Gideon YuYue Walker

Last week, Tyler's youngest brother, Gideon joined his Savior. I have been writing this post since then. It was typically written in the middle of the night when I was feeding Grant, so I hope it makes sense.

Gideon was one I consciously had to choose to love. He was not one to run to the door when you first arrived or to give you hugs before he went to bed. You had to seek him out and even then you may be rewarded with a smile or he may fight and squirm away from you.

A face we saw often

The name Gideon means 'mighty warrior,' and boy was it true for our Gideon. He was a fighter in everything he did. He fought to get HIS way and would throw a fit to make sure it happened. Sometimes a crying episode would happen even if his way was already what was going to happen. My favorite example of this was when he became obsessed with taking (or rather, not taking) baths. Multiple times I witnessed him on the floor crying, "no bath! No bath" while someone stood above him saying "it's ok, you aren't going to take a bath."

Yet it was this fighting Spirit that kept our Warrior alive. That helped him find his eternal family. That gave us the precious time we had with him and helped him worm his way into our hearts and lives. 

Gideon was born with one chamber in his heart and one valve. This meant that basically blood would come in, swish around, and then leave, but not on the pathways it was supposed to. I don't quite understand the anatomy of it, but I could see the effects. On bad days, Gideon was bloated. His lips turned blue. His cheeks became flushed. His body was not getting the blood through his body. Yet Gideon fought through it. He somehow made it through his first years of life in an orphanage in China. He should not have survived. But Gideon was a warrior and was determined to perform his work that he had on this earth.

After his first heart surgery

Last Wednesday, Gideon went into his second heart surgery. His valve had stopped working, so Doctor's were going to see what they could do to help the blood flow. The surgery went well and we were happy to hear Thursday morning that Gideon was feeling great. Then things reversed. I was nannying when I got the text saying "Please call ASAP." My heart sank. I called as soon as I could.  Gideon was fading fast and was not going to make it through the day.

Tyler was at his internship in Springville. I was in Orem with our only working car. Tyler called me in panic. I could hear his tears through his voice. I asked him to call Ressa or Britt to see if they could pick him up, because I couldn't promise that I would be able to.  Luckily, they could. I let the family I nanny for know and started frantically calling all the girls in Provo that had a car, to try to see if one of them would be able to come finish nannying for me. I was in the car 45 minutes after I got the first text.

I was the last to arrive at the hospital. When I walked into the room I couldn't help but notice the overwhelming Spirit. There were lots of tears, but there was a peaceful feeling inside the room. I know that we were joined by others we could not see who were there to comfort us, strengthen us, and welcome Gideon back home.

We had a family prayer and the kids said goodbye. The decision was made to take Gideon off of all of his medications except those for pain. The doctors said it could take a day or so, but Gideon's work here was done. Within twenty minutes he peacefully passed away in his Father's arms, with his mother holding his feet.

Gideon touched many lives during his short time here on earth. He brought together the adoption community who prayed for him to find a family. He touched the doctors and nurses that he came in contact with. He united the ward family as they all came together to show their love and support. Most importantly, he eternally changed our family. He brought Scott to us.  He taught us compassion, love, patience, how to smile through hard times, and much more.

Gideon was sealed to us forever. We have not lost him. He is our guardian angel.

Until we meet again.

 

 

If you would like to read Gideon's Obiturary follow this link:http://www.jenkins-soffe.com/obituary/Gideon-Yu-Yue-Walker/South-Jordan-UT/1345191

As a tribute to Gideon's life, if you feel impressed to make a financial contribution to benefit Chinese orphans, you can either sponsor a child for $50 per month or make a one time contribution at www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/programs/orphanage-assistance. - See more at: http://www.jenkins-soffe.com/obituary/Gideon-Yu-Yue-Walker/South-Jordan-UT/1345191#sthash.VXGOkKfi.dpuf

 

As a tribute to Gideon's life, if you would like to make a contribution to benefit Chinese orphans you can follow this link: www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/programs/orphanage-assistance

www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/programs/orphanage-assistance. #sthash.VXGOkKfi.dpuf

As a tribute to Gideon's life, if you feel impressed to make a financial contribution to benefit Chinese orphans, you can either sponsor a child for $50 per month or make a one time contribution at www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/programs/orphanage-assistance. - See more at: http://www.jenkins-soffe.com/obituary/Gideon-Yu-Yue-Walker/South-Jordan-UT/1345191#sthash.VXGOkKfi.dpuf

As a tribute to Gideon's life, if you feel impressed to make a financial contribution to benefit Chinese orphans, you can either sponsor a child for $50 per month or make a one time contribution at www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/programs/orphanage-assistance. - See more at: http://www.jenkins-soffe.com/obituary/Gideon-Yu-Yue-Walker/South-Jordan-UT/1345191#sthash.VXGOkKfi.dpuf

Randy the monkey

Grant has a monkey he adores. 

He loves to cuddle with his monkey and talk to it, but most if all he loves to chew on it. 

He's teething right now. There have been several times we have given him a teething ring, but no, he'd rather eat his monkey. We try to play with him, but a lot of times he'd just rather eat his monkey. 

Because of this, Tyler named the monkey Randy. It took me a long time, but I eventually gave in and started calling the monkey Randy too. If you follow the link, you'll find out where the name comes from (beware: it's a kind if morbid music video that Tyler fell in love with and sings all of the time)

           

Grant would rather eat Randy. Although sometimes I can get a video of him laughing at and talking to his monkey instead :)