Tragedy in Annie's class

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Rexer25 · #1 Post by **Rexer25** » Mon May 12, 2008 6:24 am

We got a phone call yesterday from the principal of the school the girls attend. One of Annie's classmate collapsed Thursday afternoon while fishing with his dad, and passed away on Sunday. I don't know all the details, but the boy had a brain aneurism. The abrupt nature of this death has brought home to me how quickly young lives can be changed or ended in such a short period of time. I'm afraid that will mean this bored will not be one of the first things I check at every opportunity. I love the sense of community in this place, and I imagine I will check in from time to time. But I feel a need to be more attentive to my family's needs, and be a better employee by concentrating on the tasks assigned me.

I hope everyone here who gets a chance to be on the show makes it to the hot seat, and that all of you are blessed every day. Please remember the family of Dakota Johnston in your prayers or thoughts.

See ya around.

MarleysGh0st · #2 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Mon May 12, 2008 6:54 am

Condolences to his family and to all his classmates. Annie is too young to have to deal with such a loss.

starfish1113 · #3 Post by **starfish1113** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:00 am

This is terrible. It is amazing how fragile our supposed stable, happy lives are.

What grade is Annie in?

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #4 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:01 am

That is so horrible! I feel so bad for Dakota's family and friends.

peacock2121 · #5 Post by **peacock2121** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:06 am

Rexer,

I am sorry that Annie and her classmates will be exposed to tragedy at such a young age.

I appreciate your realignment of your priorities. My hope is that we can fit in on a daily basis and still have you have your priorities in a place that work for you, your family and your employer.

a1mamacat · #6 Post by **a1mamacat** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:22 am

how dreadful and painful for that family.

Hugs to all involved.

kayrharris · #7 Post by **kayrharris** » Mon May 12, 2008 7:59 am

I appreciate the fact they notified parents and let them know about it.
It's very hard for little ones to have to deal with a loss of a friend or classmate.

Annie is in good hands with you and I wish you the best in helping her through this. Take care.

Rexer25 · #8 Post by **Rexer25** » Mon May 12, 2008 10:54 am

starfish1113 wrote:This is terrible. It is amazing how fragile our supposed stable, happy lives are.

What grade is Annie in?

Annie's in second grade.

tlynn78 · #9 Post by **tlynn78** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:12 am

Rexer, I know how you feel when one instant completely shifts your universe. Do what you gotta do. Remember everyone needs a little goofy in their life, and we got plenty of that when you're ready.

t.

Beebs52 · #10 Post by **Beebs52** » Mon May 12, 2008 11:56 am

I'm so sorry Rexer. You know we'll keep your seat warm here.

silvercamaro · #11 Post by **silvercamaro** » Mon May 12, 2008 12:40 pm

Rexer, when Adventure Boy was six, the little girl across the street -- and his best first-grade friend -- got the flu, then developed Reye's Syndrome. She died within days. AB was affected greatly.

In retrospect, I believe this was the pivotal event in his becoming a more considerate, helpful, and life-loving human being, which he has demonstrated in many ways, including his occupation. I hope it serves the same role in the lives of Annie and others who knew the little boy.

The death of a child can never be a good thing, but sometimes it may motivate others to do many good things.

peacock2121 · #12 Post by **peacock2121** » Mon May 12, 2008 3:20 pm

silvercamaro wrote:Rexer, when Adventure Boy was six, the little girl across the street -- and his best first-grade friend -- got the flu, then developed Reye's Syndrome. She died within days. AB was affected greatly.

In retrospect, I believe this was the pivotal event in his becoming a more considerate, helpful, and life-loving human being, which he has demonstrated in many ways, including his occupation. I hope it serves the same role in the lives of Annie and others who knew the little boy.

The death of a child can never be a good thing, but sometimes it may motivate others to do many good things.

Thank you for sharing that and for your perspective on what impact it had on Adventure Boy. I will remember it and share it, if I ever need to give comfort to the parents of a child who lost a friend or classmate.

T_Bone0806 · #13 Post by **T_Bone0806** » Mon May 12, 2008 3:36 pm

Can't think of anything sadder than the death of a young person. Best wishes in helping Annie cope with the things that are so hard to fathom at her age. Heck, at any age.

The first girl I ever had a real "boy-girl" crush on passed away due to cancer when I was all of 13. I know it shaped me in a significant way in all future relationships, although I'm sure I didn't think so at the time. For one thing, as I looked back on it much later, I realized that I did not have a real "crush" again for 2 years.

Young hearts shouldn't have to deal with the loss of peers. It's just wrong.
My thoughts and prayers will be with Annie and her classmates.

Rexer25 · #14 Post by **Rexer25** » Tue May 13, 2008 11:09 am

Quick update on Annie

She's seemingly fine. She knows Dakota is in Heaven, and that she won't see him again until she goes to Heaven. She says she'll miss him, but otherwise she's acting like a distant relative who she has seen a couple of times has passed away. It's strange to Mrs. Rexer and me because Dakota was the first boy to call our house and ask for Annie. She has indicated she'd like to go to the funeral. I don't know if she accepts that death is part of life, or what. The former children's minister from our church is coming over tonight to talk to both girls.

The school has done a wonderful job in handling the situation. Annie's class was given the assignment yesterday of writing letters to Dakota's parents. Some of the kids cried in class, and the teacher almost did. Additional counselors were at the school yesterday, and will be there for a few more days.

BTW, Thursday is a fund-raising Fun Run at the girls' school. If anyone would like to pledge to Annie or Molly, let me know (I am so sick of fundraisers, and I've got at least 11 more years. Blech.)

mellytu74 · #15 Post by **mellytu74** » Tue May 13, 2008 10:56 pm

Rexer --

Glad to see the school is handling it well. That's not an insignificant thing.

Know that we are sending Annie and her classmates and Dakota's family prayers from here.

Rexer25 · #16 Post by **Rexer25** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:09 pm

Footnotes to this thread...

Dakota's funeral was this afternoon. Annie had a teary moment after she saw Dakota in the casket, but that may have just been shock from seeing what was left of this vibrant, joyful child. I honestly think she accepts death as a part of life.

I have been saddened beyond measure. The service was nice, and the messages were intended to lift spirits, but I am fighting not to burst out in tears for Dakota's parents.

Some good has come out of this tragedy. Dakota's parents donated his organs. At the service, they announced Dakota's gifts were helping people in Fort Worth, Houston, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis.

R.I.P. Dakota.

#17 Post by **Bob78164** » Wed May 14, 2008 6:14 pm

Rexer25 wrote:We got a phone call yesterday from the principal of the school the girls attend. One of Annie's classmate collapsed Thursday afternoon while fishing with his dad, and passed away on Sunday. I don't know all the details, but the boy had a brain aneurism. The abrupt nature of this death has brought home to me how quickly young lives can be changed or ended in such a short period of time. I'm afraid that will mean this bored will not be one of the first things I check at every opportunity. I love the sense of community in this place, and I imagine I will check in from time to time. But I feel a need to be more attentive to my family's needs, and be a better employee by concentrating on the tasks assigned me.

I hope everyone here who gets a chance to be on the show makes it to the hot seat, and that all of you are blessed every day. Please remember the family of Dakota Johnston in your prayers or thoughts.

See ya around.

It's not always young lives, although my story turned out to be a scare, not a tragedy. I got an e-mail this morning from my middle sister (I'm the oldest, my brother is the youngest, and the three sisters make a sandwich). Our oldest sister was in the hospital being tested for a possible brain aneurism. Later this afternoon we got the good news -- it's a congenital vessel malformation that appears stable, not an aneurism. The odds look very good that no treatment will be necessary -- they were looking at emergency neurosurgery. --Bob

kayrharris · #18 Post by **kayrharris** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:29 pm

Rexer, I would have been a basket case at that funeral. I'm glad Annie is doing well and hope she continues to do so.

Keeping all of you (Dakota's family as well) in my prayers.

kayrharris · #19 Post by **kayrharris** » Wed May 14, 2008 8:31 pm

Bob, I'm glad your sister is OK and that they were able to diagnose her quickly and no surgery!

How is she doing now? Did they let her go home?

#20 Post by **Bob78164** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:49 pm

kayrharris wrote:Bob, I'm glad your sister is OK and that they were able to diagnose her quickly and no surgery!

How is she doing now? Did they let her go home?

I believe they're keeping her overnight, but since she's in Pennsylvania and I'm in California, my information comes exclusively from e-mail updates. --Bob

SportsFan68 · #21 Post by **SportsFan68** » Wed May 14, 2008 10:59 pm

I'm so sorry about the loss of Annie's friend, Rexer.

That's the hardest thing there is.

WWTBAM Bored

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