Live Like Jojo

What an honor to participate in today’s CHOC Walk to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Even more of an honor….to walk with Team Live Like Jojo.

I met Monica Kalua Kline, Jojo’s mom, after Chandler died. We had coffee at a Starbucks a few months ago, and our souls connected. Her young son, Jordan (aka Jojo), died last year.

Just after arriving at the CHOC Walk this morning at Disneyland, Monica connected me with another walker I knew — the father of one of Chandler’s BEST friends! Actually, Monica and I wouldn’t have even met initially if it weren’t for this man. How providential that we got to walk together, chatting about life in general, but specifically about our sons.

The best moment of today…after our CHOC Walk, Monica was being asked about details regarding a restaurant for breakfast. She said she needed just a minute. Surrounded by t-shirts bearing her son’s picture, a grieving mom turned to another grieving mom, gave me a hug, and asked, “How are you doing?”

I was able all morning to keep at bay the profound sense of deep loss that I carry every minute of every day. This was Jojos’s day. Despite the fact that Monica had so graciously invited me to carry a poster with Chandler’s pictures on it. When this mom whose soul connects with mine took a moment from her son’s special day to see me, I choked up.

In the midst of her own whirlwind of celebration, loss, and every other emotion on earth, Monica said the truest words anyone could have said to me today. “No one can know unless they’ve lived it.”

Dear God, thank you, thank you, thank you…for soul connection with a fellow mom. For the privilege of sharing in the life of her son Jojo who I never met but feel like I know because of the legacy he left. For every mom who has lost a child, I pray your comfort, your strength, your peace, your sustenance. I pray for soul connections. For fellow moms who see one another and know the familiar pain. You are a good God. Thank you. Amen.