Joe's Story
By Cheryl & Joe D
They say things always happen for a reason. Try explaining that to a couple who was doing all the right things – great family, friends, home and a beautiful two-year-old girl we thought was sent from above. Everything was going as planned.
Early November 1985, the plane arrived on time at Logan. A three-month-old baby boy with chubby rosy cheeks, black spiky hair, and a sweet smile came into our lives. His big sister was enthralled with John Joseph Park. Jess wanted to be with “her” new baby at all times, continually waking him up from his naps, and generally thinking that he belonged to her.
Three days later our lives were turned upside down. We woke up to find him not breathing. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS. It was in those first days that we felt the experience of sheer joy of having a complete family turn to complete despair. If not for Jess, our family and friends, it would have been impossible to endure. Over the next five months, Wide Horizons showed us great support in moving forward, and helped us cope emotionally with our loss.
Then along came Joseph Timothy Kim, III. This wonderful little boy made us believe life would go on. An entertainer from the beginning, Joe hasn’t given us a quiet moment since!
Twenty-two years later.
Jessica Emma Lee has graduated from Fairfield University with a degree in communications and political science and an impressive record with her college golf team. She is currently employed at Massachusetts General Hospital as a patient care coordinator. In addition, she is furthering her knowledge of conversational Spanish, specifically for medical professionals. Jess never fully understood where “her baby” went – so difficult for a two-year-old. (Fortunately, her “little” brother Joe filled that role extremely well.) As a result, she became an exceptionally patient and caring person. The hospital is the perfect place for her, and they realize what a gem they have.
Joe is attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A political science/military science major, he will graduate from the ROTC program of the US Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. Joe has gone from a youngster who would never leave his parents’ side to a young man who feels he can do everything on his own and make everyone proud of him. Little does he know he doesn’t have to work that hard for the respect – he’s got it!
The effect on our lives? Moving forward without forgetting took a while to accomplish. After experiencing the profound loss of a child, it has taken a Herculean effort on our part not to shelter and control our children’s lives. While you never fully recover from the loss of a child, time and those around you can partially fill the hole left in your heart. For us, Jess and Joe have done more in that regard than we could ever have hoped for.
Two special kids.