Heartbroken

This past week, horrible tragedy has devastated the hearts and lives of my family.
Tuesday morning September 9th, a freak accident in the bathtub sent my sister-in-law Kristina to the ICU. My brother Tommy unceasingly prayed for a miracle and diligently stayed by her side around the clock. After some time, it was determined she no longer showed any brain activity. Tommy, along with Kristina's family, came to the impossibly difficult decision to remove her from life support and donate her organs on Thursday.
Tommy, or Tom, as most people call him, was a broken man. Kristina was the love of his life, and he felt completely devastated at the thought of going on in this world without her. He told me several times during this awful time to tell his children he loved them so much. By Friday, we thought we had convinced Tom that he would get through this with the Lord's strength and lots of support from loved ones. No one could have known what was to come. Tragically, Tom slipped away while others were sleeping Friday morning, and later that day he took his own life.
I cannot describe the pain I feel. It is like nothing I have ever experienced.
Kristina and Tommy leave behind three beautiful, amazing, loving children: Austin, age 7, Ginny, almost 3, and Charlotte, 4 months. I have been blessed to be able to care for them during this time of uncertainty.
Please keep these sweet children in your prayers, as well as Kristina's family and my family, who are all grieving the tragic loss of two vibrant and loving people. Our suffering is far from over. I have found comfort in the fact that both Tom and Kristina were deeply devoted to their Christian faith. I believe they were truly meant to be together, as they now are in Heaven.

Kristina & Tom

Wedding Day 1996