- Joined
- Jan 19, 2006
- Messages
- 3,589
Jane - if Melanie could work up some ju ju for me, she would. The situation with Baylor is not new of course, just now coming to a head but I will be so glad for him when it is over. He should be able to get enough for some OOP for college, a down payment on a house and a reliable used vehicle. There are blessings in this whole thing.
***Proud Mom moment.
When we were talking about the amount of money he may get, Baylor said, "It sucks that I could get something and there are people who are burned worse than me and did not get anything."
Baylor's BF through the burn center is a boy named Willie who has pretty severe facial burns as does his younger brother, Kenny. Willie was 3, climbed out of his car seat and found a lighter in a camping box the family had in the back of their van as the Mom and oldest daughter had just gotten back from a girl scout weekend. (They have 8 kids in the family, Willie and Kenny were the youngest.)
Willie does not remember anything but Jen, the Mom, had gotten the 2 boys in their car seats and then went to put their dog inside who had just had puppies. She made sure she had the keys, was worried about someone taking the car with the boys in, even though it was for just a minute.
When Jen approached the van, she started running as she saw black through the windows. Willie had found the lighter, lit something and then there was a "flash over" within the van. Kenny was strapped to his infant car seat so the top of his head got the worst, plus his fingers. Willie was burned badly on his face.
That was 11 years ago now and Willie has been an amazing friend to Baylor and has taught us all so much. He lives with the guilt of seeing his brother and knowing he started the fire and has talked with Baylor in group, just like the adults deal with their emotions in our therapy. He also knows financially, how much it has devastated his family. It does not matter that it was not his fault. He was barely 3. He carries the emotional weight of an adult at such a young age.
Anyway, I know what Baylor was thinking about when he said this. Because Willie's situation was in their own vehicle - no settlement. No financial blessing to help ease the situation.
I told Baylor I was proud of him for thinking of others before himself. That instead of being worried about his wants, he was thinking of others who as far as pain goes, is times 1000 to Baylor.
I also explained to him what philanthropy was and how he can use his money however he sees fit and if he wants to help others who might not have the same offering as he does, I would be so very proud of him.
He said two things.
#1 - He wants to take a trip the summer after he graduates and take Willie with him. Pay for everything and let Willie not have any worries for once.
#2 He wants to sponsor a child to go to Burn Camp every year in Colorado. He says it has made a huge difference for him and wants to give that back to others.
I tell you guys, it was gut wrenching. I held it together and then when he walked away, I went into the bathroom to shower, stood in the hot water and just sobbed. I have no words to express how proud I am of who he is and no matter what he goes through, will always think of those not as fortunate. He is stronger than anyone I know and I feel so lucky to be his Mom.
Here is a pic of Willie and Baylor last summer at camp. They had just done a hunt to find the counselors and then got tossed into the lake!
Here is one from taken from farther away, so a bit blurry. They did a castaway/pirate skit with the rest of their age group on the last day for the parents.
Ok - in regards to attorneys - my uncle is a former JAG and now works for the pentagon as a civilian patent attorney for the navy. His son, my cousin Cameron, is currently a JAG officer as well. So I have that part covered as far as input and the social worker at the burn unit who is a dear friend, is dating an attorney locally and has said he would help if needed. That is the only reason I am willing to do this. If I had no input from them, I wouldn't risk screwing anything up for Baylor.
I see what you saw in Dan and Carsyn's eyes - they do have similar qualities.
Bree - I would make Nutter Butters till my house was full if I could get ourselves on that yacht! Gummi Bear tree!
Freakin wackadoo Island. 
Sheree - Carsyn dumped the shoes after standing in them for almost 2 hours waiting to walk. Her knee was killing her! I was surprised she lasted that long. Ben wanted a family group shot. That kid is so nice to Carsyn. He is more thoughtful than most boys that age.
Maybe I can airbrush some in or crop our feet off!
***Proud Mom moment.
When we were talking about the amount of money he may get, Baylor said, "It sucks that I could get something and there are people who are burned worse than me and did not get anything."
Baylor's BF through the burn center is a boy named Willie who has pretty severe facial burns as does his younger brother, Kenny. Willie was 3, climbed out of his car seat and found a lighter in a camping box the family had in the back of their van as the Mom and oldest daughter had just gotten back from a girl scout weekend. (They have 8 kids in the family, Willie and Kenny were the youngest.)
Willie does not remember anything but Jen, the Mom, had gotten the 2 boys in their car seats and then went to put their dog inside who had just had puppies. She made sure she had the keys, was worried about someone taking the car with the boys in, even though it was for just a minute.
When Jen approached the van, she started running as she saw black through the windows. Willie had found the lighter, lit something and then there was a "flash over" within the van. Kenny was strapped to his infant car seat so the top of his head got the worst, plus his fingers. Willie was burned badly on his face.
That was 11 years ago now and Willie has been an amazing friend to Baylor and has taught us all so much. He lives with the guilt of seeing his brother and knowing he started the fire and has talked with Baylor in group, just like the adults deal with their emotions in our therapy. He also knows financially, how much it has devastated his family. It does not matter that it was not his fault. He was barely 3. He carries the emotional weight of an adult at such a young age.
Anyway, I know what Baylor was thinking about when he said this. Because Willie's situation was in their own vehicle - no settlement. No financial blessing to help ease the situation.
I told Baylor I was proud of him for thinking of others before himself. That instead of being worried about his wants, he was thinking of others who as far as pain goes, is times 1000 to Baylor.
I also explained to him what philanthropy was and how he can use his money however he sees fit and if he wants to help others who might not have the same offering as he does, I would be so very proud of him.
He said two things.
#1 - He wants to take a trip the summer after he graduates and take Willie with him. Pay for everything and let Willie not have any worries for once.
#2 He wants to sponsor a child to go to Burn Camp every year in Colorado. He says it has made a huge difference for him and wants to give that back to others.
I tell you guys, it was gut wrenching. I held it together and then when he walked away, I went into the bathroom to shower, stood in the hot water and just sobbed. I have no words to express how proud I am of who he is and no matter what he goes through, will always think of those not as fortunate. He is stronger than anyone I know and I feel so lucky to be his Mom.
Here is a pic of Willie and Baylor last summer at camp. They had just done a hunt to find the counselors and then got tossed into the lake!
Here is one from taken from farther away, so a bit blurry. They did a castaway/pirate skit with the rest of their age group on the last day for the parents.
Ok - in regards to attorneys - my uncle is a former JAG and now works for the pentagon as a civilian patent attorney for the navy. His son, my cousin Cameron, is currently a JAG officer as well. So I have that part covered as far as input and the social worker at the burn unit who is a dear friend, is dating an attorney locally and has said he would help if needed. That is the only reason I am willing to do this. If I had no input from them, I wouldn't risk screwing anything up for Baylor.
I see what you saw in Dan and Carsyn's eyes - they do have similar qualities.
Bree - I would make Nutter Butters till my house was full if I could get ourselves on that yacht! Gummi Bear tree!
Freakin wackadoo Island. Sheree - Carsyn dumped the shoes after standing in them for almost 2 hours waiting to walk. Her knee was killing her! I was surprised she lasted that long. Ben wanted a family group shot. That kid is so nice to Carsyn. He is more thoughtful than most boys that age.
Maybe I can airbrush some in or crop our feet off!
:
So excited, I LOVE this musical so much!!!
We need to stop hanging out w/ our CAJUN size friends. They expect certain things...ie, fatty foods & alcohol.
They're young plants, this is our second yr with them, so they aren't yielding a ton of berries anyway, but still.
)
) so I will have to plan lunch accordingly since dinner won't be good.
