We lost our precious lil' love to AML Leukemia on March 8, 2010. As an incredibly strong family unit, we fought this horrid disease for 2 1/2 years........only for it to come back a fourth time to finally claim Hunter's life. Zen and I are truly devastated and the beautiful light that used to brighten our days and enhance our souls, no longer exists. Our hearts are truly and forever broken. We have a long journey ahead of us, but we are committed and devoted to surviving and living our life embracing Hunter's amazing spirit. With tremendous honor, we will carry on his legacy of love, his legacy of courage and his remarkable ambition to live strong, live fearlessly and live with passion.

You will remain forever in our hearts baby love. We carry you with us every moment of every hour of every day.



Thursday, June 17, 2010

......an exceptional Father




Hunter's handprint his last day here on earth.



A link to Zen's Father's Day post from last year.....
wow.....our lives have totally changed.




Honestly, after reading 'A Tribute to Zen', there isn't much I can say about Zen, that I haven't already said over the last few years. I absolutely adore him as a father, and so did Hunter. I still remember when Zen would ask Hunter, "who LOVES you", and Hunter would very happily shout out......."DAD!" Then Zen would say, "who ELSE LOVES you", and Hunter would shout out with such excitement, "MOM!" I LOVED hearing that. I LOVED that he knew what love was, and I just get absolutely tickled that he knew who it was that so deeply loved him. We must have told him 100 times a day. He could tell by the way we spoke to him, he could tell by the way we snuggled with him and he could tell by the way we cared for him. He was always held with such gentle, yet strong, arms and we tried to never let him down and always let him know how very important he was to us.

We fought like hell for that kid.....and he was right there by our sides fighting with us - often times leading the fight. Some people have said to us that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree', and that Hunter got his strength and his courage and his remarkable calmness from us. I believe that. But he was also a very unique child and on several occasions, we got our strength and our courage and our calmness from him. His desire and his will to live kept us going for countless days. He inspired us on a daily basis, just by looking at us and smiling.....especially during those times when he was restricted to his bed, hooked up to lots of tubes and machines, while chemo, or red blood cells or antibiotics dripped into his body. His spirit was always glowing and his love and respect for us was always apparent. He truly was an old soul that understood life, love and emotions way beyond his years.






Zen taught Hunter many things, just with his actions alone. He always stood strong, he always represented bravery and he constantly showed his emotions and never let a day go by where Hunter wasn't fully aware of how much Zen loved him. He was there for every procedure, every scan, every chemo treatment and every other time we ever needed him to be there. He was ALWAYS there. There and present and extremely aware of what was going on so that he could assist in making the best decisions for Hunter in the next battles we would have to face. He never let us down and was such a solid force when it came to holding our family together and keeping things moving in a positive direction.

He was an exceptional father to Hunter and he's going to be an even more exceptional father to Ryder. He is now empowered with so much more love, so much more compassion and so much more understanding and appreciation for the true blessing of fatherhood. He is as eagerly awaiting Ryder's arrival as much as I am, and I can't wait to see him raise another warrior. I'm sure he will let Ryder know how proud he was of Hunter and all of his amazing accomplishments. He will pass along what a brave champion he truly was and hope that he grows up cherishing his little soul, just as we do. Ryder will be his own little being......and with the combination of influence and guidance and leadership from Zen, an overabundance of love and affection from me, and a perfect little angel sitting on his shoulder.....he's bound to be a phenomenal child.

Zen, once again, I am in complete awe of you and all that you represent. I couldn't be more honored to be your wife and to travel these rocky roads of life with you by my side. Every challenge we have had to overcome and every challenge we have in the days to come seems that much easier having you as my life partner......standing strong, standing brave and standing with an amazing amount of love. Love for me, love for your children and love for our family. I am much stronger with you in my life, just as you are much stronger with me. Together we will take on this life and whatever comes our way, and I know we will always try to champion our way to the top. And I know that if we have to go down.......I know we will always go down fighting. The only way to go.

Happy Father's Day my love.

A perfect example of Zen keeping Hunter calm during his VERY FIRST cat scan at Children's Hospital in LA. Hunter was only 14 months at the time and had no idea what the heck was going on. He followed his fathers lead and just did what he had to do.




My favorite moments of Zen and Hunter


I love my boys.

39 comments:

  1. A beautifully moving post..... what struck me is the Hand Print.... there is a very clear beautiful tree... the Tree of Life..... You may have lost you wonderfully spirited..amazing little man... but don't be surprised if he loved trees..... loved the way they stood so firmly grounded in the Earth... Yet able to dance freely in the breeze... both grounded & free..... next time I look at a tree... I will think of your precious Son... & smile... as I see the Sunlight Awaken the tree.... as the branches gently sway in the wind...... the birds seek refuge..... I am moved & inspired by your strength & beauty....

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  2. Happy Father's Day Zen. We have never met but I am so happy that my friend Lenore has you in her life. I wish you a very blessed Father's Day and many many more.
    God Bless,
    Annie

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  3. Colleen Dooley - Happy Father's Day Zen...Have a great day...xoxox

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  4. Terry Robertson Ince - Zen... I wish you a wonderful Father's Day with your beautiful wife and Ryder... Much love...

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  5. Janet Melton Byrum - Beautiful handprint! again your blog has brought me to tears. You two are perfect together;) Hunter and Ryder are so Blessed! xxoo

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  6. Brooke Lynn Fergus - Bless His Sweet Soul ...

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  7. Terry Robertson Ince - A good one he is! Enjoy your day!

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  8. Cathy Donovan Holt - You are so full of love Lenore, this is an amazing tribute to a wonderful man....xoxoxo to you both.

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  9. Marla Mosher - Happy fathers day zen

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  10. Emily Perry-Tresser - Happy Father's day to your beautiful husband. I really loved what you wrote in your blog. I have been in your presence to witness the love you two share. It is electric, it is full of infectious energy. And I am so happy you found your soul mate < both of you>. Happy Father's day Zen.

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  11. Zen- You always had a sense of perspective and calm, in the face of the ultimate adversities. You will always be the standard for which endurance and love for his child, will be measured. Please know on this Fathers Day, you always did the best you could, every day.

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  12. Hilde Burm - Happy Father's Day Zen . x x x

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  13. Daphne Brogdon - You have set the bar high for dad's Zen. sending you the best.

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  14. Christian Leffler - Happy fathers day. You are an inspiration as a father. I'm sure yours is proud.

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  15. Chalese Thill - Happy Father's Day Zen. We love you dearly!

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  16. Jerry Ying - Happy Father's Day poppa

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  17. Leahanna Rowland-Reid - Happy Father's Day!

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  18. Ric Loza - Happy Father's Day Zen

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  19. Anna Marie Bernabe Cruz - Happy Father's Day to Zen Todd, Brent King, and my Papa - ordinary men who are extraordinary fathers.

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  20. Corrin Crone Phillips - I was just thinking of one of my favorite fathers today. We love you Tody.

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  21. just want you to know how much i love you dad. i think about you as much as you think about me.......which is all the time. you were the neatest and coolest dad and i'm so happy you were mine. i always knew how much you loved me and you always made me feel safe. thank you for always protecting me and taking such good care of me. and always doing it with a smile. i know you keep me close. huggin' you always and love you lots and lots and lots. happy father's day dad xoxo your lil' angel hunter...always by your side

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  22. Elmira Zainabudinova - Zen, i am thinking of you today.

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  23. Wendy Parker to Zen Todd:

    What Is A Dad?

    A dad is someone who
    wants to catch you before you fall
    but instead picks you up,
    brushes you off,
    and lets you try again.

    A dad is someone who
    wants to keep you from making mistakes
    but instead lets you find your own way,
    even though his heart breaks in silence
    when you get hurt.

    A dad is someone who
    holds you when you cry,
    scolds you when you break the rules,
    shines with pride when you succeed,
    and has faith in you even when you fail...

    - Unknown

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  24. Saw your journal today or a couple of days ago. Today is father's day. I was caught by your journal - because I totally feel what you feel except -- I am not as strong as you and I do stay in bed. Following your page -- took me to Hunter's page and I am inspired by you documenting Hunter and sharing Hunter with the rest of us. I didn't know him before but I know him now through you. It was the most detail capture of Hunter that I think any parent can do. I too, had lost a child before - one through medical abortion and one through adoption, and the feelings are very similar. I wanted to thank you for having the courage to record his life and share Hunter with us. I am moved and inspired, and I hope I have your courage to get up everyday and LIVE! Thank you!

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  25. Lenore,
    I feel the loss of this beautiful child - you and your Zen must be incredibly strong to go through this.

    Your post is beautiful - all the compassion you offered on Father's Day. And just being with what is - whether melancholy, grief, or any emotion that is there, is OK.

    I send you heartfelt peace for the journey - in paradox, with an open heart, we can hold it all.
    Victoria

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  26. Kathleen McAuley - Happy Father's Day!

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  27. Wow. I am truly inspired by you two and the amount of love, strength, and endurance you both possess. Although I do not know either of you personally, I have been following the healinghunter blog and now this one and I am truly amazed by the two of you. I am a volunteer in the inpatient oncology floor at DCH and started reading your journey after I met the strongest little boy ever; your beautiful son Hunter. I often think of Hunter and he has forever changed my perception of the meaning of love, determination, and strength. Your ability to put all of the emotions and experiences you have been through the last three years is beyond phenomenal and has touched my life in several ways. I am applying to medical school this year and my experience with the incredible patients and families such as yourselves at Doernbecher has hugely ignited my inner fire and passion to provide care to children someday. I hope that I will be able love someone as much as you love each other and Hunter. Thank you so much for allowing the public to read your blogs, you make the world a better place. Happy Father's Day and I wish you all the best.

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  28. Michael Federico - precious gift from your little angel.

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  29. Natalie Guerrera Edgell - Wow.....that made me teary-eyed....so precious

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  30. Thanks Janet. I LOVE that lil' handprint as well. It's pretty wonderful. I feel as if he's waving hello and blowing me kisses every time I see it.

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  31. Thanks for thinking of us Marla! Will get pics to you soon!! Xo

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  32. You are so sweet Emily. Thank you so much for your extremely kind words. He's the love of my life and I'm so lucky to have stumbled upon him at Best Buy!!! Thank goodness I went after him when I did!!!! Sending you hugs and love today. XoXo

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  33. Vikki Jensen - sweet babe. thinking of you guys today! xoxoxo

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  34. Jennifer Gendron - Give Zen a love hug from me....and tell him he's the truest dad of them all! Happy Father's Day, XO

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  35. Dear Doernbecher Volunteer - thank you for taking the time to write to us. We are forever grateful for what you and so many others do up there on 10s......you definitely brighten up the days of so many children - and that is so desperately needed and VERY much appreciated. Thank you for being so giving with your hearts. Thank you for being so giving with your time. And thank you for being so giving of yourself. We are truly thankful for you and all that you do and I'm so glad you had a chance to meet Hunter. He was pretty amazing and seemed to always enjoy himself when you guys came in to play with him. Thank you, thank you, thank you. So much love being sent your way and good luck with everything you are going after!!!!! XoXo Lenore, Zen and Angel Hunter

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  36. Dear Anonymous who sometimes stays in bed...........I "get it". Believe me. The tragedies in life can sometimes just be too unbearable to face, day after day after day. And sometimes staying in bed is the only thing you can do. I feel as if I did that on the days that I just didn't feel like getting up - I would drown in all of my tears. Hunter's presence surrounds us.....I have photos up in our room and I can see him everywhere I look. It's crushing and inspiring at the same time, but if I sit there too long - I go under.

    I am really not sure how we are surviving, but somehow......we are. I HATE that he's gone. I'm so saddened by the sickness that ruled so many of his days. And I'm forever heartbroken that I won't have the chance again to hold his precious lil' being in my arms in this lifetime......a lot to overcome and live with on a daily basis.

    I wish you all the strength you need to overcome your own battles. I am terribly sorry to hear of the sadness in your life and I wish you nothing but love and peace in all the days to come. I hope you can find the courage to LIVE..........it's a wonderful life.......we just see it now through different spectacles. And sometimes, that in itself is a wonderful blessing. XoXo

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  37. Monica Raber Miyashita - How are you feeling Lenore? Thinking about you and hoping Father's Day was ok for Zen. Think about and pray for you both every day!

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  38. Thanks so much Monica. Father's Day was not so much fun. Zen stayed busy, but we were both pretty sad. He retiled the whole kitchen and I sat there at the countertop bar and didn't leave his side. For my sake and his. I didn't even factor in HIS father until the end of the day. His father passed away from a heart attack about 9 years ago. He was devastated from his loss as well. So not only did Zen not have his father, but he didn't have his son.

    We've pretty much been in a fog ever since Sunday. Hopefully today eases up on us a little. Thanks for checking in on me. Means a lot.

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  39. Noticed that Ryder has arrived.. Congrats and ALL of my hugs and ALL of our love to all of you!!!!!

    Kayla

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