One Breath At A Time, One Dollar At A Time!
We ALL Can HELP Everyone “Breathe” a Little Easier!
~ In Loving Memory of Caden Jordan Harn ~
May 7, 2002 ~ February 21, 2015
On Saturday, February 21, 2015, my cousin, Terri Lynn Harn, went thru a pain that no mother should ever have to endure. She, along with family and many friends lost a 12 year 9 month young, beautiful boy, her son, Caden Jordan Harn, to Cystic Fibrosis (CF) while in Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA, as God intended. Terri spent many endless days and nights, never leaving Caden’s side, in and out Children's Hospital, much of his life. Caden left us with a “lil’ smirk on his face” as to say, he won his battle, he can run fast, play hard and "Breathe Easy" now! Caden is at peace as a Beautiful Young Angel flying high and breathing freely in Heaven. Caden is the most loving, kind-hearted, cutest, strong little boy I’ve ever met. One can't help but, to love and adore him. Caden came into our lives, left footprints on our hearts, and we will never be the same. Terri doesn't want anyone to remember Caden as a sick little boy, but to remember him as the "fun loving, strong and the brave little boy that he is". Caden certainly stood up to the meanings of his name, “Fighter” and "Spirit of Battle"!
Terri, along with Caden's father, was given one of the hardest decisions any parent could ever face less than one week before he passed... the news that little Caden would need a double lung transplant. Caden is a little “worry wart” and he had enough on his little mind wondering if he would get well, fighting and struggling to just "Breathe" every day, that the family decided it was best to not tell him right away. But, it was as if he and God certainly knew what decision this family was struggling to make. Caden, along with God, decided that he and his family has suffered enough to just “Breathe” and hopefully their decision has put them all at peace knowing he is in a better place. Most say things happen for a reason and this is what we all have to believe.
Terri is a single mom of 4 boys’ total (including Caden) and grandma to one grandson. Terri is has always been constantly there for all her boys, 24-7, especially, for both of her sons that suffer with Cystic Fibrosis. “Yes”, I said both (2) sons. Unfortunately, not only one was recently lost to CF but, Terri’s 20 year old son, Devin, still blessed to be with us today, suffers with CF as well. Therefore, this burden of constant worry to keep another one of her sons as healthy as possible, "breathing" as easy as possible, only inspires her to keep "Hope", keep pushing to do all she can to help "Find a Cure" for not only him but, so many others struggling to just "breathe" every day a little easier.
Devin shared a special bond with Caden, like no other, because he fights CF as he did. He was the only one that sincerely, physically knew how he felt living with CF. The memorial was very hard for all of Caden's brothers, even his 2 half-brothers to bear. The brothers’ paths will continue to change as life goes along; the bond between them remains forever strong. The boys shared their own special bonds with one another individually and each have their own special memories of Caden that they will hold dear to their hearts always.
Terri has always been one that I so much admire for her loving, giving nature. Terri has never had much but, kept pushing to make sure that her family has what they need, no matter what she has to give up, it’s always been “Family Over Everything” in her eyes… I so admire this incredible quality she possesses. She is the most selfless person I know.
However, she struggles more now than ever, although she has her entire life. Her income has diminished since her son’s demise and she needs help so her family doesn't have to suffer worse financially and emotionally, all while grieving for her son. She is trying to find employment but, this is very hard as she’s never been able to hold a steady job due to the demand of 24-7 care for Caden, Devin as well as her other sons. That’s where we all need to pull together and help buy this mom the much deserved time to heal, time to grieve and to begin her new journey in life.
Terri always knew that if she had the time, she could help so many others that struggle as she does to "make ends meet" because they chose to care for their ill children, family or friends. She's always been involved with fundraising and helping to "Find a Cure for CF" as much as possible however, she knows she will have much more time to devote now and wants to help so many other families.
Her desire to begin some type of a foundation in memory and in honor of her sons that will help others in need so they won’t have to worry about how their rent/mortgage will be paid, how they will buy groceries, how will they continue to financially "make it" while not able to work, all because they chose to be by their loved ones side. No one wants to make this choice in life but, sometimes it's out of our control... how does one choose? If you were without the choice and had to be forced to not be there, one can expereince guilt if they lose their loved one. With that said, it explains why Terri gave up so much just to be there for her sons, all of them. She would never wish anything was different in her life, she would never trade all the days, weeks or even months of hospital stays just for money, materialistic things. Terri is a very strong and brave woman with a heart of gold. She has raised the most selfless boys/men I’ve ever met. She is one incredible, unique mom so deserving of anything she receives to help begin her new journey.
Terri needs to have purpose, needs to heal and I believe one way is for her to follow her heart, to do what she’s always aspired to do… continue helping others, help "Find a Cure". But, she can’t do this alone. She needs our help and I believe that with enough caring, giving people, we can buy her the much needed time to grieve and to beginn her new journey in life. Anyone that knows her and/or her family knows she’s true to herself, one unique loving, giving and caring person, one you would not regret ever knowing because she cares enough to try to make a difference and may possibly be the one that will help you, your family or one of your friends in a time of need.
With that said, help me to help her help so many others to come… Let’s pull together to show her that there are so many others out there just like her, just as selfless, giving, loving and caring, willing to lend a helping hand to say we do care and want others to continue to live, have purpose after a loss such as this. Let’s get this mom on a path of healing and start helping so many others in need!
Thank you for your support. You sharing this page, sharing information with us or advice you may have regarding beginning her journey or even the power of prayer will help in so many ways, more than you know if you can’t afford a monetary donation. All support and donations will help her and so many others to come.
If you are not one to donate on-line or want to give a monetary gift to help her in other ways (i.e. pay her rent, buy groceries, or just anything to help) please do not hesitate to contact me thru the resources of this GoFundMe Page and we will work something out.
Anything will help to buy this mom one more day to grieve properly, one more day to begin healing and help her begin her new journey to helping so many others! I can’t say that enough!
Thank you and God Bless You ALL! Please don’t forget to share this page on Facebook, Twitter, E-Mail. This story can help many others so let's try to spread this nationwide / worldwide. Research CF and read others stories of their struggles with this disease. My heart breaks for anyone that deals with this disease and their families.
Let's help everyone to just "Breathe a Little easier"
*This account was organized by Mindy Hersh to help her cousin, Terri Lynn Harn, in a time of need. I can’t personally give her enough to show my deepest sympathy and support to begin her new journey in memory of her son and in honor of her other son.*
*All monies donated to this campaign will be distributed appropriately to this family.If you may need more information about this campaign, please do not hesitate to contact me.*
~ A Mother Never Gets Over Losing Her Child, It Doesn’t Matter How Long It’s Been, How Old Their Child Was Or the Reason They Were Taken Away, Grief Does Not Ever Expire, Never Tell a Mother to Move On, Get Over It, or Be Happy Their Child is in Heaven Now, She’s the One That Has to Live With it Every Single Day!
"THE BRAVEST HERO I EVER KNEW NOW WATCHES OVER ME EVERY DAY!"