Josephine Idalena DeMello
August 23, 2007 - March 10, 2008
There are times that we take our love
ones for granted. We forget to thank our friends and families for
everything that they do for us…May it be small or big. Take a look
around you; from the flowers that bloom, cars that come and go,
people we encounter on a daily basis, and to air we breathe. These
are the things that make our life so meaningful.
On August 23, 2007, Joey was born at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills California. She brought so much joy into the lives her parents, Gabriel and Yolanda, friends, families, and gave her sister Angelica the opportunity to experience on how it feels to be a “big sister.” Joey was a happy little baby. She always had a smile in her face, the most gentle and warm touch, and just a perfect little angel that captures all the attention and just washed away all the woes in life. There was never a dull moment spent with Joey. She was always an inquisitive little baby and loves to learn new things especially learning them together with her sister Angelica. Her tragedy begins as her mother told the story…..
This all started on March 10, 2008. Josephine was dropped off at the daycare provider at 7:30 in the morning. She was awake when she was taken out of the back seat of my car in her car seat. As always, happy and holding my left index finger. I entrusted her to the day care lady and Josephine gave me the look like this was the last time that I am going to see her. I said good bye and gave her a kiss.
At 1:45 in the afternoon, I got a call from the Simi Valley Police Department. The officer on the other line had asked me if Joey has a pre-existing condition. At this point, I was already in state of panic and tears start rolling down my cheeks and started screaming and asking the question:
"WHERE IS MY BABY???!!! WHAT HAPPEN TO MY BABY???!!!"
I was advised to go to Los Robles Hospital as soon as I can and Josephine was being transported and she was non-responsive. I was not able to finish my conversation and I started screaming and I knew something horrible happened to my baby. One of my colleagues drove me to the hospital and met my husband with the feeling of fear and pain. As we waited, every second that I don’t see my child was like hours passing so slow. I want to see my baby!!! We were then escorted in the emergency room where her body lays cold. The doctors came in and told us that they did everything they could, but Joey was gone. I held my baby and ask God why? WHY MY BABY???
I held her tight and pleading to God to let my baby come back and give us one more chance, but to no avail. The pain, fear, and sorrow rolled into one that day are incomparable. I became hysterical and my whole world came crashing down on me. I was in so much shock and could not accept that my little angel is gone.
We said our final goodbyes and at that moment, I thank the Lord for giving me opportunity to carry this child for nine months and sharing her life with us for six months. She brought so much happiness and love in our family and in the lives of others. She showed us the meaning of love and what is the most important things in life. It is a shame that it takes something like this to make us think, realize, and act upon what’s important.
Comfort is what I seek. This I find when I think about our angel in heaven where she was needed the most. A precious gift that no one could give and no money could buy. The gift of eternal life in peace and happiness and that is what she deserves. She is a special angel that watches over us. When I want to feel her, I just look up in the sky and close my eyes; there I feel her presence with an unconditional love.
Nothing compares to a loss of a child, everyone can all be there, yet help felt so mild. We wish we could turn back the clock, unfortunately this talent we all lack. So time goes on so very slow, we should forever and a day take the time to listen to what people around us has to say; how life is short and it’s not a race. Take time to remember a face. Tell those you love just how much, count your blessings and your luck. Stop your duties for awhile; give out hugs to your spouse and child. Ring a friend and make that date, don’t end up saying; “I was, but now it’s too late.”
On August 23, 2007, Joey was born at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills California. She brought so much joy into the lives her parents, Gabriel and Yolanda, friends, families, and gave her sister Angelica the opportunity to experience on how it feels to be a “big sister.” Joey was a happy little baby. She always had a smile in her face, the most gentle and warm touch, and just a perfect little angel that captures all the attention and just washed away all the woes in life. There was never a dull moment spent with Joey. She was always an inquisitive little baby and loves to learn new things especially learning them together with her sister Angelica. Her tragedy begins as her mother told the story…..
This all started on March 10, 2008. Josephine was dropped off at the daycare provider at 7:30 in the morning. She was awake when she was taken out of the back seat of my car in her car seat. As always, happy and holding my left index finger. I entrusted her to the day care lady and Josephine gave me the look like this was the last time that I am going to see her. I said good bye and gave her a kiss.
At 1:45 in the afternoon, I got a call from the Simi Valley Police Department. The officer on the other line had asked me if Joey has a pre-existing condition. At this point, I was already in state of panic and tears start rolling down my cheeks and started screaming and asking the question:
"WHERE IS MY BABY???!!! WHAT HAPPEN TO MY BABY???!!!"
I was advised to go to Los Robles Hospital as soon as I can and Josephine was being transported and she was non-responsive. I was not able to finish my conversation and I started screaming and I knew something horrible happened to my baby. One of my colleagues drove me to the hospital and met my husband with the feeling of fear and pain. As we waited, every second that I don’t see my child was like hours passing so slow. I want to see my baby!!! We were then escorted in the emergency room where her body lays cold. The doctors came in and told us that they did everything they could, but Joey was gone. I held my baby and ask God why? WHY MY BABY???
I held her tight and pleading to God to let my baby come back and give us one more chance, but to no avail. The pain, fear, and sorrow rolled into one that day are incomparable. I became hysterical and my whole world came crashing down on me. I was in so much shock and could not accept that my little angel is gone.
We said our final goodbyes and at that moment, I thank the Lord for giving me opportunity to carry this child for nine months and sharing her life with us for six months. She brought so much happiness and love in our family and in the lives of others. She showed us the meaning of love and what is the most important things in life. It is a shame that it takes something like this to make us think, realize, and act upon what’s important.
Comfort is what I seek. This I find when I think about our angel in heaven where she was needed the most. A precious gift that no one could give and no money could buy. The gift of eternal life in peace and happiness and that is what she deserves. She is a special angel that watches over us. When I want to feel her, I just look up in the sky and close my eyes; there I feel her presence with an unconditional love.
Nothing compares to a loss of a child, everyone can all be there, yet help felt so mild. We wish we could turn back the clock, unfortunately this talent we all lack. So time goes on so very slow, we should forever and a day take the time to listen to what people around us has to say; how life is short and it’s not a race. Take time to remember a face. Tell those you love just how much, count your blessings and your luck. Stop your duties for awhile; give out hugs to your spouse and child. Ring a friend and make that date, don’t end up saying; “I was, but now it’s too late.”
Angelica and Joey
