Tuesday, May 29, 2012

David Allen Kimsey, 2001-2012

How fast things can change.   Just a few days ago I wrote of the optimism we had in getting David some successful treatment and how well he seemed to be responding to steroids.  And now... he's gone.  Just like that.  From his obituary:

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David Kimsey, age 11, died Monday, May 28, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Clayton, New Mexico with Eric Armstrong, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Des Moines, officiating. Burial will follow in the Grenville Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton.

David Allen Kimsey was born on April 10, 2001 in Raton, New Mexico to Bryan Allen Kimsey and Georgia (Zentner) Kimsey. His life was full of physical challenges starting with a double hernia as an infant. Shortly thereafter, he was identified with severe anemia which remained undiagnosed in spite of the best efforts of the University of New Mexico’s Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado. He started on a steroid program in December 2011 and seemed to be responding well to such treatment. Early in the morning of May 28, however, he complained of a severe headache and fell unconscious. A LifeGuard flight to Albuquerque was of no avail and he left us in the early evening.

In spite of his frail physical condition, David was full of life. He traveled by Amtrak with his father to Washington DC where they spent several days touring the Smithsonian museum. He was proficient and safe with both guns and bows, was a good mechanic, and could drive a T-head screw. He went camping, to bluegrass festivals and to an archery shoot. He loved listening to music, especially to fiddler Natalie MacMaster whom David saw in concert a few days before he was born and then 8 days before his passing. Two years ago, David got involved with 4H and loved it, especially when he graduated to building rockets which he did all by himself. When David set out to do something, he was determined to do his best. He was a very proficient reader, was amazingly adept with his beloved iPad and was well-known for engaging conversation. His last evening with his earthly family was spent playing games with his siblings and then playing music on his new drum set with his mother and father, a moment they will cherish forever.

David will be sorely missed by all who knew him. David seemed to touch the heart of every person he met. We can only thank God and consider ourselves blessed to have been a part of his life. We trust that David is safe in the hands of his Heavenly Father, perfectly healed of his infirmities.


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I only now realize just how much I loved the kid and how big of a place in my heart he occupied.  When I look back over this blog, I realize that it really was about David.  There were some falcons here and there, ranch work at times, but in nearly every post was David.  David was not just my son, he was my great friend.  I will miss him.  Go with God, little man.  We love you.

















Addendum:  I wrote this blog entry the day David died.  A few days later, I wrote this one:
Blessed Be The Name of the Lord, in which I described some of the amazing events that happened prior to and after his passing.  It remains a post to which I have come back to many times for comfort and reassurance on dark days.




15 comments:

  1. I spent most of the day yesterday reading your blog and found it fascinating. Knowing that David's life was ultimately cut short, it was heart wrenching to look back on your writings about him. Your love and car for him was obvious. Please continue to blog, as your memories will fade but your posts will leave a legacy.

    Monica Pfaff (Linda Rowland's daughter)

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  2. I was brought to your blog because of motorcycles. You brought back memories of bike I used to own. After reading about each bike I looked around your site a bit and found this page.

    It brings tears to my eyes reading about the passing of this little guy, and your strength in dealing with it.

    -BSA

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    1. Ur a guitar genius in my book.as a father of three I was heartbroken by the story of ur young son.he is in the the loving arms Christ god bless u and ur family..

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  3. I came to your site looking at neck resets and I left thinking of your son. I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

    Jarrett

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  4. I came to your site seeking guitar wisdom and found it. More importantly, I am sorry for your loss and thankful that you shared your grief. Your words brought me to tears and have inspired me to not be so busy, and not take my time with my own boy for granted. To savor every moment I have with my 10 year old son, Jonah.

    Thank you, Mel

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  5. Bryan - I think David has been reborn in all our hearts and a little piece of him will rest there for a long time. There are a lot of hearts out here to share his life.

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  6. Bryan, I stumbled across your site a few years ago in pursuit of guitar knowledge and came away thinking about God. After recently rekindling a luthiery urge, I came back here to check on what you've been up to. Tears well up in me at hearing of your loss. I have two young children that are already my best friends and I can only begin to imagine the ache.

    I lost a good friend in May of 2012 also, to small cell carcinoma, and his wife wrote his testimony on his behalf that she read at his funeral. I take comfort in reading that testimony now and again and find that the words are still as alive as the day I first heard them at his funeral over a year-and-a-half ago. If you have time, it's definitely worth a read. http://gregwinansstory.blogspot.com/

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  7. Hi Bryan, sorry to hear about your loss, but as we both know, he is now with the Lord.
    I am buying a 2002 KDX 200, I currently have a 09 TE450 and a 92 TE 350 Husqvarna, the KDX will be for my kids......maybe.
    My daughter had Leukemia when she was seve and looked like a budgie after going on steroids. By the grace of God, she was healed and is now a beautiful teenager.
    Before I was saved, I was in a relationship which I had a son.
    This relationship failed and my fiancee married some-one else. She offered to make up with me, if I gave up "that Christian stuff", but after what had happened in the past, I couldn't turn away from God this time, no matter what the cost.
    I missed that boy so much, that it broke my heart. Then the Lord showed me how He loved the world so much, He gave His only begotten Son, to die in our place.
    I know you already know this, but the point is that the pain I felt, made me think of the pain that the Father must have felt for His Son, when He died on that cross.
    What Jesus did, was an amazing act of love, but what the Father did, in giving His Son, I believe, would have been even harder to do.
    You would have gladly given your life, in place of your son, in order that he may live, as I would have for my daughter.
    Can you imagine the love the Father has for us, to allow a perfectly innocent Son, to die for your/my sin.
    I think I may be able to die for some-one to set them free, but I don't think I could let my son die in their place, especially if they were murderers, rapists, adulterers or terrorists, and yet, this is what the Father did.
    That's an amazing love, and you can be sure that the Father, being perfect love, His heart would have been breaking for His Son, as He was dying on that cross, so you can be sure the Father knows your pain, as a Father, and it may help you discover an even greater love for Him, through His sacrifice.
    Cheers,
    Peter.
    Castle Hill
    Australia.

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  8. Bryan,
    I read this blog a few years ago, followed you over from UMGF.COM, enjoyed the ranch stories, and noted your obvious love for your son, as you and your family helped him deal with his illness. Sadly, I lost track of your blog until today.
    I am deeply saddened to read of David's passing, but admire your faith in dealing with such a loss.
    Best wishes to you and your family, I know you will see him again.
    Sincerely,
    Rich

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  9. Read this a few years back and it touched me then, Read it again just now while looking for D-18 info, and once again I was moved to near tears. As a father of 3 boys 6,8 and 10 this really hits home. God Bless your little man and you too Bryan.
    Steve

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  10. What can I say so sorry for your loss ! Brian

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  11. I found your blog based on your excellent luthier information, but I was very touched by the stories of your son.

    Until I had children myself, I could not even begin to imagine the pain that must result from losing one. What an amazing little guy. All my very deepest condolences.

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  12. I cried...sobbed actually....God is caring for your son now........

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  13. Hi Bryan,

    Have been to your site many times and never came across your this memorial page for David....I must say, I'm deeply touched by your families and David's story. I must also say, David must be extremely proud of his dad. Your soulful description of a Father's Love for his son is beautiful....and mirrors our Heavenly Father's love for your son and the rest of his followers.

    Thanks so much for sharing.

    Mike Lewis
    Jacksonville, Texas

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  14. Reading about David has touched my life.

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