Stories of Lost Children
My Sweet Boy, Gone Too Soon
by Christie McGuire, Roseville, CA, U.S.A.
On Monday July 26th, 2004 my son, Nathan and daughter Caitlynn and I got ready and drove to daycare. I was so glad that I was one of Nathan’s daycare teachers because I got to spend Nathan’s last hours on earth with him. He had his snack & played outside with the rest of the kids as usual. Then when when we got home, he said his tummy hurt and he ran and laid down on the couch. He soon fell asleep. I fed Caitlynn and put her down for a nap and then walked back through the living room & Nathan was still alive & breathing (This was the little boy who NEVER took a nap for me). I just figured he didn’t feel well (flu season) so I went into my room and took a nap myself. Then when I woke up I got up and walked into the living room and I looked at him, I knew something was wrong. I ran over to him and turned him over...and screamed, ”Oh my god, he’s dead!” I laid him on the floor to give him CPR (being in childcare, you have to be CPR certified and I thought that I could still save him) while at the same time dialing 911. I was hysterical on the phone with the 911 operator yelling that they weren’t coming fast enough and what else I should do because the CPR was not working. I ran outside with the phone and screamed for someone to help me. Right then the firemen showed up and rushed into the house. I was panicking and begging them to save my son. They said they would do everything they could. The sheriff’s department showed up and took me into my room to calm me down and talk to me. It seemed like I waited for hours to find out if my son would be OK or not. I started feeling sick to my stomach from all of the crying. Then one of the firemen came in and said the words no parent should ever have to hear, ”I am so sorry but, Nathan has passed.” I screamed, ”NOOOOO!!!” I begged him to tell me this wasn’t true, that it was just a nightmare. I could not lose my son! Death is too final! You mean I'll never see him again? This cannot be happening to me! But unfortunately it all was true and I will never be the same. A part of me died that day. No parent should have to go through the agony of finding their child's lifeless body & then have to bury them. No words can describe the devastation we feel over his loss. We still do not have answers as to what happened to him. He was not sick, had no symptoms of any kind. According to his doctors and everyone that knew him, everyone saw him as a very healthy boy. We miss our little guy who brought so much joy, energy and laughter into our lives. Nothing will ever be the same without his voice, giggles & smiles around us everyday. He was dearly loved and will be missed by the hundreds of people who knew him. Please pray for answers as to what happened and also strength for our family. Thank you!
Please visit www.nathanmcguire.com
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