I receive many e-mails each day, requesting to know the cause of our son's untimely death. Please Share With Me Your Opinion Of This True And Unusual Story
I write this story to inform others of great works being done by The SADS Foundation.
I am very involved with the SADS foundation and have recently learned of a family that have four sons, all with this unusual condition. Fortunately, with new ways to detect SADS --- and implants to start the heart when the electricity stops -- all of these young men are fine. This condition affects mostly males, but some females have been known to have it.
Our son's autopsy report was finalized as: Undetermined, Natural Causes.
We have since learned the "probable cause" of death was Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome.
(SADS) It is a disorder of the electrical system to the heart. This is not a disease, but rather a very unique condition, that until recently, was very difficult to detect. The electricity from the brain to the heart either stops, or goes around, instead of through the heart.
My Prophetic Dream
Notation: The only Dream I've ever had ---- that came True!
Since the beginning of man-kind, the existence of angels and super-natural phenomenon has been debated. What you are about to embark upon is a factual experience, yet deemed unexplainable, by some. The following events occurred between March, 1989 and August, 1990.
March 13, 1989 our twenty-eight year old son, George Jr. (Georgie): Brother, husband, father and friend died suddenly and mysteriously. He was the epitome of health and the shock that rang through-out our community still resounds today!
He was an unusual young man, much like a magnet. Everyone seemed drawn to him. Though his schedule was demanding, he always found time to stop and speak with anyone desiring his young, yet vast wisdom and wonderful sense of humor! One man in particular who loved talking to our delightful son was the "pest control" man, Paul, who visited monthly. The two would engage in wonderful conversation about the woods,hunting and fishing. You will learn a *great* deal more of Paul, later.
Georgie's death was a crushing blow to so many! He was well known for his dedication to God, church, family and hundreds throughout the country, as he was lead guitar player for a well known Gospel Group, and traveled extensively. After the birth of his daughter in March of 1988 he made the decision to return to teaching, in order to maintain a close relationship with his family. He taught guitar, banjo, all stringed instruments and was in great demand. We had always been extremely family oriented and our lives were entwined as inner woven threads of
"Fine Silk"!
Georgie, his precious wife Kim, our new granddaughter Brittni, our younger son "Bubba," (not his real name) his wife, and our first-born grandson Christopher, enjoyed a life filled with unending love and laughter, abundant! ( Until that fateful day in March) Thousands came to visitation but the face I shall never forget was that of Paul, the "pest control" man. Why did this one face stand out among so many? The answer would come!!
Months passed: I never left the house except to attend church, where once I had been so active, yet now it seemed to be of little comfort! I pushed everyone away, including my dear husband, who was grieving for his son and now, the loss of his wife! I had became inconsolable. I just wished to be alone in my misery.
One night in June, 1990, I had the most remarkable and frightening dream! I saw three teenagers. The first, a beautiful girl seated in front of two boys. She was covered with blood and her hair color was a beautiful flaming red. The boy seated to her right had three spots of blood
on his clothing. His handsome young face seemed clouded by his most outstanding feature; light red hair. The second boy sat slightly to the left of the blood soaked girl. His complexion was very fair, with two spots of blood on his shirt. His hair was a soft strawberry blonde. I awakened suddenly, in a cold blanket of sweat! I recognized none of the three faces. I related the "nightmare" to my husband the moment he awakened. It was the first time I had wanted to be held since that dreadful March day of 1989!
Two nights passed and finally I fell into a deep sleep. My nightmare was fading. Awakened by the ringing of the telephone, I looked at the clock and my heart began to pound! It was 4:00 AM! I answered with a rather hesitant, "Hello." It was my sister's husband in Louisiana. He was very distraught, relating to me that his niece had been brutally murdered! He continued his story, with complete details of the gruesome event, yet wished me to know how beautiful she looked at visitation. The one detail, which he spoke of so adamantly?
Her gorgeous bright red hair!
I was silent as I listened for two hours and as the sun began to rise he seemed to find peace. Perhaps he chose to call our home because he had attended Georgie's funeral and had seen the out-pouring of love and grief, shared by so many. I felt an acute awareness to try and comfort him. We talked several times in the next few days and he seemed to accept the loss, releasing the bitterness that was so embedded. He rebounded much sooner than I.
Strange, very strange.
The beginning of July, knowing my resistance to return to mainstream, a very dear friend called and (choosing her words wisely) asked if I would consider substituting, on a bowling team, for a woman whose son had pneumonia. She stated I would only be needed for two consecutive Tuesdays. I decided this would be a good starting point, for none would know me except my friend (Vicki) who had called. I began bowling three day's later, but after two weeks, Carol, (whom I was substituting for) did not return. Asked to continue until she returned, I arrived the third week to see solemn faces and noticed much whispering. Immediately, I questioned Vicki. She told me that Carol's son had been transferred to another hospital and had been diagnosed with Leukemia! He died within a week!
An eerie stillness filled the bowling center and I had to know! "What was the color of his hair?
"Light red!
I continued to sub for Carol who returned very soon (too soon, I thought) after the funeral and we became good friends. I stayed to finish the seasonal league, substituting each week. I kept asking myself, "Why am I doing this?" My silent question was soon answered, as before me stood Carol. She had no one to talk with, so each Thursday evening we would meet and talk about her son and God. Weeks passed and I saw a wonderful new glow in Carol's face!
Strange, very strange!
My dream was of three teens and I was suddenly filled with great apprehension! Could this "cup" pass before me, and I avoid the third? I prayed for such, yet felt it could not be!
With the arrival of August, and Georgie's birthday approaching, I was very apprehensive. We had always had such wonderful family gatherings for all birthdays. My attention now however, returned to facts. School was now in session and though I was not prepared for the "outside world," I was aware (because of these two deaths) that God was using me to help others. I was facing the realization that I was not the only person who was suffering loss and grief.
One bright sunny morning I sat down, picked up the newspaper and saw a name that pierced my heart as a knife! An automobile accident, on the way home from school the previous day, had claimed the life of Paul's son. Remember Paul? He was the "pest control" man, and the face that I could not erase from that March visitation of 1989! Yes, now there were three. My husband cautiously asked if I wished to join him in visitation that evening for Paul's son. I had to go! Upon entering I re-lived Georgie's death, once again. Same funeral home, same exact placing of the casket! I could not enter the room! George helped me to stand, literally. Paul saw us and quickly came to say hello and thank us for coming! I expressed my sympathy and looked silently into "that" room.
There I saw the beautiful, "strawberry blonde hair"!
Paul continued to visit our home monthly, staying a very long while talking about his wonderful "boy" and the times they spent together. The same discussions he and Georgie used to have. This was a good Christian man who helped me more than I, him!
Strange, very strange!
The third and final in my dream! Why was the dream given to me? I know not for certain, but I do know that I was gently "pushed" into helping two grief stricken people and the third was destined to show me the way! Did God send angels to open my eyes and heart? Georgie died gently and peacefully, while these three precious teens suffered.
Our son's autopsy report was finalized as: Undetermined, Natural Causes. We have since learned the "probable cause" of death was Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome. SADS It is a disorder of the electrical system to the heart.
We sold our home near the Coast and moved inland to be near our younger son and his family. I often think of that dream. Many will say it was mere coincidence, but I know it was prophetic.
We, perhaps, are His "Angels Unaware."
SADS was founded in 1992 by Michael Vincent, M.D. and colleagues. Many refer to this disorder as The Long QT Syndrome. (LQTS) For further information on this sudden death disorder one may visit, www.sads.org.
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