My Baby Boy Jude Died Here

Six years ago we spent Thanksgiving weekend getting ready for two more people to join our family. We had no idea then who was coming, the wonderful chaos that would be Thomas and Jude. All we knew was how happy, grateful, thankful we were.

Soon this room was filled with two little boys. Sleepless nights, cries, diaper changes, laughter, toddler babble, and love.

Three and a half years ago Jude died here.

Somehow this room has recovered, kind of, despite only containing one bed. One little boy. Half the laughter. Half the chaos. We can exist here. We can sing and play and love, and know that Jude is still part of our lives. But he should still be playing with us, singing with us, causing trouble. He’s not, because three and a half years ago a flu outbreak came through our community and stole his life from him, stole him from us.

The flu is preventable when we all do our part. ~3500 Canadians and ~36,000 Americans die from the flu every single year, but they don’t have to. The flu shot is starting to become available throughout Canada now, and is easily accessible through the US. If you can find it near you, please get it now. Every flu shot might stop the flu from reaching someone who might not survive it. You could save someone’s grandpa, pregnant wife, dad fighting cancer, or Jude. You can do that. That’s everything.

Thanksgiving is complicated for us now. We have a lot to be thankful for, but we’ve also lost a lot. It’s hard. Help us prevent others from being in our shoes. Get your flu shot, stay home when sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash your hands at least eight times a day. Whose life could you save?

#forjudeforeveryone #flushot #fluprevention #publichealth #communityimmunity #herdimmunity

Jill Promoli McGee Craig McGee

Credit https://www.facebook.com/forjudeforeveryone/