Beckah was a single parent, raising her two children, a little girl, aged five, and a two-year-old son.  Her first husband, Dean, had walked out on them when he learned that the younger child had significant brain damage.  For a year she struggled to raise her children on her own, but then I walked into the picture, and ... it was instant love at first sight.

Our lives (mine or Beckah's) haven't been the same.  It was as if God, Himself, orchestrated this plan into action and the rest, as they say, is history.

Beckah's children are adorable.  Five-year-old Ramona Dean is full of fun and never-ending curiosity, and Garrett Storm, the son, is sweet, quiet, and unassuming.  

Garrett also happens to be severely brain damaged as the result of cerebralspinal  meningitis he suffered when he was less than a year old.  He cannot walk, talk, see, feed or dress himself, or lift his head.  All he can do is lie there and wait for someone to take care of his needs.  He is totally dependent on others.  It breaks my heart because up to the time of his illness, little Garrett was a normal, happy little baby who was developmently "on target".  Now he has lost what skills he has learned and his life will never be the same ever again.  It's a really tragic situation.

It was hard on Beckah because in addition to taking care of Ramona, she also had all of Garrett's needs to consider: tube feedings up to five times a day.  Diaper changes.  Helping with bathtime, dressing and undressing him.  Checking for bedsores, making sure he got moved every so often, so he wouldn't develop bedsores from lying in one spot.  And if there were, treating them and reporting them to the doctor.  Trying to keep him healthy so he wouldn't end up in the hospital yet again. And if Garrett did end up in the hospital, trying to find a babysitter for Ramona, so my wife could spend all her time with her sick son.

Ever since I have entered Beckah's life, her world has gotten much easier.  Both her children have a father figure again and have since learned to accept me (well, Ramona has, anyway; I am not so sure about Garrett, but he does enjoy it when I hold him in my lap or read and/or sing to him).  Beckah can do more running around and get out of the house with friends because I'm always there with the kids.  

I was working, but got laid off.  It's tough, but God's provided for all ou needs.  I will find a new job some day, but right now I'm just enjoying spending time with the children.

Anyway, today I took Garrett and Ramona with me to the store, then out to eat.  Beckah had a doctor's appointment, so I took charge of the children.  They behaved themselves; I was very proud of them both.  Garrett usually does behave himself, but Ramona can be a little firecracker at times.  Today, though, she managed to keep her hands to herself and stood quietly when we were in line at the bank and didn't ask me to buy her any toys while we went to Wal Mart.

When we got home, I made lunch (hot dogs and mac and cheese) and prepared Garrett's nutritional suppliment; the kids are eating now as I write this.  Ramona is chatting a mile a minute, and I am waiting for Beckah to return home from the doctor's.  Hopefully it was a good experience for her; I hope she isn't sick or something ... It has been a good, if rather busy, morning.

Well, I just heard Beckah's van pull into the driveway, so I must go.  I hope you enjoyed reading about our lives.  I will be writing more; this isn't the last you have heard from me, or our little family!  Until next time, this is Douglas Herminez saying so long; may God bless you as much as He's blessed us!

~Doug. 

~To be continued!~