2 Years Ago

Karson Michael Riggs was born on April 12^th 2008. The day he was born was one of the happiest days of our lives.  Shortly after he was born we knew something was wrong. He was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy on June 2^nd 2008. From that day forward we had to find our new “normal”.  Karson was a very happy little boy and we could see it in his beautiful eyes and  his quiet laugh (because it was hard to get enough air)he did have loud squeals though.   SMA brought different challenges to Karson.  He faced them with strength and perservance and never gave up. I can’t even count how many times he stopped breathing. He could have easily given up but he didn’t.One of the many lesson’s that Karson  taught us that true strength has nothing  to do with how strong your muscle’s are.  He fought so hard to be with us, so we fought hard for him.

  From the moment that Karson was diagnosed, we knew that our time with him  would be short. We always prayed that when he did pass that it wouldn’t be in a traumatic way and that he would tell us when it was time. On January 13^th 2011, Karson passed away in our arms.  I didn’t know if we were ever going to be happy again. Thank goodness for the knowledge and belief  that  this life is not the end and we will be with him again.

It’s two years later now and not a day goes by that we don’t think of him and miss him deeply. There are days that are filled with sadness but there are days of happiness too.  It’s not something you ever get over you just learn to deal with it. In October General Conference Elder Shayne M. Bowen gave a talk that was exactly how we feel. It’s “Because I Live, Ye shall live Also”. Even after 22 years he still feel’s like a piece of him is missing and he said he knows that won’t go away until he is with his son again.  I think people assume after a while you should be over it and that’s not how it is. It doesn’t mean that we don’t feel happiness  because we do. I prayed everyday Heavenly Father would take care of us and he has.

 This picture was taken on his blessing day. The next day he was diagnosed.

 We would try to have a little party every month for him because we didn't know if he would make it to his 1st birthday. He was three months here.

 This football that he has was given to him by one of his respiratory therapists (Denise Packard) at Primary Children's. He loved having his Daddy help him throw it.

 His last photo shoot with Jess. His 2year old pictures.

The 2 pictures above are of a letter that Hadley wrote to Karson to put in his casket. It says" Too Karson Brother I love you". Then the blanket was made by Jayme (Karson's Aunt) so we could keep him warm. She did it in one day. It couldn't have been more perfect for him.  Hadley has worried so much about him being cold and we just remind her that he has his cozy Toy Story blanket and it makes her feel better. 

Karson's flowers couldn't have been more perfect! Kristen (Karson's Aunt) did all of the Beautiful Flowers. I  let her decide how to do the flowers for his casket and it couldn't have been more perfect!

• If someone is reading this that knows one day they too will have to let their child go I want you to know that it’s going to be hard but you will be OK.