Kevin Healey

In today’s post there is a photo taken of Kevin on his 20th birthday, April 13th, just 11 days before he died. In looking at the photo Tom and I realized how sick he really was by that time. On his birthday he was able to get up and sit in a chair for about 45 minutes. He knew that hospice was coming to inform him of their plan to care for him, and he was incredibly sad. So were we. Still, on that day he was lucid and, as always, no matter what was going on in his life, he had that incredible smile on his face. This photo is the last one ever taken of him, and it took me a long time to work up the courage to have it developed and look at it. My beautiful boy. And now to my beautiful girl… Many people have asked to see a photo of Mary Kate from her 8th grade graduation, and so one is posted today as well.

Tom and I met with Jon Jarc to discuss his new website concept. Essentially it is our intention to close down this website after perhaps 1 more post (with a photo of Kevin’s headstone – so that will be in a few weeks at least). This story is not “all about us,” and the news about Kevin’s health is over. However, hundreds of people have asked us to keep the website going. Neither Tom nor I see a purpose for that, but Jon had an idea through which people (especially Kevin’s friends and others who are united through this story) can interact and stay connected. Kevin still has a Facebook page, and it still gets posts (including a recent one from Mary Kate), but I feel certain we will close that out soon as well. Mary Kate has a nickname for me in terms of my lack of sophistication in fashion, technology – just about everything going on in this century – and so I won’t even attempt to explain the new website. Jon Jarc will do that after this post.

Also, I want to make people aware that there are books and CDs, etc. on the discernment of spirits. When Kevin was first diagnosed some wonderful people gave me holy medals, water, etc. from places that aren’t officially sanctioned by the Church. I naively believed that, “if it seems good, it must be good.” For those interested, I would highly recommend Fr. Benedict Groeschel’s book entitled A Still, Small Voice (Ignatius Press, 1993), or, better yet, the CDs produced by Marytown’s Fr. John Grigus. He has a 3-part CD series set, the 2nd of which is entitled “Discerning Authenticity of Private Mystical Experiences.” I learned so much listening to these very interesting talks (I listened in the car…this information is fascinating). I believe a person can order through www.marytown.com. St. John of the Cross is one of, if not the, official Church authority on private mystical experiences, and if anyone is brave enough to attack his essays (it isn’t easy reading!), he would be a great source as well. I say these things out of love for those who may be following inauthentic (or occult) people and experiences. A good friend gave me the CD set and for that I am profoundly grateful.

So, thank you for your continued prayers to help ease these very difficult days and nights for us. If you have our e-mail addresses or home address, stay in touch with us and let us know what it going on in your lives. We care very much about all of you, so keep us up-to-date and let us help you if you ever need our support. And for those people who understand my (exactly like Kevin's) sense of humor -- keep those funny e-mail forwards coming. The laughs are just what the doctor ordered, so to speak. I'll send some your way to reciprocate. Love to all,

Ann