I am very lucky to get to do what I do every day. I write about kids’ movies, activities and recipes, because my mission in life is to help families have fun. But there are some children who never get to experience the magic of childhood. Little Cindy* was one of those children. I didn’t know little Cindy personally, but I doubt that she ever got to experience a tea party, or play dress up with her friends, or know the feeling of loving smiles all around her. And she never will again. Cindy died alone this morning in the ER of a local hospital. She was only a toddler.
Cindy was from an abusive household. The male figure in her life, whether father, step father, or unrelated I’m not sure, struck the fatal blow. The mother was nowhere to be found at the time of the injury. Cindy was transported to the hospital via Care Flight. Because her abuser refused to give her name, Cindy was registered as Jane Doe. My husband only learned her real name later when a grandmother was finally contacted. Cindy was calling for her mama as she weakened, clutching a teddy bear, and interacting with the doctors who tried desperately to save her.
I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Cindy endured in her short life. I know about this because my husband was standing there when Cindy was brought into the ER. My husband is a medical student, and what he did for her on the last day of her life — give her some warm blankets with a tender touch — was a gesture of love that she did not experience enough in life.
Cindy is in the arms of the angels now, but my husband is another kind of angel, because he helped give her the best care she could possibly receive in the last moments of her life. Cindy is an angel, and my husband is my hero.
It is comforting to know that my husband’s face is one of those caring faces Cindy got to see on the last day of her life. That’s why my husband is my hero.
Today is my husband’s and my anniversary. We are heartbroken at the loss of this little girl. Today as we celebrate our marriage and family and enjoy time with our daughter to the fullest, it hurts knowing that Cindy will never get to enjoy these things with her own loving family. I know that I am the luckiest woman alive, getting to be married to a man who cares so much for others that he would devote his life to the medical profession. He faces tough situations like little Cindy’s every day, though this case has affected us like no other.
I don’t know how many people are grieving for Cindy today. Please say a prayer for her, or hold a positive thought for her. Do something kind for a child, or donate time or money to your local women’s shelter. Wherever she is now, I want Cindy to know that it mattered that she lived. Someone is out there caring for her, even though she is gone now.
May Cindy find everlasting peace in the arms of the angels.
*I am not revealing the real name here for confidentiality reasons.
OMG…what to say? Sadly there are too many Cindys in this world. And yes, your husband is a real hero, to give love and comfort to a dying child in the last moments of her life, not as a medical student, but as a caring, wonderful man. God bless both of you on your anniversary – you are fortunate to be married to this hero. Prayers for the little girl, too, although she doesn’t need them now, the Lord has her in His arms. If only all men were like your loving husband, the children (and women) of this world would be so much better off. ((((HUGS))) to you both.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Sandy. Your thoughtful comment really lifts my spirits and makes my day. I’m so fortunate to have kind and caring readers like you.
It was so sad to read this story about Cindy. Unfortunately this is just one of many stories, I don’t understand how anyone could do anything like this to a kid the just don’t deserve it. Happy anniversary to you and you husband.
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This is such a sad and tragic story. That poor little girl!! I hope her abusers get the maximum sentencing for what they did! I’m thankful that there are good people in the world like your husband.
P.S. Belated Happy Anniversary!
Not sure that words are enough…. but thank you for sharing this story.
Although every word you said was heartfelt and full of compassion, one sentence sent shivers down my spine. “I want Cindy to Know that it mattered that she lived.” Not only such a beautiful thing to say, but my sentiments exactly. I wish I could hold every child in the world in my arms and tell them how much their existence matters. And although this story is full of pain and sadness, the fact that your Husband was there to make Cindy feel loved as she passed on into the arms of the Angels, brings me amazing comfort and peace. Your Husband is my hero as well.
My heart just absolutely broke while reading this. Too often we read of children who have been abused and/or killed by adults. I look to the faces of my two sons (3y & 5mo) and just shudder. How could anyone look at those young faces and be filled with enough malice to hurt them? Truly, as you said, that little girl is in the arms of the angels now and will never know pain again.
This is such a sad and touching story Poor little girl. At least in her last few moments she knew what it felt like to be cared for. Stories like this breaks my heart.
It was so sad to read this story about Cindy. Unfortunately this is just one of many stories, I don’t understand how anyone could do anything like this to a kid the just don’t deserve it. Happy anniversary to you and you husband.