Alex was born on August 5, 1997 weighing 9lbs. 4oz. and 21" long.  His older siblings Stephanie and Keith just adored him and my husband Larry and I just felt our life was so complete.  Then as a surprise when Alex was 3 his little sister Mackenzie was born and much to our surprise when he was 6 his little sister Chloe came along.  Larry had two other children Nicole and Christopher plus our five so at this point we realized our family was definitely complete.   I was ever so proud of my family and loved being their mother.

Alex grew into such a wonderful little boy.  His voice was deep and raspy....he could not carry a tune but oh how he tried.  He would put on his head set and sing not realizing we all could hear him as we chuckled to ourselves.   Having a pool in our back yard was just perfect as the kids would swim every day during the Spring and Summer. There were always friends over...actually kids would be everywhere haha... and I always had to judge who did the biggest splash or who did the best dive or the craziest jump off the board.   Picnics by the pool...lots and lots of pop-siscles...playing in the sand box...just enjoying lifes simple pleasures. Where ever you saw Alex, Mackenzie was near by.  She absolutely adored him as he was her Big Brother.  All of the children love each other, but Mackenzie and Alex had some kind of special bond. 

Alex was a happy third grader who was in love with his teacher Ms. Cobb…he treated every child the same…it didn’t matter what kind of clothes they were wearing or what race or religion…he shared his snacks with the children in his class that didn’t have one…and would usually do without himself…he playfully chased the little girls on the playground and was so excited about learning as he made 100’s on almost every paper. He was full of hugs for everyone…he had really strong hugs and if you were lucky enough to get one you would never forget it. He carried Mackenzie's book sack every morning and afternoon...he let her get on the bus first and he walked her to her class every day. He would take the time out of his lunch to walk over and give her a big hug each day....he was an Angel all along. His manners were extreme…always yes ma’am, please and thank you…always offering to help no matter what the chore. His love for sports was amazing as he was very determined to master them all. At only 8 years old he was chosen to play with the 9-12 year old baseball team and actually earned the second base position. He played soccer, football, and could swim like a fish. He was so generous and loving towards the world…his teacher Ms. Cobb and I joked about how he would definitely be President one day as he already possessed leadership skills well beyond his age. We have so many wonderful memories with Alex!!

On March 18th 2006 the world as we knew it became non-existent. The way I explain it is when you build a house you use big strong beams for support, but when one of the beams is removed the house no longer is strong and sturdy…our family is no longer strong nor complete and it never will be ever again. That day will forever haunt me as I remember even the smallest of details. it was a typical Saturday...the 18th of March 2006. That morning was a bit chaotic as Mackenzie had soccer...and Alex had baseball...both at the same time. I remember getting Mackenzie ready and waking Alex up telling him to get his uniform on and I would see him later. He ran to the kitchen and gave me the biggest bear hug...oh so tight....and told me he loved me...if I had only known this would be our last hug. Larry took him to baseball and after the soccer game I took the girls to watch him play....4 hrs. When it was over I took the girls to a friends house to play and Larry brought Alex home. Keith was fishing across the street...I came home and started picking up. Alex had gone across the street to ride bikes with a friend and Larry went to chat. I was folding clothes and heard the most aweful noise you could imaging...it stopped me and took my breath away...that unforgettable noise…my husband banging on the front door telling me Alex had been hit by a car…scanning the road to find him…running out of my shoes to get to him…crouching down and realizing he wasn’t breathing…pressing my mouth against his to give him air for what seemed an eternity…hearing the words… he has a heart beat…hearing the gurgling from within his little body…looking into Phillip Briggs eyes…my friend and the first EMT to arrive on the scene…and saying “Phillip…save my baby” following the ambulance to the hospital…Alex actually died twice before entering the Emergency room and they lost him once more before inserting the tube….seeing him for the first time just minutes before he was to be taken to Pitt by Life Flight…reaching Pitt and talking to the doctor for the first time…he sat down as he said…”Alex has a badly broken left leg…a broken pelvis…a broken left arm…his spleen has been destroyed, his internal organs have been damanged....as I was hearing these horrific things I kept saying..."All these things can be fixed"....until the doctor lost eye contact and bowed his head...."There is no brain activity” I begged God to take my life…just to save Alex’s…They ran test after test and pushed fluids into his little body until he was barely recognizable…his legs had huge blisters all over as there was no place for the fluid to go…he had chest tubes…intravenous lines… I asked the nurse could he hear me and she never answered…I never had a chance to even say good bye or to tell him how much I loved him or to tell him how very proud I was of him. To watch your child take their last breath isn’t suppose to be…my older children were devastated…my little ones didn’t understand…how can I help when I don’t understand either…watching my husband sit at the edge of our driveway night after night after night crying…listening to the little girls cry themselves to sleep…night after night after night. Going to school to clean out his desk….finding bits of leaves in his shoes….trying desperately to find a piece of clothing to be able to smell him again…never being able to hear that deep voice…never to feel his touch or hear his laughter. Every day is a struggle as I miss him soooo much…as he would say to me…Mom…I love you the whole world with my whole heart…forever and ever…I loved you first…I loved you more.

It has almost been two years and the gut wrenching pain haunts me every day.  Nothing will ever be the same...just one day at a time!!  As the memories make you smile...in a blink....the tears fall and the cycle starts again. 

Thank you for taking the time to read Alex's story!!  For all those who have lost a child we are family and hopefully we can gather strength from each other if only in prayer!!

To drive is a privilege  and you have to be responsible when you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle as many peoples lives are at stake. You can’t take this privilege for granted!!

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, as much as I love you,
and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready in heaven far above
and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away a tear fell from my eye,
for all my life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories would take the place of me, And when I thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow,
But when I walked through heaven's gate, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you.
Today your life on earth is past but here life starts anew,
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand and share my life with me?"
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart. 

...You loved Balloons and Butterflies...Frogs and Fish...

Mackenzie and Alex playing at the Beach....Alex's favorite place