Memories of Scott

When I started this blog, I truly thought it would be a documentation of Scott getting a liver transplant and a "happily, healthy ever after." As you know, that is not meant to be and the ending will be much different then I thought.  I knew there would be obstacles, bumps in the roads, struggles and that writing those would be difficult, but this, this is indescribable.

I'm not sure I'm cut out to write a grief blog, a my brother is dying blog.  The words I want to write are sad, depressing, and sometimes the things I think aren't very nice or spiritual.

Scott has life in him still.  But THIS IS NO LIFE.

He is essentially unconscious. He does not respond to us talking to him.  When we tried to re-position him last night, he did make some moaning noises that would literally BREAK YOUR HURT (and did ours).

He has not eaten or drank anything for over two days now.

He is so swollen.  His eyelids and lips are puffy.  

He is working very hard to breath now.  He is breathing noisily and those breaths appear labored and difficult.

I spent yesterday evening and last night at Scott's place.  It was so sad but also parts of it were "nice" We sat around Scott for most of the evening and told him we loved him.  We shared our favorite memories of Scott with one another and I'll share some with you.

From our Mom:
Scott got to play little league baseball before any other boys his age because his birthday falls early in the year.  Mom and Dad were so proud of their little athlete.  Most of the season...he sat on the bench.  One particular game, Scott got to play and was sent out to right field...you know the place where generally there isn't a whole lot of action.  Finally, a ball was hit straight to right field.  Everyone looked for Scott but could not see him anywhere on the field.  Mom finally spotted him at the swings, swinging away.

Scott went to his first day of school.  He didn't love it.  He came home and told Mom and Dad that "the farm needed him more" and he wouldn't be attending school anymore.

From Shaylie:
Scott and Shaylie were driving home from Logan.  Scott immediately turned the truck around and said he needed some radishes.  These radishes were growing in a field they just passed... He told Shaylie to get out and dig up some radishes for him.  The digging tool he gave her---some pliers! Shaylie said the radishes were about a foot under and there she sat digging up radishes, with pliers, while Scott smiled from the truck. Shaylie didn't know that Scott knew who's field it was and was getting a real kick out of this.  She extracted the radishes and brought it back to her Dad.  Scott took a big bite out of it and insisted Shaylie do the same.

From all the kids:
One year for Christmas, the kids had been arguing and fighting.  They were still quite young.  Scott decided that they would only be getting coal for Christmas.  Despite Janiece's protests on Christmas eve Scott didn't put out the kids toys and real presents.  Instead he had a large sac of coal that the kids woke up to Christmas morning.  After a few tears from the girls, with a huge smile, and big laugh Scott let the kids in on his little joke.

From Janiece: (and a few others)
Scott was terrible at keeping secrets!  He just was too excited to keep his surprise inside.  He couldn't wait to ask Janiece to marry him once he got that ring.

From Me:
When Shaunie was only a few years old, I was babysitting her at Scott and Janiece's house.  They had a little bum lamb outside. I looked out the window and saw that somehow that little lamb had gotten out of his pen. I opened up the door to try and catch the lamb and it ran right into the house! I finally got it out, but I did not want Scott (or anyone) to find out about this little escapade.  I triple checked that there were no signs of lamb entry and thought that I could keep my secret.  However, when Scott came home, I was just sure that somehow, sometime he was going to find out.  I had to tell him and I did.  He laughed and smiled and said "Hell April, I told you to tend Shaunie not the lamb!"

From Cody (Janiece's brother):
Cody told us a great story of Scott helping him train a colt.  I'm afraid I won't get the details correct, but I will try.  But if you see Cody, you need to hear his version.  Scott and Cody were training a colt named Misty.  Misty reared up and threw Scott off.  Cody was holding on for dear life to Misty's reigns and finally got her settled down.  Scott jumped up but said "he had had enough"  They got ready to leave when they saw a neighbors horse get out and run up the road.  Cody got on Misty and rode after the neighbors horse.  Unfortunately the neighbor's horse was hit by a truck.  Scott was close behind and of course even though he "had had enough" they got the trailer and stayed for a long time helping out the people involved in the accident.  That was Scott-always willing, always there to help.

From Deb (Janiece's Mom):
When Scott and Janiece were dating, the Coombs were having party up at Grandpa's Grove.  There was a large rope swing that overhung a lake.  You could swing out and drop into the lake.  Scott jumped on the swing...but he didn't let go.  He swung back and smacked right into the tree.  Deb, thought Scott had to be dead.  Scott couldn't stop laughing.

There were many moments of happy remembering last night.  But I also experienced one of the saddest moments of my life.  I know that whenever I think about it, I will cry.  A mother's love for her children is one of the strongest emotions on earth, I believe.

Scott stirred a little when my Mom, Dad, Melissa and I were huddled around him.  We started telling him how much we loved him.  My Mom, crying, bent down and kissed Scott and said "You've been a good son"

From one of my favorite Children's Book:

"I'll love you forever
I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be"


If any of you have memories of Scott you would be willing to share, we would love for you to write them here under the comments.  It brings some happiness into this dark world of sadness for all of us.