Originally uploaded by karing1960@sbcglobal.net.
My heart is deeply saddened, and I grieve for the Prantle Family in their loss. This beautiful family attends the Parkway Apostolic Church in Oak Creek, WI where my brother Johnny, his wife Kristin and their kids, Nick, Ben and Natalie also make their home church. While vacationing in Washington State earlier this week, tragedy struck this family. Their 12-year-old son, Micah took ill suddenly and just passed away today. Below is an e-mail that was sent to my sister-in-law from Julian Prantle, the father of Micah.
From: Prantle, Julian L
Sent: Monday, August 06, 2007 3:52 AM
Subject: Micah update
Hey Guys,
Today has been the worst nightmare that anyone could think up. We are in the middle of our vacation in Washington State and show up to our church picnic. Micah said that he was cold, it was 93degs. out side. But it was evident that he was not well. Then his head started hurting and he was shaking. We felt it necessary to take him to the emergency room. He got progressively worse and two hours later 4:00pm he quit breathing. The prognosis was his shunt was malfunctioning. There was a lot of time just sitting in a room at Kadlec Hospital and damage done. They got a flight for life to Children’s hospital in Seattle and had surgery right away.
Things are not good. They feel that Micah may be brain dead. We are in a dark fog feeling numb at times. Tomorrow they hope that he will wake up on his own. They will do a MRI to see what damage was caused by the extreme pressure with the shunt malfunction. We don’t know how we will survive this one. We will though, with the strength that we draw from our relation with Jesus Christ. We will need lots of support. Please forward this to others that I have overlooked.
Regards
Julian
Micah was born with spinal bifida, but that didn’t stop him from living life to the fullest. He was on the junior bible quizzing team along with my nephews Nick and Ben. They did so well this year, that they went to finals in Missouri and placed 4th.
Because of the lack of physical signs of any brain activity, doctors ran a test where they injected a radioactive contrast into Micah’s bloodstream. This test showed no blood going to the brain. Here is another e-mail from Micah’s father:
From: Prantle, Julian L
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:58 AM
Subject: RE: Micah Update
Thank you all for the prayers.
We did get the results from the MRI last night. The tests were not conclusive. That makes things really hard, we are not in a Black or White situation. There will be an additional test today around noon that they will inject radioactive material into his blood stream. The focus will be to see if there is any blood flow to the brain. With the lack of physical signs of any brain activity they expect no blood flow which means Micah is no longer here. There are decisions that Cheryl and I will be needing to make that no parents should ever have to make. We still want prayer for Micah. God is able. But the doctors are very honest with us and so our hope is fading, but still knowing that God is in charge and has a plan. If this means that the last pieces of Micah’s life puzzle are in place. This is to be determined. We are resting in God’s peace that He will carry us through this horrible nightmare.
Julian
Here is an e-mail from Micah’s coach:
We are all saddened and speechless and alone in our thoughts. We can not begin to understand the hurt the Prantle’s are going through. We have to stay positive in our thoughts that God is in control, even though I must admit I am having trouble doing that right now. True to form Micah is helping others with his early passing with the gift of his organs. I am reading in the book of Job right now. God took all of Jobs kids and all his wealth and covered his body with painful soars. His wife told Job to curse God and die. Job kept his faith and continued to honor God. The lesson for us all is to keep faith even when we want to be angry or expect some reasonable answers. Life is very fragile; we should not take it for granted. Tell your kids or parents that you love them often, you might not get another chance, have no regrets. Micah’s picture is in a prominent place on my office wall and I will look at it often and smile good thoughts of his first basket that Julian has on film or him asking me midway through the first quarter if it’s almost time for him to get into the game. Micah was more than basketball, although he inspired us all with his lack of fear in taking a charge by someone three times his size. He always had a peaceful smile on his face that lit up the gym. He was fun to be around and a testament to his upbringing by wonderful parents. My life is richer because I met and became friends with Micah and his family. He will be missed in many ways.
With a very heavy heart,
Coach Timblin
I am amazed at the generous, magnanimous spirit of Micah’s parents, Cheryl and Julian in donating their son’s organs to other children who may be needing them. I’m sure this would not be an easy decision for any parent to make. I received an e-mail earlier today that said they have found matches for his organs. A boy in San Fransisco is getting Micah’s lungs. A 7 year old boy in California is receiving his heart, especially pray for this one, as they have had to wait for some medicine Micah was on to wear off before giving it. Children in Seattle, most likely right there in Seattle Children’s Hospital, will be getting both his kidneys and liver. Please keep the Prantle family in your prayers at this difficult juncture in their lives. May something good come out of this heartache. May Micah’s spirit live on in the children who will be blessed recipients of his organs.
Karen, This is almost more than one can stand. Please let the Prantle’s know that we will be praying for them.
Thank you, Ronda, for your prayers. I will pass the word onto the Prantles.
Kiki,
I’m glad you did a post about this. I was thinking about doing it but somehow could not get my thoughts together. I’ve been thinking about Micah’s parents and family a lot and praying for them. Micah is the same age as Paul, and I couldn’t imagine if this had been my son. I pray that the God of all comfort will carry the Prantles through this difficult time.
Sis, thanks for your comments. I too thought about Paul when I learned of Micah’s age. When you hear of things like this happening, it makes you want to cherish and be with your family more than ever.
The Prantle’s and I share a mutual friend who has come to the Tri-Cities to help them through this time. I knew the Prantle family when they lived here, and I was blessed to meet with them several times and to know Micah before he passed.
I know to read a blog like this and not know much else can be tough, so I wanted to leave some thoughts with you now. I was lucky to share some time with Julian this morning, and briefly saw Cheryl and the children. They are amazing people! They are able to see the blessings that have come to them even in this time, and they are so happy that Micah was able to help other’s around him even in his death. Their last weeks with Micah couldn’t have been more perfect either, they recently had his portrait taken as well as a family portrait, and have spent the last few weeks on vacation doing so many fun things. And now they are surrounded by friends and family that love them so much! Our mutual friend left her family vacation in Florida and came to Washington state to help the Prantles in any way she could – and she wasn’t the only friend to do so. They are very strong, brave people, and they have such a family in Christ that I know they will get through this tragedy.
Micah’s funeral will be at Country Christian Center located at 5500 W Sagemoor Rd in Pasco at 4pm tomorrow. Please pray for them, that this time will go well, specifically that Micah’s basketball jersey will arrive in time. Please also pray for Micah’s siblings as well as his parents – he has two sisters and one brother.
Thank you, Loren, for stopping by and sharing more of the details with us. What a wonderful network of support the Prantles have had through all of this. When the bottom falls out from under us, it’s our faith in God and the love and prayers of brothers and sisters in the Lord t hat carry us through.
My sympathies go out to the family. I’m a congenital hydrocephalus patient myself from Racine, WI. I’m 30 and have had 2 shunt revisions so far. Once at 5 yrs old and once just last year. News of Micah’s passing really hit me hard. I go to Apostolic Faith Church in Racine and know some of the kids that Micah quizzed with.
Kathi, thank you for stopping by and sharing. May God bless you and give you strength to help with your condition.
I am so sorry to hear about Micah. Although I did not know him, I have been charmed by his smile. Reading about him going to national finals for Bible quizzing also brought a smile to my face. It will be such memories that bring the needed strength to survive this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Thank you Jana for your kind comments. They are so appreciated.
Micah was an inspiration to all of us. We have now gone two weeks without our little buddy. The hurt continues, but the strength of God is true. We had the memorial service yesterday August 18. Please know that we know that we have never left the plan of God. Here is a thought: If you wrote a book, then a day later you read the book. Would you be suprised by the ending? Of course not. God is not in shock with His arms in the air saying, “I forgot about the Prantles”. On the contrary, He is the author and the finisher of our faith. We have to rest in his plan and know that there is a bigger picture. Micah was able to give physical life to three other children. A seven year old in California has his heart, someone in Seattle area has his liver, and a kidney in Spokane, Wa. We know that Micah’s death was an answer to at least three prayers of families pleading for the lives of their children. Would we have chosen this route. A resounding NO! Micah is missed greatly. But we do see part of the greater plan.
Micah’s Dad
P.S. There are so many more things that we can tell about how God has shown him self stong. We will share more later. Hold on to your faith.
Julian, thank you so much for sharing Micah with us. You and your family are all in our thoughts and prayers. Feel free to share more about Micah anytime.
My heart cannot fathom this loss. Surely God holds them close in this season~
Love your new look…love this background music. So calming….
Take good care~
My prayers are with Micah’s family and all those who loved him.
Although I am a bit late in reading this, my heart goes out to this family. And I will remember them in prayer.
Thank you all for praying for Julian my brother and Cheryl and the kids.
They are vary strong and the Lord will see them through only by the Lord Jesus and the prayers of the people.
Again I have just come acrossed this blog.
Lord Bless the Prantle family allways.
Joel and Teresa Prantle and kids from Pasco, WA.
Joel and Teresa, thanks for stopping by. People like Julian and Cheryl are an inspiration to me. I’m deeply sorry for what they have gone through, and I wish it never happened; but I am thankful for the strength they are drawing from the Lord and friends and family like you. God bless you both.
LeRoy & Sharon Prantle (Grandpa & Grandma)
The Lord is so gracious to us and we are filled with His love and goodness for His mercies that He extends to us. We were able to have Micah for 10 years here with us in Pasco and then 2 years he was away in Wisconsin and we miss him very much. The Lord will allow us to be together again. He was such an inspiration to us as He loved life and others with a compassion that was beyond his years.
Dear LeRoy and Sharon & Amp; thank you for sharing your heart. What a blessing it must be for Julian and Cheryl to have so many loving and caring family and friends to support them in their hour of need. Thank you for stopping by.
Another story is how God confirmed decisions that we needed to make that were tough.
We planned our vacation to Washington for several months in advance, people to see places to go. During a visit with our friends the Harpsters, a mutual friend Andrea happend to show up just after we were talking about her. We had a great time and were glad she happened to come by. Oh by the way, Andrea is in stage 4 heart failure. She will posibly be needing a heart transplant in the future.
The day that we were told that Micah was brain dead and decided to donate his organs. As the meeting was ending I told my wife Cheryl that we needed to call Andrea to tell her of the decision that we made. Cheryl went to Micah’s bed side and I went to the waiting room to share with friends and family the latest news. As I walked through the door, just as before when we talked of Andrea, there she was standing there in front of me. 200 miles from home and showing up just as we needed God to show us that he was watching out for us. I imediatley took her to Micah’s room where Cheryl was. She was visibly shaken by seeing Micah in that condition knowing that someone would have to die for her to live.
Again the story of redemption.
We have since been informed that there are four recipients that received Micah’s organs. His heart in a seven year old, liver in a fifteen year old, one kidney in a nineteen year old, another kidney in a sixty-one year old. As far as we know they are all doing well.
Please continue to pray for our family as we attempt to start life with our Micah. As things have settled down and “normal life” moves in, some tough emotions have surfaced.
Thank you,
Micah’s dad
Julian, thank you for sharing more of your experience on my blog. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. May God apply His healing balm to your emotions and hurts.
It’s been about 7 weeks now since our son, Micah, passed away to be with the Lord Jesus! I miss him so much. He was and is so special to me. I will always remember his hugs, his “I love you Momma’s”, and his sensitive heart. He loved life and I imagine he is loving death too because he is in heaven with God. Micah loved to ask questions about life, love, and situations that didn’t even exist. He had so many “what if’s” about life. Micah had an observant set of eyes. As a baby, his eyes were so beautiful and large, he attracted people by catching a glimpse of them. As he grew up, he attracted people with his loving heart and infectious smile. People were drawn to Micah. He touched many lives.
All the kids are very special to us, Micah especially since we were there for his first surgery at birth. We hope we helped support Cheryl until Julian could get to her and give his love and support at that time.
It is something that we will never forget. Just like his birth, his death was an eye opener.
I have never in my entire life seen such a HUGE support system for this family. I do not even know 25 people – at any given time at the hospital there seemed to be at least 25 loving people there for Cheryl and Julian and I was so impressed with her support system, I knew they would get through this time of grief and come out stronger. It is amazing what faith can do. All my love and continued support.
Love you all
My prayers are with my Brother and his Wife Cheryl and their kids. Micah was a special little boy. My brother and his Family needs all of us right now! What can I say. It is a very hard! God be with them.
Thank you to all the Prantle family and friends who have stopped by to share. I so appreciate all your comments.
Cheryl, your comments from a Mom’s heart, especially touched my soul. Being a Mom myself and having a son, I can relate. Mom’s remember all the fine little details about their kids that everyone else misses. If we ever make it back to WI to visit John and Kristin, I hope to be able to meet you and give you a big, heartfelt hug. May God be especially near to you at this time in your life.
Love,
Karen
Cheryl and I have been “sisters” since 2nd grade. We met in Kindergarten, but it was in Miss Down’s class that God sealed our hearts. Living only 20 houses apart, we spent our school years riding the bus together, sharing sleep- overs, birthday parties, and even family vacations. We’ve seen each other through jr. high, puberty, driver’s ed, boys, jobs, college, marriage, babies, and everything inbetween. It was Cheryl’s family who took me to church and AWANA where I learned about my need for a Savior. Cheryl introduced me to my husand. We lived together in college. Cheryl knows more about me than anyone else in the world. And although life has separated us with miles, it has not separated our hearts.
Just the day before Micah became ill, Cheryl had driven from Pasco to Spokane to spend the day with me. It was a “perfect”day of just her and I at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. The weather was beautiful, we walked the marina and a street fair, sipped a Mocha, and had lunch. It was like we were teenagers again. We had so much fun.
The next day when Cheryl called, my first words were “How was the picnic?”. Fully expecting to hear fun stories about her reunion with friends and family. But no. She was at the hospital waiting to be airlifted to Seattle Children’s Hospital. I was in shock. It brougt me right back to the phone call I received 12 years ago when she was waiting to be airlifted to the same hospital when Micah was born. What? A problem? For Cheryl? How can it be?!
Even knowing Micah was going to the hospital, I still expected everything to be O.K. He was in a doctors care, we were all praying….surely he would be O.K.
But no. The next morning Julian told me they thought he was”brain dead”. I fell apart. (sorry Julian – it was in your ear.) I borrowed my in-laws car, left my family, and drove to Seattle.
It was the tougest week I’ve ever had. To see a family you love so much hurting so bad is heart wrenching. But it’s part of loving. Sharing the good and the bad. I know Cheryl would be there for me in an instant should I need her. (She has been there.)
But God is there too. He’s directed every detail and he continues to uphold. I am thankful to have been able to spend that week at the hospital with the Prantles and the others who love them. (Thank you Paul for taking care of everything at home and allowing me to stay as long as I wanted.) I am thankful that God used the situation to teach me better how to love others. I am thankful that I got to know Micah. To see him overcome challenges and excel in his strengths. I’m glad I was able to be there to say goodbye. And I am especially thankful that God gave me such a wonderful “sister” so many years ago. God knows his plan. He knows what we need and will need. He loves us. We can trust him….and I’m thankful.
I love you Prantle family.
Tammy
Tammy, thank you for your comments. What a wonderful friendship you and Cheryl have together. I’m glad you were able to be there with her in her hour of darkness. You are a gem of a friend.
Blessings,
Karen
Though I only got to see Micah when they come to visit on holidays and stuff like that, I loved him very much. I was at the hospital when he was dying and it was hard. But I knew that that was not the Micah I knew and loved. He was already with God and happy and running all over causing trouble like usual. It was amazing to see how many people were at the hospital and how many cared. Micah touched everyone he knew, and he sure touched my heart too. From him I learned to never give up and to never let any physical thing keep you down. My best friend Sidney was there the first day we went to the hospital with me and she helped me through all this. But then she took ill about a week later and due to losing Micah I feared the worst for me. But luckily she was fine and is doing great now, but because of Micah I learned to really appreciate and love every moment I have with everyone. Now I do not fret about the little things or pick fights over things that don’t matter. I let them go and love everyone even with the things I don’t necessarily like. Everyone deserves to be loved, and Micah was very loved. I loved him a lot. And it’s like I said at his funeral, Micah will always be my Ronald McDonald. In fact, every day on my way to school I pass a McDonald’s, and Sidney and I wave hi to Micah every day. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him. But I truly think this was all part of God’s plan and for the best. Now Micah is in heaven and he saved a few children’s lives, and now he can walk and run and slam dunk that basketball he loved to play. I will never forget him. He will always be with me in my heart.
Best wishes,
Love, Ashley
Karen,
Cheryl and I now have a weblog we have copied some of the comments that our friends and family made to a post about Micah. This has been so encouraging to hear thoughts and prayers going out to us.
Julian
Julian, I would love to visit your weblog. Do you have an address for it? Karen
Dorothy and I got to know Cheryl for the first time when our daughter Tammy “brought her home” one day. Ever since that day we had another “daughter to love and watch grow up”. We have always loved Cheryl as our own and shared all the things she experienced as a little girl, teenager and young women. Of course we also did things with her mom and dad and attended all the birthday parties etc.
Then she married and moved away, but we still kept in touch with her life through our daughter Tammy. We never met Micha, but prayed for the whole family through the years. After Micha’s death, we attended the funeral services in Pasco and saw our “little Cheryl” for the first time in years.
Dorothy and I could not hold back the tears when we listened to her talk about her son as only a mother could do, and hear her anquish and the pain she and her husband were experiencing. We saw Cheryl for the first time as an adult, a MOTHER and a member of her own family, and wanted so much to take away all that made her cry. We listended to her Dad talk about his “little pool buddy” and could not even imagine being in his place. The pictures that were shown of Micha showed us they were just the right parents for him. Thier love and devotion to him and his needs were so evident and God blessed Micha with them. One thing we came away with was the faith and knowledge that GOD will now do what we as humans can not do. We are sure his Love and strength will in some way give the Prantles the ability to help others to get through their own nightmares and lead them to know and experience Christ .
Cheryl blessed us as a young person, and now in her extreme pain, we are proud to say we know her as a MOM, devoted wife, and servant of her Lord.
John & Dorothy Payne
Dear John & Dorothy, Thank you for your beautiful post. You are both more evidence of the wonderful support system that Cheryl and Julian have been blessed to have. Karen
My husband and I have known Jullian for many years and have come to know his family through pictures, letter and phone calls over the years. How thankful I am that we were able to have the Prantle family in our home last January. What a blessed time to get to know each of you in a new way. We are also greatful for the opportunity to attend one of Micah’s basketball games this Spring as well. What an exciting day that was! Cheering him on as he made his first basket! Not a day goes by that I don’t pray for you all. May God continue to stengthen and encourage you as you walk this journey…you are not alone!
I love you all! Beth
Karen,
I miss Micah so much! It’s hard to believe that he is gone forever from this earth. My life has changed so much since he passed away. God has used his life and death to touch so many people.
As I think about Micah, I am a proud Momma! It has helped so much to hear from others how Micah touched their life. Maybe I won’t hear the comments about him from his graduation or wedding, but I am hearing them now. I can honestly say that I am very proud of the young man Micah was becoming.
I miss his hugs and I love you Momma’s! I am glad he is with Jesus and running with the angels!
Love,
Cheryl
(Micah’s Momma)
Cheryl,
Tears were bathing my eyes as I read your comment. I was thinking of you and your family, and wondering how you all are doing in this transition period in your lives. With the holidays coming up soon, I know that will be hard. We rejoice that Micah has made it. The battle is over for him. The race is won! But the absence is felt by loved ones down here, and the memories linger. I’m glad they are good memories and that you and Julian can be proud of Micah and his accomplishments in his short life. May he be first in the welcoming committee in Heaven to great you when you get there.
Much Love,
Karen
Karen,
Thank you for responding. This has been a special place for me to go and think about Micah. The music is beautiful and reading everyone’s thoughts helps so much. We are doing well considering our loss. It is a difficult balance between grieving for Micah and caring for our other three children. We live in a constant conflict of emotions. Thank you for being a listening ear. God bless you giood!
Love,
Cheryl
P.S. How do you put music on your weblog? I would like to add that to ours?