Revisting...

Ok so I realize I have not written here in a long time, but I needed to just talk...even if no one is out there listening.

It has been nine months since Drew Howard went to be with Jesus...and what a whirlwind life has been since then.

I am now engaged to the love of my life Ami Pearson, we are set to be married next June 7 (08)...I am also teaching Theater at Grace Christian School, and going to school full time for Education...

It was rough for me for quite some time after Drew died...everything seemed to remind me of him and it was terrible. However lately I have been doing much better...until tonight. His parents posted a new update about how they have been doing...and I just broke down.

It was strange, but somehow I think I needed it...

Anyways be praying for me, if anyone reads this.

Adam

HOLY CRAP!

Oh MY GOSH!!! Saving Athalia (the band I am in) is playing at DORTON ARENA for NEW YEARS EVE!!! OH MY GOSH!!!!!! HOLY CRAPP!!!!

I needed some scholarships, but I did not know what to write. I had to create a 750 word essay for this one place, but I was not sure what to do. But then I decided to create a tribute to Drew. They asked me to write about something that meant something to me, and I know that I should write about his story, and in this way, I want to honor him.

How my life was changed.
 
I first met him over two years ago, when I was hired to work at Grace Christian School as an aftercare director, and a substitute teacher. He walked into my classroom that first late afternoon, full of energy, and curiosity. See not only was it the first day of class, but I was a new teacher, a new face.
He was six (almost seven) years old, and like most children of that age, he was talkative, and always on the move. Drew didn’t care who you were, if you would talk to him, and play ball, you were his friend.
The policy of the classroom was this; homework was done in the first half hour of class, and then you could be loud and have fun. It was the hardest thing for him to do. He usually got his work done in class, so he had nothing to do when he got to mine. So he would sit there, or take out a ball, and try to roll it quietly on the floor (it did not usually stay quiet).
I am the kind of person who loves kids, and loves to play with them. So playground time was the best for them all because “Mr. Adam” would kick the ball; push them on the swings, or chase them…and just have a lot of fun. Even when he was not in class that day, he would come by to talk with me, to see how I was doing, because he was like that; caring. He loved to be around me, and I him.
So for two years we got to spend time together, me being able to mentor him in the ways of schooling and our Lord, and he teaching me how to have fun, to just accept life as it came. This year however, the opportunity came that I was able to finally go to college, a dream I have always had. I left Grace Christian School, and drove an hour away to become a full time student. I still visited the after school class, to visit with “my kids” as I had begun to call them.
I love theater, always have and always will. I have decided to make that my major, as dreams of being an actor have always filled my head. I was about to leave for a rehearsal, when I received a call from my mother (who works at Grace as a 4th grade assistant) on Thursday September 21st informing me that Drew had been admitted to the hospital.
She told me that Drew had had a low fever Monday and Tuesday of that same week, but Wednesday it had gone away, and he had even gone to school. He came home, played with the family, ate dinner, and went to bed. Thursday his mother came upon him in the midst of violent seizures, and brought him to the hospital.
The doctors said that he was not responding to the anti-seizure medication, and so they had to put him into a drug induced coma. Friday they tried to take him out of the coma, but he was seizing worse, and so they had to put him into a deeper coma. His fever rose over the weekend, to dangerously high temperatures, and the doctors did not know why, or what was plaguing his body.
By Monday the 25th, they had determined that what plagued Drew was a virus, but one that they had never seen before. The little eight year olds condition started to improve, but Wednesday night he suffered two massive heart attacks. The doctors said that the virus had moved to his heart, but that he had suffered no brain damage, and was starting to again get better. But on Thursday, September 28th at 8:18 p.m.; Drew Howard went to be with Jesus. The doctors could not tell the grieving family why their little boy died, only three hours and forty two minutes before his ninth birthday.
What, you ask; could I have learned from this little boy? I tell you this; Drew Howard was a boy who embraced life with open arms, eager to do everything and anything that he could. He loved fiercer and stronger than anyone I have ever known, and died with a peace because he knew that Jesus was in his heart. So this I tell you, I will never forget him, I never could. So I say good bye for now, my little buddy, and rest with Jesus.

Still...

I am sure you are all getting sick of reading my constant emotional babble, but honestly this is the best way I know to let it all out. I was reading the Care Page that Wake Med has set up for Drew and his family, and I was astounded to read the strong message his family posted up there, just after his funeral. I thought I would share what their message was. I added a few notes in paranthesis, so you all could follow along.

*****
Even though our eyes are blurry with tears, our Lord Jesus Christ has become more in focus. The pain is remarkable, but your stories have encouraged us. We feel a double loss in Drew himself and in the absence of a "son" in our home. The inactivity and silence rips at our hearts. We as Drew's parents with his sisters will have to navigate this grief process slowly. We still have a measure of shock after Drew's fever and stomach ache took such a swift and dangerous turn.

So many of you rearranged schedules to greet us last night at Brown-Wynne(funeral home); we were humbled by your efforts and willingness to wait just to hug us. The sheer number of people who were touched by Drew showed us again so much love. Thank you for taking the time to share in our grief and honor our little boy.

And again today, as the four of us drove to church for his funeral, we were staggered by the amount again of those of you kind enough to stop your lives to bring tribute to our precious Drew. We felt your love, compassion, and hurt for us. Thank you for joining our family as we said "good-bye." We assured all of the people who participated in the service that each said exactly as we had hoped. The service was exactly the message we hoped to send: Yes, our family is in a mighty storm that will last our lifetimes, but our focus in the storm is on Jesus Christ.

Peter(Drew's father) updated this page just before he walked in to Drew's room and realized that Drew's heart was failing. Peter requested in that update that regardless of the outcome he wished that God would receive the Glory. We are constantly amazed at how that prayer request was honored. We designed the entire funeral service to show God's glory.

Even though we have a solid assurance that Drew's tender spirit went straight to Jesus's arms at 8:18 Thursday evening, letting go of his beautiful, strong body was unspeakably hard. The finality of the grave is horrifying when looked at outside of Jesus Christ's Resurrection. We are so thankful that Jesus Christ conquered the grave to give us hope!

Tonight, we all four feel weary from the long strain of the past 10 days. Our hope is that the girls will return to school later this week. Peter and I plan to resume our work schedules slowly soon. Many have asked of our needs. Our grief has a physical manifestation right now. Our bodies hurt. The energy many of you saw last night and today came from Jesus Christ alone. We were not acting in our own strength at all.

Please pray for physical strength for all of us. Please pray that our grief will focus only on what we have lost and not venture in any other ways. Please pray for Drew's young friends who are hurting and very confused. Please pray that as hearts have been stirred through our story, the Holy Spirit will draw each to Him.

Without a mighty work, Drew's loss is too costly. Please continue to share the stories with us of how God is using Drew's illness and death for God's glory. They encourage us so much.

Thank you friends and compassionate strangers for lifting up our family continually. Thank you for caring about our pain.

Still, The 5 Howards