My name is Michelle Renee' Rondauer.  I am 29 years old; I'm widowed (lost my husband over a year ago; he was killed in Iraq, during an insurgent's attack on his convoy), and I now have to raise two children by myself, including one who is multiply handicapped.

It's very hard, but I have the help of my mom, my sister, and friends from church.  I am very blessed.

Kyson was born with serious problems.  He was born with brain damage that's left him with the mind of a two-year-old, is legally blind, is hard of hearing, and cannot walk or talk.  He was diagnosed with having cerebral palsy when he was 15 months old; he will always have problems for the rest of his life.  He goes to a special school for children who are seriously disabled, either physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, or as in his case, multiply handicapped.

It was very hard on both Kent (he was my husband) and myself, but we feel fortunate that he is still here.  He's nearly died many times (due to pneumonia or any other respiratory-type illness, plus he has asthma real bad), but it's only by God's grace that he's here.  He's such a sweet little boy with a gigantic personality:  he laughs and/or smiles constantly!

In addition to Kyson, we have a daughter, Meghann Renee', who is eight, a year older than her brother.  She is a typical little girl:  loves to wear anything pink or purple, loves anything to do with "High School Musical" or Hannah Montana or the Jonas Brothers, loves gabbing on the phone or hanging out with her friends, and riding her bike on sunny days (or planning sleepovers on rainy ones).

Meghann sometimes gets mad at Kyson because he requires a lot of extra attention; however, deep down, we know she loves him.  She is very good with him, especially when he's sick or in the hospital; then you can see her praying her little heart out, asking God to "make her brother all better, so he can come back home to us".  It's really sweet!

Meghann also prays for the soldier-fathers or soldier-mothers in harm's way, asking God to keep them safe.  She really loved her daddy, and she still cries for him sometimes.  I do too; he was so good with not only Meghie, but with Ky.  He was the perfect father-figure, and he had so much compassion, joy, and love in that heart of his!

We still can't believe he's gone; but we know he's in a better place.  He knew Jesus as his personal Saviour, and I do too.  Meghie does too; I'm sure in his way Kyson knows about Him, too.  Every time we sing that song, "Yes, Jesus Loves Me (For The Bible Tells Me So)", he smiles and laughs and waves his arms.  That's his favorite song.  He can never get enough of it!

Well, Meghie is home from school with a cold; she's calling me, so I'd best run along now.  (Kyson's at his school.  He'll be home by three, three thirty, so I have several hours of relatively peaceful, quiet conditions.)  I will write in here again soon; I have more to tell you about not only Kyson, but Meghan and myself.  I feel our story isn't done by a long shot!  Take care, and may God bless you mightily!

~Love, your new friend in Rhode Island, Michelle Rene' Rondauer.