On a Journey with H: Bereavement Support

To know the Gregory family is to know love.

 

And to know Houston Gregory is to know the sweetest giggles, the sound of bouncing, the love of a community, the care of two big brothers, and the strength of parents who would do anything for their children. To know Houston Gregory is to know one of the brightest and bravest souls.

 

On March 25, 2019 at 4:40 PM, Houston Lamar Gregory came into this world at 30 weeks and 4 days, weighing 2lbs 3 oz. Following his arrival into this world, he spent 48 days in the NICU, initially receiving 7 medically complex diagnoses.

 

Since then, the Gregorys have been on a journey with H experiencing their new life as a family with a child who has intense medical needs. They have supported each other through the incredibly unpredictable days that often began or ended with time in the ER. In the appropriate spaces, they intentionally included Houston's big brothers in his care process and navigated what this journey with H has meant to J and L as his big brothers have had a front-row seat to the hardships and grief of medical complexities.

 

If you browse the On a Journey with H Instagram or if you share a conversation with any member of the Gregory family, you will know that this journey has included many moments of joy, excitement, and hope at the same exact time that it has included moments of sorrow, confusion, and fear.

 

In June 2021, with the diagnosis of Infantile Spasms, coupled with Houston's now 20+ diagnoses, Houston entered hospice care. Unfortunately, Houston’s seizures continually progressed beyond what his medication could control. So theoretically, while the Gregorys knew this season would come, it was an overwhelmingly odd and tragic place to be. This was especially so as there continued to be many questions that had no answers, and there were no timelines given by doctors as hospice for children focuses more on comfort and quality of life over curative measures since nothing else can truly be done.

 

As the Gregorys continued on this journey with H, making sure that Houston knew that they were there for him and on his timeline, they focused on what mattered to them:

 

That Houston was happy, knew his family's love, and was comfortable, and he was (most days).

 

That J and L (big brothers) felt loved and supported, and they believed they did.

 

On March 13th, 2022, the doctors confirmed that Houston's body was shutting down. With the devastating news, the Gregorys spent their time being present as a family, cuddling with the strongest boy they knew, sharing the love that they are known for, and reflecting on their journey with H.

 

On March 21, 2022, Houston Lamar Gregory passed away, and in his last days, Houston was surrounded, comforted, and celebrated by a family who made sure he felt their love every minute of every day.

 

The Gregory family is grieving together, navigating a unique pain, and stepping into a new landscape on their journey with H. They so sincerely appreciate the love, care, and concern being offered to them from their community; however, in these next days, they seek privacy and will update the community when space allows.

 

If you are able to participate in this GoFundMe, you would be contributing to a fund that would support the entire Gregory family as they navigate potential future medical bills and unexpected funeral costs.

 

You would be allowing both Dee and Larissa the space to pause work, for now, to best support and care for Houston's incredible big brothers.

 

You would be assisting in creating intentional time for the Gregory family to grieve, heal, and regroup together.

 

You would be assisting a family that has continued to be a support to their community even while navigating the toughest years of their life.

 

You would be directly helping a family that has always been known for their love for each other and for others.

 

And finally, you would be honoring the journey of the most special boy named Houston Lamar Gregory.