The frame, capturing the moment of incredible grief, flew around the Internet.
John and Imogen Petrak were happy together: they raised their son JB, were expecting their second child. A girl was to be born. They even thought of a name for her in advance – Eleanor. But when Imogen was 36 weeks pregnant, she suddenly had a terrible ear ache. Alarmed, John took his wife to the hospital. There she was diagnosed with infectious meningitis.
The disease developed rapidly. Cerebral edema began. It was necessary to act very quickly, otherwise both the mother and the unborn child could die. Imogen was sent for an emergency caesarean. The operation was successful – for the child. Eleanor was born. She was absolutely healthy, although she was born a month ahead of schedule. But Imogen could no longer be saved. The infection was eating up her brain. A few hours after the birth of her daughter, Imogen died.
John knew there was no hope. And he decided that their son should see his mother for the last time. Let him not understand this, because the baby JB is only one and a half years old, but the boy must say goodbye to his mother. Imogen lay in a hospital bed, all entangled in wires and pipes. She was already unconscious. The moment when the little boy kisses his mother for the last time on the cheek will forever remain in the photo.
Photo local priest Rene King – Imogen and John were his parishioners. He turned to his flock for help, because John was left alone with two children in his arms.
“The kids were left without a mother so early. And John lost not only the mother of his children, but also the companion of his whole life, his beloved wife. His life turned upside down. How will he explain to his son that his mother will not return home? I can’t imagine. Please help him. Give John a year he can live without worrying about not having to pay the bills. He needs to understand how he will live without his wife and mother of his children, ”the priest wrote, addressing all caring people.
Rene King talked about donations, however small: even the five dollars that are usually spent on a cup of coffee will not be superfluous. For a month, people donated more than 120 thousand dollars to an orphaned family – they threw off two, five, ten dollars. Someone managed to give 100, someone 200. Many offered to help with clothes or sit with the children. “Thank you for your kindness, generosity and your prayers. After all, I don’t even know all these people, but they helped me and my children. No words can express my gratitude, ”John wrote back.