“I love you, Austin, oh yes I do, I love you, Austin, and I miss you. When you’re not with me, I’m blue…Oh, Austin, I love you!….” This is the song that I heard Chantaya (3 years old) sing last evening while she was playing with her toys. I know that she is also feeling the extra emotions of missing her big brother. This morning I was getting the little girls ready to leave to pick up Brianna and Alisha from their piano lessons. Chantaya just “out of the blue” asked me, “Mommy, when we get back home again…will Austin be back then too?” Oh, how do you explain the finality of death to a three year old who simply adored her doting big brother!
I remember this Thursday, a year ago as we were packing our clothes and loading the motorhome for a weekend trip to Hartwell, Georgia, for a ministry retreat with the other Gospel Express family teams. I, again, never imagined that this would be the last time that I would be able to help Austin pack his clothes and the last few days we would have together. All of us were looking forward to the weekend and Austin expressed excitement as well at being able to spend time with his friends.
We left on Thursday evening and drove to Anderson, South Carolina where a benefit golf tournament was going to be held the next morning. We had found out on Monday of this week, from Austin’s transplant doctor in Atlanta, that his CMV numbers were still elevated although he was still on oral medication for it. Duane offered to bring him to the hospital right away but they felt it was alright to increase the amount of medication and then repeat his labs on Monday and then if the numbers were still elevated, the plan was to take him to Atlanta on Thursday as an out-patient to have a central line placed for IV medication to be administered at home. Austin said he felt fine except for being more tired. He was happy and teasing his sisters like he enjoyed doing! Oh, for the opportunity to hear his laugh one more time! I am sure it will be one of the most special things that I will enjoy when I get to Heaven!
Until tomorrow……
Cindy (for The Mullett Family)
P.S. Thank you to all of you who are leaving encouraging messages via Facebook, Caring Bridge and our website post. It means so much to all of us.
3 Comments
Tammy Hershberger
Posted at 01:02h, 28 Octoberoh cindy i have been thinking about you all so much lately. you are in my prayers. may God give you strength and courage to face the days ahead as i’m sure they will not be easy at all. also may he send the encouragement that you need throughout the coming days.
Melissa Barkman
Posted at 11:47h, 28 OctoberI really enjoy reading these “recaps” of a year ago. You are in my prayers!! Thank you so much for sharing.
Fransene Miller
Posted at 16:59h, 28 OctoberWow, Cindy, it’s hard to believe it’s been a year already, yet in some ways it has seemed like a long year I’m sure. Austin still seems so “alive” yet to us in some ways, especially when we listen to your recordings. His life is still speaking. Thank you for taking time to share these thoughts and final days of Austin with us. It’s heartbreaking (Chantaya), but it’s good to remember the impact Austin made and continues to make. Our prayers are with you…