Healing Caliyah
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I almost feel a sense of paralysis trying to type these words. As the tears fall, I ask myself, “Are you really ready to share your story?” The irony in that is that I’m a media host/blogger, so storytelling is something I enjoy doing. I don’t know if it’s the storytelling part I’m unsure about, or if it’s simply me being in a state of vulnerability for the first time in my life. Either way, my hopes in sharing this story is solely to share my journey; in hopes of healing others.
So........ Here’s My Story:
On April12, my daughter and I spent the night counting the stars. I was taking out the trash and she followed me as she normally does. I picked my daughter up, and as we looked up at the skies she says to me, “I wish I can be ALIVE.” A warm feeling came over me. A feeling that something was about to happen, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. The next day I would be admitted into the hospital due to high levels of stress.
On Sunday April 15th, my family came to pick me up from the hospital, but first sat me down to tell me there had been an accident that occurred that Saturday, April 14th. My mind was racing; once again unsure as to what was really going on. They told me that my sister-in law and 4 year old daughter was severely burned from a fire. After my family telling me everything was ok; they drove me from one hospital to another. Upon arriving to the hospital where they were, my body became numb. My heart was racing, and for the first time I wasn’t prepared. I can’t tell you what my thought process was like at that time. All I know is when I saw my 4 year old daughter lying in that hospital bed with third degree burns all over her face; my heart stopped.
After they picked me up off the floor, I worked up enough nerves to go closer to my daughter and touch her hands. I didn’t quite understand why something this tragic would happened to us, but as I stared at the distortion in my beautiful baby’s face; she squeezed my hand.
She has a long road to recovery and is still in ICU. I haven’t verbally spoken to my baby girl since April 12: the night we counted the stars. I told her that night how thankful I was for her, because only she knows the hurt and pain I feel some nights. Only she knows, as strong as the world knows her mother to be; she too gets weak. So, for me this is bigger than money. I’m getting healing by simply sharing my TRUTH; so money would never compare. However, the reality of all of this is still at hand. Monies will go towards her hospital bills, therapy and home care. I’m also creating a special library in her room in order to read an array of books to her as she recovers; in hopes of healing her through words. I want to read books to her about her history, fairytales, love, and most importantly forgiveness! You see Caliyah brought all of that through this tragedy. I’m hearing from family members who I haven’t heard from in years. I’m more forgiving then I’ve ever been, and most importantly I love harder then I’ve ever loved. My baby is such an amazing 4 year old with a spirit that shines like a light. My hope is that maybe I can shine it into you.
Check out my blog at (SheThoro.com) and continue to follow our new journey on a the road to recovery. You can also follow me on social media at @shethoro (Instagram) and Latoya Heyward (Facebook).
In in the words of Winston Churchill, “These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived.” I now know the best it yet to come! #wethoro #godisthoro #hethoro #shethoro
Love Always ❤️
So........ Here’s My Story:
On April12, my daughter and I spent the night counting the stars. I was taking out the trash and she followed me as she normally does. I picked my daughter up, and as we looked up at the skies she says to me, “I wish I can be ALIVE.” A warm feeling came over me. A feeling that something was about to happen, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. The next day I would be admitted into the hospital due to high levels of stress.
On Sunday April 15th, my family came to pick me up from the hospital, but first sat me down to tell me there had been an accident that occurred that Saturday, April 14th. My mind was racing; once again unsure as to what was really going on. They told me that my sister-in law and 4 year old daughter was severely burned from a fire. After my family telling me everything was ok; they drove me from one hospital to another. Upon arriving to the hospital where they were, my body became numb. My heart was racing, and for the first time I wasn’t prepared. I can’t tell you what my thought process was like at that time. All I know is when I saw my 4 year old daughter lying in that hospital bed with third degree burns all over her face; my heart stopped.
After they picked me up off the floor, I worked up enough nerves to go closer to my daughter and touch her hands. I didn’t quite understand why something this tragic would happened to us, but as I stared at the distortion in my beautiful baby’s face; she squeezed my hand.
She has a long road to recovery and is still in ICU. I haven’t verbally spoken to my baby girl since April 12: the night we counted the stars. I told her that night how thankful I was for her, because only she knows the hurt and pain I feel some nights. Only she knows, as strong as the world knows her mother to be; she too gets weak. So, for me this is bigger than money. I’m getting healing by simply sharing my TRUTH; so money would never compare. However, the reality of all of this is still at hand. Monies will go towards her hospital bills, therapy and home care. I’m also creating a special library in her room in order to read an array of books to her as she recovers; in hopes of healing her through words. I want to read books to her about her history, fairytales, love, and most importantly forgiveness! You see Caliyah brought all of that through this tragedy. I’m hearing from family members who I haven’t heard from in years. I’m more forgiving then I’ve ever been, and most importantly I love harder then I’ve ever loved. My baby is such an amazing 4 year old with a spirit that shines like a light. My hope is that maybe I can shine it into you.
Check out my blog at (SheThoro.com) and continue to follow our new journey on a the road to recovery. You can also follow me on social media at @shethoro (Instagram) and Latoya Heyward (Facebook).
In in the words of Winston Churchill, “These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived.” I now know the best it yet to come! #wethoro #godisthoro #hethoro #shethoro
Love Always ❤️
Organizer
Latoya Heyward
Organizer
Decatur, GA
