My Everything

By Lindsay Grady

On May 8, 2015, my precious Eli made his grand entrance into this world. He stole my heart from the moment I saw that blaring positive sign. He is the perfect mixture of my husband and I. My nose, lips, and curls coupled with Tom’s warm skin tone and beautiful brown hair made the most beautiful baby we could have ever imagined. My life now has meaning because that beautiful boy was and continues to be my everything.

On May 14, 2015, our perfect six day old son was taken from us by a demon named meningitis. Our life has forever been changed because of this sweet boy who danced so quickly into and out of our lives. Through this journey, I’ve experienced my darkest days when I have questioned why I am on this Earth when my heart and soul is in Heaven. Those days have also been accompanied by days that I’ve never felt closer to mine and Eli’s Savior. With time that has passed and lots of prayer, I have come to realize I do have purpose. My purpose is to live each and every single day for Eli while honoring him and continuing what he started.

While in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Eli was involved in a study that evaluates blood flow within the brain. Since Eli’s passing to Heaven, my passion is to bring awareness to these amazing tools – the Transcranial Doppler and the Electronic Link Interface, also known as the ELI! These devices monitor any conditions affecting the circulation of the brain, such as meningitis, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and during heart and other surgical procedures. They will give clinicians instant, real-time feedback and immediately alert them when something is wrong, wherever the clinician may be. I know Eli’s life will continue to impact and undoubtedly save millions of lives through this device.

The sweet, miraculous little boy who I held in my arms but for a moment, remains in my heart and soul forever. The promise of Eli and I being together again in our forever Home sustains me. Through all the heartache and pain, I am so blessed that God chose him for us. I would continue to go through the heartache a million times again to relive those absolutely beautiful days we had with him.

You are the reason I have and must continue, Eli. You give me purpose fueled by the truest, unabating love. I thank you for making me your mother. I thank you for teaching me how to love more deeply than I ever knew possible, and for that I am forever grateful and completely changed. I won’t let you down. I love you sweet boy.

Lindsay Grady is a Midwestern girl married to her best friend and true rock, Tom. She’s Eli’s Mom, and she thanks God every single day for blessing her with that title and choosing Eli for them.