We Saved You a Seat

“Grief is the price we pay for love.” - Queen Elizabeth II

 

“Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity; the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.” – Dr. Earl A. Grollman

 

Having friends and family who you can process the hard with can make all the difference.  This family spoke of and provided us a glimpse into the way in which they process grief together.  This episode is the final release of the conversation we recorded on July 31, 2021.  

 

There may be one or two bonus stories in this podcast as well about the Arnold family, Sibling Love and Support, and Processing Grief!!

This release of "A Copper Penny For Your Thoughts" episode, is a continuation of the beautiful conversation with Lauren's extended family on July 31, 2021. We are honored to share it with you, and yet, we know you will walk away from this episode experiencing a wide range of emotions, knowing that these memories, this conversation, these very specific words, were recorded just 17 days prior to Evan's passing.

 

When your sister, cousins, aunt, niece & nephew, mom, grandma and littles all come to visit [Lauren] in her home, you know it's going to be a good time; and to have an opportunity, to sit and hear their stories, and share in their expressed love for Evan and each other, you will wish you were part of their family.

 

Big Stories; Big Emotions; Big Memories, BIG LOVE!!!

 

 

#Menkes #Family #NoOneFightsAlone #TakeThePicture #EvansArmy #EvanKlingenberg #ShowUp 

I want to provide our listeners with the very hard and sad news of Evan passing away.

 

Sam and Lauren Klingenberg released a statement on August 17th that read:

 

"It has been and will continue to be the honor of a lifetime to be known as Evan’s parents. We couldn’t be more proud of the way he fought, smiled, giggled, and loved. Which is why it’s so hard to share that Evan passed last night peacefully in our arms as we said we loved him and kissed him goodbye. We find peace and happiness that Evan is no longer ill and is now in arms greater than ours.

 

We will have a longer post of love and reflection when the time is right. We appreciate the love, support and friendship from all of who have kept up with our journey, supported us, prayed for us, and blessed us. Loving and providing for Evan was the easy part. And while we’ve talked about life after Evan, nothing can truly prepare us for the days and weeks to come. We are well taken care of right now and appreciate everyone trying to help in our grief, but we don’t need anything immediate at the moment. Please be considerate if we don’t answer or respond immediately but I promise your kind words, thoughts and prayers don’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.

 

We will post later about celebration of life which will take place in the upcoming weeks.

 

Thank you for everything and for always choosing joy. #EvansArmy"

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The next three "A Copper Penny For Your Thoughts" podcasts we release this week, were recorded on July 31, 2021 when so many of Lauren's family were in town to visit.  This family has a motto, "No One In This Family Fights Alone"!!  

 

 

As you listen to their words and stories, you will hear their love and strength... and you will walk away knowing they do not lie when proclaiming that statement.

 

 

Precious Klingenberg family... you are loved!!!

 

 

#Menkes #EvanKlingenberg #FamilyIsEverything #NoOneFightsAlone

This episode is full of raw and real emotion. 

 

Momma D and Lauren jump in quickly explaining some of the emotional experiences they've shared, as well as, what has provided Lauren with the most encouragement from her own momma and family!  

 

#Menkes #ShowUp #NoOneFightsAlone

If you think you missed episode 07 of "A Copper Penny For Your Thoughts", you didn't, I promise.  We recorded episode 07 and decided to publish it after this next group of podcasts.  Very recently Lauren had lots of family visit and we had the opportunity to record some of the family stories and their voices.  These first two episodes are strictly Lauren and her mom, Debbie.  We have additional family members join us in the following episodes, which you will not want to miss.

 

With our first release this week we welcome Lauren's Mom, Debbie, also known as, "Momma D" in Evan's world.  You will find this episode to be full of laughs, strength, and reflection.  You will hear a grandmother share her heart and express all the joy of being a grandparent, as well as, gain some insight on what having a grandchild with high medical needs/terminal illness looks like.

 

This episode of "A Copper Penny For Your Thoughts" is fun, uplifting and I know you will enjoy hearing Lauren and Momma D bounce the conversation back and forth.

 

#Menkes #MommaD #Grandparents #Family #13PeopleComingThisWeek #EvanKlingenberg 

Our third and final episode with Chelsea gives us a glimpse into the relationship Kenna has with her brother as well as discusses a couple of additional medical challenges Kenna has faced the past few months.

 

For those wishing to follow along in Kenna's journey, feel free to join her Facebook page: Kenna's Journey

 

Thank you Chelsea for sharing Kenna.  You brought awareness, education, conversation and support to many who needed to hear your words and thoughts surrounding Angelman Syndrome.

 

#AngelmanSyndrome #TonicClonicSeizure #HenochSchonleinPurpura #HSP #JuvenileArthritis 

Join us today as we continue our conversation with Chelsea.  She provides us with information about Angelman Syndrome from a parent perspective and shares with us some wonderful resources which have been extremely helpful to/and for her and her family.

 

We also hear from Chelsea about some unique to Kenna health concerns that have plagued her for several months.  Chelsea describes what it was like trying to be the advocate Kenna needed.

 

Resources Mentioned:

FAST: Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics:   (https://cureangelman.org/)

Angelman Syndrome Foundation: (https://www.angelman.org/)

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What is Angelman Syndrome?

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare disorder caused by the loss of function of a single gene and affects approximately 500,000 people worldwide.

Symptoms typically become noticeable around the age of 6-12 months and may include difficulty suckling and eating, gastrointestinal issues, delayed crawling and babbling, balance and motor impairment, and seizures. Some individuals never walk, and most do not speak. And while they require continuous care, they have a normal life expectancy and a distinctly happy demeanor, characterized by frequent laughing, smiling and excitability.

 

#AngelmanSyndrome #FAST #ASF #Genetics #RARE

Meet the Lawson family!!!

 

In Today's podcast you'll hear how Chelsea knew something wasn't "right" with her new daughter, Kenna, and simply wanted, needed, answers.  After multiple hospital admissions, discharges, readmissions, and a stay at Bethany Children's Rehabilitation Center they finally received a diagnosis.

 

Listen in today as Chelsea describes what the first four months of Kenna's life consisted of, as they tried to find ways to help their daughter and get the answers they needed to move forward.

 

#NICU #Polyhydramnios #FloppyAirway #Laryngomalacia  #TCC #BethanyChildrensRehabilitationCenter #AngelmanSyndrome

 

We continue our conversation with Sam and Lauren today.  We discuss speech devices, communication with dad, and talk about how much Evan loves his dad.

 

We also ventured in to some very hard conversations today, and Sam provides us some perspective on what "end of life" conversations sound like with physicians, and how they prepare themselves, their family, for that hard moment.

 

#Menkes #MarriageAndMenkes #EndOfLife #CommunicationDevice #HardTopics #EvanKlingenberg

 

 

Today we release "A Copper Penny For Your Thoughts" episode #5 - Marriage and Menkes...

 

Our special surprise guest Sam Klingenberg (Evan's Dad) joined Lauren and I, to discuss one of their favorite topics, Evan!!

 

We had an amazing discussion with Sam and I know you will enjoy hearing their podcast today...

 

If you haven't heard episodes 1-4 yet, you really need to start at the beginning to hear how it all began...

 

Episode 01: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-bkq38-10746c9

Episode 02: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pemk9-10746d0

Episode 03: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-deipj-107478d

Episode 04: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-j9v87-1080ec9

 

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Today we have double the guests with Lauren and Sam (Evan's Dad) joining us! Evan's Dad brings unique perspective and having Lauren and Sam bounce conversation and thoughts off of each other provides fun dialogue!!

 

As you listen in today you'll hear Sam and Lauren discuss how Menkes has impacted their marriage, influenced the hopes and dreams they both had, and how they work together to give their family all the special memories.  You will also hear Sam's heart as he shares some of things he cherishes most!!

 

 

#Menkes #MarriageAndMenkes #MakeMemories #ItIsAllHard #BreakfastDates #EvanKlingenberg