Meetings and Partings
June 26th, 2014Hello everyone. It’s Eric. I have some news regarding my family and Snow by Night.
On January 15, my wife and I met Elise Rose — our second daughter. She was born with a congenital heart defect. The valves of her heart were not formed right, leaving her with effectively a two-chambered heart instead of four.
Elise spent the first two months of her life in the neonatal ICU. When she stabilized in March, she came home with us for a brief eight weeks. Her broken heart kept her from doing much more than eating and sleeping. But she was a sweet thing who loved cuddles. She looked up at you with big eyes and made adorable cooing noises.
Elise had her heart surgery on June 9. The doctors reattached the valves of her heart so that it would pump properly. She came through the operation well. Over the next week, she came off all the wires, tubes, and supports. After ten days, the doctors sent her home a second time. She was on the mend and growing stronger and louder with every day. She held a rattle for the first time. I was proud of my little Rosebud who had made it through so much.
On this past Tuesday, Elise took a turn for the worse. She had been fussy all day, but when her breathing started to become labored in the evening, we took her to the hospital. There, her condition quickly worsened. Within hours, her blood oxygen plummeted and her pulse failed. Every doctor in the ER must have been in that small room, working frantically to save our little girl, but around 10:30 they were unable to resuscitate her, and she slipped away.
My wife and I took turns holding her body until it went cold. Then, in the small hours of the night, we said good-bye to our Elise Rose.
I’m going to need some time. There is much to be done over the next couple of weeks. Family and friends are coming into town. A funeral has to be planned and a burial site chosen. Also, I need time to grieve the loss of my favorite flower. To give me time to do all this, I’m extending Snow by Night’s hiatus for three more weeks until July 21. My apologies for the delay, but I hope you will understand.
We close with the last of our hiatus updates — Jacqueline’s headshots by Julie. The extended hiatus graphic above is part of the cover for Chapter 9.
I consider being a father one of the greatest blessings in my life. May the God of all comfort be your comfort.
Our prayers go out to you.
No explanation necessary…..our prayers go out to you.
May you see God’s light on the path ahead when the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear, even in your hour of sorrow, the gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness never turn your hardness to stone.
May you always remember when the shadows fall – You do not walk alone.
I’m very sorry to hear about your loss and wish you and your wife strength and comfort. Take all the time that you need.
Take the time that you need, and my prayers will be with you.
I cannot possibly imagine what it must be like to lose a child. My heart breaks for you. Please, do take all the time you need to grieve.
You’ve given so much to us, the fans, and we are so grateful for Snow by Night, for all that you do for us… And you gave so much to Elise during her short time in this world. I know she is grateful too. My thoughts are with you during this heartbreaking time.
I’m so sorry for your loss… No parent should have to go through something like that… My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. It is an utterly unaccountable tragedy.
That’s heartbreaking. Condolences for your loss. May peace come to your family.
I’m so sorry.
I am so very sorry for you and your family. “Mein herzliches Beileid” from Germany.
I know that pain myself all to well. Take the time you need to mourn and remember all the support you have and take courage.
Dlgrtxghh …my heart sank when I saw this post and I was just going nonononoo til I got to… ugh. Now I’m just bawling ;_; I’m so sorry you guys. Lotta hugs @ you guys.
I’m so very sorry to hear about your loved one’s loss, take as much time as you need. Praying God will be with you.
My most sincere condolences, Eric. I lost a child at birth, and I know how devastating it can be. I am so sorry.
Toutes mes condoléances.
you take all the time you need. I can’ even imagine the pain you must be going through.
So tragic, so difficult. You and your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers. The loss of a child, particularly one so young, is the most difficult situation people ever have to face. Do what you need to do, take the time you need to take, tap into the love that surrounds you from family, friends, neighbors and fans which will hold you up when you cannot function on your own.. Peace
Sorry to hear about your loss, we had a miscarriage early in life it’s not the same but we have a taste of your pain, we will pray for you.
Oh no… Oh my gosh, I am so sorry for your loss. There would be nothing I could say that will ease your loss, I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose a child, especially so early in life. My condolences, thoughts and prayers are with you. Take what time you need.
There are no words that can encompass what you and your wife are going through or how sorry I am that it is happening. Take care of yourselves and heal.
I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’re struggling with right now, Eric, but I’m so very sorry that you didn’t have much time to get to know your little angel in this world. But take comfort in knowing that her soul is safe and she’s being taken good care of in Heaven, my friend. She’s happy and healthy up there, and she’ll be your guardian angel now until you two are reunited. Never forget her, but know that she’s with God now and He’ll keep her safe for you. May God bless you, my friend. Take all the time you need. We understand. It’s just a comic. You have our prayers, mon ami.
I don’t know what to say, other than I know that pain. You are not alone, and like those before you, you will survive this.
As a parent I can only imagine the sadness and loss you must be feeling, and it is my greatest fear. As much as I love your art and story please take as much time as you need.
I took a few minutes at work to check in and see if there was an update and I now sit here at my desk with tears in my eyes and am so sorry for your loss.
I say toss the three weeks. You take as much time as you need to heal and figure out how to move on.
Dear Eric-
I wept as I read this and then wept again as I read it to my wife. I looked at my two children, 4 and 18 months, grateful that they are with me still, and I gave them extra hugs this morning.
A few years ago, my 3 year old niece died in her sleep. She was a premie and struggled with her health, in and out of the hospital constantly. She was on the mend – that day, the doctor said that she was getting way better, and then she was lost to us.
I have watched my brother and his wife struggle with her loss over the last several years, and I ache for the hole in your hearts that will never be completely filled by anyone else.
I appreciate you being willing to share your story with all of us, and I hope that you receive some measure of strength knowing of all the people who pray for you in this difficult time.
I know that no words can really heal what is the most brutal of griefs for a parent, so know that I and many others stand with you, sharing in this time. I hope you are able to draw from our strength.
Best wishes and prayers are with you.
Such a terrible loss. My condolences to you and your family.
Add mine to the condolences. So sorry to hear about your loss, and wishing you the best it can be.
So very very sorry to hear of this Eric. My prayers are with you, deep condolences to you and your family. Elise’s body is at peace, her soul will always with you.
I’m really sorry to hear of your tragic loss. Never mind the words, just hum along and keep on going.
You have brought not only great joy but much learning and understanding to many people. Your warmth is being reflected back to you now and for a long time to come, even though perhaps you can’t feel it. Please understand that people do appreciate the efforts you have put into your work, and please accept our good wishes for all your family.
oh man. I’m sorry man.
My heart breaks for you and your wife. Take all the time you need, man. We love the comic, but people come first.
I’m so sorry. There’s no need to apologize for the extended hiatus, people hardhearted enough to care more about a comic than about another’s wellbeing in this manner are very rare.
I am so, so, sorry. Please know that you have my condolences.
As a parent myself, this is the sort of thing that haunts my nightmares. You have all my sympathy, for what it is worth.
“Do not weep for the years that were never experienced; but rather rejoice in the knowledge that the few days [she] posessed were spent in your company” -Anon
There is very little a stranger like me can say to bring confort, but if a few words and praying can add something, I truly hope you get a very good rest and may this be the last time you have to endure a pain near as horrible as this one.
God bless you.
I don’t know what to say… That’s a terrible tragedy. I pray for you and your family, so take off all the time you need. God bless.
I’m sorry that my prayers are all I have to give you for comfort, but I’ll give them to you anyway. I weep for your loss… but I’m happy that you got to hold her.
I can’t imagine anything more painful. Take all the time you need. I’ll pray for you.
That is tragic. I hope you and your family find comfort.
Oh… oh my. I’m so sorry about your loss. You take as much time as you need.
My condolences for your loss, Eric.
Maurice Ravel / Pavane for a Dead Princess
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e_btTyf5Oc
May you find comfort.
Es tut mir leid.
My prayers are with you and your family.
I’m saddened to hear about your loss, Eric. I’m so sorry :(
My heart breaks for you. I’m so sorry for your loss. Please consider yourself to have an endless supply of virtual hugs and support on tap … :(
I don’t know what to say, other than I’m sorry for your loss =(