Four: A Tribute to My Son Kyle Nixon

[Today is my oldest son Kyle’s 25th birthday. This post is a tribute to Kyle’s life.]

The Nixon kiddos acting goofy (as usual) at the Biloxi Aquarium.
The Nixon kiddos acting goofy (as usual) at the Biloxi Aquarium in 2004.

“How many children do you have?”

Such a simple question to start a conversation. Or is it? In the past (almost) three years, that seemingly simple question has caused me to fight back tears as I determine how to answer it. Do I say “three” or “four”? You see, in 2011, early in the morning of September 29th, our oldest son died unexpectedly.

My husband Kevin was out of town on a business trip. I woke up that morning and saw more than 20 missed calls and texts on my cellphone, which I left on Silent overnight.

My heart sank.

I listened to the one lone voice mail, which was from East Alabama Medical Center asking me to call immediately. A million things rushed through my mind in that instant, but I knew whatever it was had to do our son Kyle, a graduating senior at Auburn University.

I sank into the footstool of my favorite chair in the living room and called the hospital back, not really knowing what I was about to learn, yet fearing the worst. Upon finally reaching the nurse who had called me, she said that my husband was on the phone with “the doctor” and that Kevin would call me back after he their conversation was done. I swear I didn’t move a muscle until I saw Kevin’s face show up on the caller ID on my phone.

“Hey. It’s about Kyle. He had a seizure. He didn’t make it.”

I was stunned; Kyle was a healthy 22-year-old college senior. I have no idea what I said back to Kevin or how long we talked, but I do know he told me he’d leave Miami immediately and drive back to our home in Lakeland, FL, about three hours away.

How long I sat on the edge of my green footstool, I have no clue. But then the bible verse of the day app on my phone messaged me with Proverbs 3:5-6.

trust

I found out later that Kevin had read that same verse just moments before calling the hospital.  We’ll come back to those verses in a moment.

The next 24 hours were a total blur. Telling Kyle’s sister and brothers what had happened, given the limited knowledge about HOW he died, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. But I knew I had to tell them right away — without Kevin’s help, before they found out via social media or a well-meaning call or text from one of Kyle’s friends.

One thing that Sam said to me echoes in my head almost every day. “I don’t even remember the last time I talked to him.”

Kevin and I made all the requisite calls to family right away, often asking someone to share the message with others. These calls were so hard to make, trying to console family members while we were so deep in our own pain.

Then I put a message on my Facebook wall

fb

Hundreds of messages of support through Facebook, phone calls and texts (and a few unexpected and welcomed face-to-face visits) helped me through these next hours.

A week or so after he died, we drove to Auburn for Kyle’s memorial service. I sat in the back seat and wrote. A lot. And I’ve spent time writing during many sleepless nights; I don’t want to forget a thing about my life with Kyle in it.

So this flood of memories led me to think about what I’ve learned through this experience:

  1. If you’re a parent, be sure to get to know the friends of your children, whatever their age. Kyle’s friends have been a constant support for me during this last year.
  2. Social media rocks. It really does. I can’t imagine how I would have gotten through these long months without being able to connect with friends that I know in real life, and those I don’t, immediately.
  3. Become an organ donor. I was amazed at how many people will have their lives changed because Kyle chose to be an organ donor. We learned that it’s 75 or more.
  4. If you have younger brothers or sisters, KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEM. (I wrote this in all caps because I was really yelling.) The hardest thing for me right now is hearing Kyle’s brothers and sister say “I can’t remember the last time I talked to him.” It is tearing me up inside. I know that college is a time to become independent. But that doesn’t mean that you have to totally break free from your family except for the occasional texts asking for a deposit on your debit card or updates on the football game.
  5. Proverbs 3:5-6 is now a bible verse that I meditate on daily. We must trust God. It’s not up to us when one of us is called to Heaven. God chooses on His own time. And I pray that at some point I understand why He chose now to be Kyle’s time.

Getting back to how I answer the “how many children do you have?” question.

Image Credit: "Four" by Nicolas Vigier
Image Credit: “Four” by Nicolas Vigier

I have four children.

 


10 Replies to “Four: A Tribute to My Son Kyle Nixon”

  1. This is as heart-breaking as the first time I read it. May you have the peace that only God can bring every day.

  2. I just can’t even imagine… The strength and grace you show now is a testament to God’s promise found in the scripture you mentioned in your story. Trust in the Lord. As much as we like to feel like we are in control or able to reason out everything according to our own power or wisdom, we are simply incapable when it comes to such an aching loss. There are just no words, no reasons, no answers that satisfy. When we submit our lives (and those of our children) to God, he causes all things, good and bad, to work together for his good. As you mentioned in your post, we don’t understand it now, but that goes back to the trust part. There is such beauty in a life submitted to Christ – I’ve seen it in your life, and I thank you for your example. Thank you for sharing your story. I pray that God blesses your family with many, many, many more days of joy and laughter. Y’all are a fun bunch.

  3. Barbara thank you for sharing your post. Sending Love and Light you and your families way as you celebrate Kyles life especially today. Blessings Becky

  4. Beautiful tribute, Barbara. Proverbs 3:5-6 has been my favorite verse for so long! I lean on it and God and not my own understanding! Wonderful advice for all of us! Still wishing we had gotten to know each other face to face here in Lakeland, rather than on Facebook. But I agree about social media….FB was my lifeline through Greg’s 15 month journey with cancer. Happy heavenly birthday, Kyle! I’m sure he and Greg have met and talk about their crazy moms! Love you, Sister!

  5. Dear Barb…… 5 years ago on Memorial Day Sunday, I was at Wal-Mart getting ready to go for a boat ride and a picnic when Dave called about Niles having a seizure…. And you know that I became a member of the “CLUB” no parent should ever have to join….. and then I read your facebook and saw that you also became a member…… Every photograph I see of our kids reminds me that there will never be another and that time will forever stand still for us…… why I hear Jim Croce singing “Photographs and Memories” These are all I have to remember you…. but we sure had a good time when we started way back then……
    Logos and running through the church…. simple suppers and all the fun things the kids did that we rolled our eyes at…… big hugs …. I guess we are “SISTERS’ now…
    Do you remember what it was like when you heard about us losing Niles…. how you thought “I can’t Imagine”? Unfortunately now you can…… as you can relate to your new friend who has just become a new member….. and No… You just CAN NOT IMAGINE…because we are never meant to be able to wrap our minds around it…… <3

  6. Barbara, my heart goes out to you. Exactly 7 months ago (11/11/13) I lost my mom (and best friend) to cancer. I understand the loss of a child may be different than the loss of a parent; regardless, pain is pain, and I feel yours. Thank you for sharing such a touching story!

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