Jacqueline Redesign - Headshots
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.
So sorry for your loss.
I am very sorry for your loss. The death of a child is inexplicable to a parent.
I lost a 10 month old son to an accident over 40 years ago and an 8 day old granddaughter 5 years ago. She was 3 months premature.
I’m so sorry for your loss. The pain must be awful. My wife and I had to be around the NICU in Victoria for a month last summer with the premature birth of our son… it wasn’t fun. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Amy and I greatly appreciate all your kind words. They mean a lot to me.
I’m working on the lettering for Chapter 9. I’m considering two different fonts. I’ve uploaded a sample page over on the Snow by Night Facebook page. Go on over and take a look and let me know your thoughts. https://www.facebook.com/SnowByNight
My thoughts are with you and your family. Take all the time you need, the comic can wait.
KLN
Good grief, I’m so sorry! I’m a new reader, just started today and eagerly read the entire thing – it’s fantastic, you’ve done a great job with it. But Mr. Eric, even though I’m just a kid, even though I’m new to this comic, I know what loss is. I’m so sorry you had to go through it, too. My prayers for you, and there is no doubt in my mind that you will meet your lovely little Rose again.
Eric, tale all the time you and your family need. We all support you and feel deeply for you. Snow and Blaise will be there whenever you are ready, as will we.
Scott
Eric, I am so sorry for your loss. Can’t imagine what you and your wife are going through right now. Praying that you can find comfort in your friends and your memories of Elise.
Take as long as you need. Losing someone is terrible and can take time to get past, so continue the comic when you’re ready, all of us can wait until that time.
My prayers and thoughts are still with you.
Condolences for your loss. Every grief is different – you and your wife do what you need to do, and don’t feel constrained by any timetables or expectations.
So very sorry for your loss – heartbreaking. Our prayers are with you.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please take all the time you need to heal, your fans can wait while you heal.
I’m sorry for your little girl. Take your time x
My condolences.
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your little flower. :( I hope you are doing well. Take all the time you need to heal and mend your heart. The loss of a life no matter how long it’s been alive is not easy to bare.
Sara and I were heartbroken to hear the news. You have our deepest sympathies, Eric.
I hope everything gets better with each passing day, and may everyone’s prayers bring some warmth and guidance.
I love the comic, but take as long as you need. So sorry for you.
Deepest sympathy for your loss. Adding my prayers and well wishes to those of the others. Take your time to heal and don’t hesitate to start and stop as needed. I hope that when you decide you are ready to resume, your art will be a source of solace and joy for you, rather than a burden.
I am so sorry to hear this. My heart grieves for you and your family. Don’t even worry about the hiatus or anything, it can wait for as long as it needs to.
Oh no, I’m so sorry! Take all the time that you need.
The loss of a child is an unbearable, indescribable pain. I am so sorry for your loss.
May she rest in peace… <3