How God speaks to McKenna...

Dr. Reaney hosted a picnic this summer to say goodbye to his former patients and families...the amazing turnout was a testimony to the impact he had on his patients and colleagues.

About a year ago, McKenna had a doctor's appointment with her developmental pediatrician/behavioral specialist. Two days before we were scheduled, she kept waking up in the middle of the night.  Standing at the end of our bed, McKenna was obsessing over Dr. Reaney. She told me she was worried that he had cancer. She was crying and would not let the thought go. I assumed she thought he had cancer because he was bald...by choice. And so, I told her that he did not have cancer and that he was just bald..and that she needed to stop obsessing and go back to bed. But, she was convinced he had cancer.

When we went to see Dr. Reaney, we always scheduled 3 hours to get through all the kids' appointments. And so the day before thanksgiving over a year ago, we spent the afternoon with him. And as we were leaving the office, he pulled me aside to tell me that he had just been diagnosed with cancer and would be taking a leave for treatment. We were the last patients he saw...

I was stunned. I was speechless. I didn't ask him what type of cancer it was. I didn't have many words except to say that we would be praying. I didn't tell him at the time what McKenna had said. It was pancreatic cancer. And last week, Dr. Judson Reaney passed away from his cancer. He fought valiantly. He fought graciously. And he left a legacy of faith and compassion that will live on after him.

Doctor Reaney was an advocate for children with mental health issues. He was an amazing man. He had a deep love for people and he shared his commitment to making this world a better place. He shared his journey on his caring bridge site...taking care of those who would be left behind with every post.

I am so thankful that, for 13 years, we were blessed to have him in our children's lives...he was a gift to our family. He took the time to listen...and he always showed that he cared. He is a tough act to follow and now we are struggling to find another care provider of the same caliber.

I am not one to believe in psychic experiences but one thing is undeniable. McKenna has a special sense of things that can't be explained. She knows if my blood sugar is low in the middle of the night. She knows if something is wrong with the little ones before they are showing any signs of illness. And she knew that Dr. Reaney had cancer. God speaks to her in unique ways. He is close to her heart. And he will comfort as she says goodbye to one of her very favorite doctors...