reunited. “I missed you in na night!” Funeral services will be held at 11am on Saturday, October 13 at the Midway Stake Center. A gathering will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Friday Oct 12th, and one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Mia will be interred in the Midway Cemetery. Please join us in the celebration of her courageous, joyful, life.