Monday, January 5, 2009

Keegan we love you




There are not too many people that can come into your life and in less than a week have an everlasting impact for good. Let me introduce you to one such person. Keegan Jason Watson was born on Monday December 29, 2008 at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Due to his serious medical condition he was life flighted to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City. I was the first one to arrive at Primary Children's to meet the helicopter. The life flight nurse told me that she didn't expect him to make it through the night. After several hours the doctor was able to stabilize him. Meanwhile back at Utah Valley our hearts and prayers went out to my sister Katy (this is Greg writing) who was told that she would probably never see her baby again. After 6 days of a roller coaster of ups and downs baby Keegan slipped into eternity where he could live with God our Father for time and all eternity.

I can't help but think of Elder Lance B. Wickman's 2002 conference talk where he said, "As to the healing of the sick, He has clearly said: "And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed" (D&C 42:48). All too often we overlook the qualifying phrase "and is not appointed unto death" ("or," we might add, "unto sickness or handicap"). Please do not despair when fervent prayers have been offered and priesthood blessings performed and your loved one makes no improvement or even passes from mortality. Take comfort in the knowledge that you did everything you could. Such faith, fasting, and blessing could not be in vain! That your child did not recover in spite of all that was done in his behalf can and should be the basis for peace and reassurance to all who love him! The Lord—who inspires the blessings and who hears every earnest prayer—called him home nonetheless. All the experiences of prayer, fasting, and faith may well have been more for our benefit than for his.

I know that the fasting and faith and prayers was for our families behalf. He was able to receive his body and to be hurried home to live forever with that God who gave him life. As I was looking at my 6 month old son Skyler yesterday I was overcome with the overwhelming spiritual impression that they knew each other before they came here and I was saddened not only for Katy and Jason's loss but for Skyler's. He lost his best friend. I will always remind him that he needs to work hard and be faithful so that he can return to be where Keegan is.

His life will not be lost in vain. I have already recommitted my life and my focus so that I can be where he is. Jason and Katy are my inspiration. I could not have asked for such a wonderful sister and brother in-law. I can't help but get emotional as I think of their last interaction with Keegan when the decision was made that he needed to be taken off life support. He was wrapped up in a blanket where he was brought to his mother where she was able to hold him for the first time until he literally breathed his last breath and was taken home to that God who gave him life where he will live forever in celestial glory.

7 comments:

Holly said...

That was so beautiful Greg. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family.

George and Holly

Anonymous said...

Thank you Greg for that entry. It is absolutely beautiful! We are praying for your family. We love you!

Jenny said...

Such a precious life...taken so early. Our prayers are with Katy and Jason and with the family. I will kiss my little ones tonight and thank God for their very breaths.

Anonymous said...

We love and miss you too little Keegan buddy! We are lucky to have an angel watching over our family. You are an inspiration Greg!

MaryAnn said...

Karen, thanks for your comment on my blog. This was good for me to read. My thoughts and prayers are with YOUR family right now - what a beautiful post by Greg.

Anonymous said...

Greg, thank you for such a beautiful reminder of how precious our children and families are. My prayers are with your family.

erin said...

oh my ... as tears are in my eyes, it is always good to remember how precious life is. is this the sister and brother-in-law we met? either way, send love their way.