Cameron was an amazing little girl who died on January 19, 2006. She was truly one of the most precious people to ever walk this earth. As her parents, we will never be able to express the loss we feel now that Cameron is gone. Carington Hope
Tomorrow, our baby girl turns one year old! On January 31st of last year, I was at the clinic working and a heavy snow started to fall. I went to my OB appointment around noon and according to the doctor, still had a few days to go until my baby arrived. The due date was Feb 10th. I remember wanting to make it to February, so January could be Cameron’s month. I came home that afternoon excited about having a baby on the 6th of Feb– the date my OB and I has settled on for induction. Derrick and I finally committed to the name Carington. We had picked out the middle name, Hope, almost as soon as we found out she was to be a girl.
At 4:30 A.m. on Feb 1, my water broke. This is exactly the time and same way my labor started with Cameron. There was no denying it was time to go to the hospital. I think my parents were in shock when I called them. They drove carefully from Rogers on the snow. Mom, Derrick and I arrived at the hospital around 6:00. Carington was born at about 11:30 a.m. 7 lbs 15 oz, 20 3/4 inches long.
I am sad that she will be one tomorrow. It is causing me a lot of anxiety. She is my baby girl. Just like Cameron was. Cameron was the first, Carington the last. How do I know that she will be safe? She has brought real joy to my life during a time that joy was stripped away from me; a time during which I thought I might not survive. Carington is my hope. and Cameron is my inspiration. And Kennedy and Brooklynn have given me a reason to keep going when my will to go on was otherwise missing in action. My girls– they are all so precious to me. I want to be the best mom to all of them. I want them to live and prosper and contribute to this world in a positive way.
Happy Birthday, Carington Hope. Happy February. Good-bye to another January. I keep holding on to the past, but the days keep rolling on. 2008 is here. Let’s make it a year to make a difference. It’s another chance to make Cameron proud.
Posted in Susan's diary |
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Dear Susan and Derrick,
I was one of Derrick’s “rat-pack” friends in High-School in Little Rock.
I heard about your loss sometime last year and have had you both in my heart since.
I have been with St. Vincent Hospice for several years now and have seen many amazing people (like yourselves I might add) make wonderful things happen as a result of their child’s death.
I send love and prayers your way.
Take care-
Tracy
February 4th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Susan, I read the Millsaps Magazine I just received (perhaps for the first time ever) and saw the birth announcement for Carington Hope. Congratulations! However, it was Cameron’s name that really caught my eye as I have an 18-month old Cameron. I cannot imagine the loss you and your family feel, but the work you’re doing to carry on her name and legacy is wonderful and inspirational! I wish nothing but blessings for you, Susan.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Susan and Derrick,
I came across your site while looking for some books for my daughters. Susan was my childrens pediatrician when we lived in southern Oklahoma. Kylie and Alaina Warford. She was the first doctor that Kylie didnt scream with. She loved you Susan. That meant alot to me to be able to take my child to a doctor and not have her scream the whole time. I never met the rest of your family but from what I seen while in your office, you were and excellant doctor and the light in your eyes when you talked about your family I could tell that you love them very much. My heart broke when I heard about Cameron.
I love what you and your family have done in honor of her. Kylie ask me all the time where doctor Averitt is and wants to know if you are okay.
We now live in northeast Oklahoma. I now hope to donate books in Camerons memory. Kylie loves to read and she would love to do this also.
I am so happy for yall to have Carington. She is very blessed to have parents like you.
Thank You for all you did for my kids.
God Bless you for everything you do. I will keep you in my prayers.
Blessings and Prayers
Crystal (Kylie, Alaina and Jason)
March 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Hey Susan & Derrick,
I can’t believe how fast the time passes. I love to hear about the great things you guys are doing to honor Cameron and help others. She would be so proud! My family and I miss your family a great deal, and hope you are doing well! We are still living in the OKC metro area and have finally found a pediatrician that we feel good about, and that Halle likes, which is very important to us! That said, Susan you will always be the best to us and I love you very much! You and Derrick are awesome and yall have a great bunch of girls! My heart broke when Cameron was killed, so I could never imagine the pain you all felt, and still feel. It is my pleasure to contribute to your organization, and I commend you guys for doing this. It will make a wonderful difference in the lives of so many! Susan, I must tell you again how much I love your mom! It has been a while since I talked to her last, but she is a wonderful, sweet woman, just like you!
Love always,
Kristin