Errol Milner Clifford 2006-2009

Errol Milner Clifford was born with a significant heart defect and a cognitive disability that prevented him from walking or talking. As we grieved the child we had anticipated, Errol’s full-bodied smile and irrepressible laugh turned our sorrow into joy, and taught us that many of the best things in life are unexpected. Inspired by Errol’s delightful spirit, friends, family, and neighbors rallied to support our family’s significant emotional, physical, and financial needs, through countless acts of selfless generosity. When Errol’s courageous heart finally failed him on December 23, 2009 we were left numb with grief. In these dark hours we listen hopefully for the echoes of Errol’s brilliant laugh. This blog is the story (starting from present and working back to Errol's birth) of the life and times of the amazing Errol Clifford.


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Errol's Family

We feel so much love from so many!

Owen was determined to see his brother again today. Errol was thrilled to oblige.

Owen wasn't the only guest. The Little Man received Grandmothers, grandfather, aunt, uncle, and the entire (all 7 of them) bakery staff in his royal suite. Errol loved the attention.

Errol's champion pediatrician, Dr. Hunsinger, drove two hours each way in the pouring rain to visit. Dr. Hunsinger brought a dose of optimism with her and insisted that Errol looked great and was going to be strong on Tuesday. She gave the whole family a prescription of hope!

And we feel the love, prayers, thoughts, dancing, meditation, light, laughter, and more love flowing in from all points! Keep it coming.

13 comments:

Marigene said...

Jonathan and Cary,

You will perhaps never know how much you and your children give to the world. I think it is inestimable(sp?). You make our hearts and our lives fuller and richer, and the web of life so much stronger and more beautiful because of your love. Owen is a big part of this gift. Errol is a big part of the gift. So - thank you for the gift of your family to us and the world. We are blessed by you all, and are certainly keeping you in our hearts constantly.

Much love,
Marigene

Allison the Meep said...

I'm so so happy that you all were able to be together - that you smuggled Owen into the hospital despite their no kids rules right now!

Lots of love and good thoughts coming your way from the Wilson peeps.

andrea said...

To achieve the impossible; it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought.
Tom Robbins


What is the beautiful, if not the impossible.
Gustave Flaubert

Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible. I think it's in my basement... let me go upstairs and check.
M. C. Escher

Whoso loves, believes in the impossible

Elizabeth Browning (1806 - 1861)



Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing.”
 G. M. Trevelyan quotes

You have all been in my thoughts....and will continue to be,imagining big smiles and a bed full of snuggles.
love and ginderbread cookies.

Betsy Towns said...

I echo so many of the lovely loving thoughts here. Your family inspires me in every instant. Endless kisses and hugs to you all.

Unknown said...

This is Tom Winton, Coordinator of the NC Governor's School. Please just know that we are thinking of and praying for all of you. The entire Family Milner is so dear to us. Mary Watson and Camilla Roberson join me in sending best wishes and hopes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Unknown said...

Sending all my love and constant prayers. Lots of that coming your way from all of us in Georgia. Much, much love, bw

Anonymous said...

I know our families do not know eachother well, but at the same time, I know we do. You have all been in my thoughts since we ran into you at dinner a couple months ago and you have certainly been in my prayers since Errol's recent hospital stay. I am so glad to have finally found your blog.-Errol is so blessed to have such an amazing (and humorous) family.
Keep up the good fight.
Love, thoughts, prayers, and more,
The Elsner Family
(Ava's peeps)

mama becca said...

what a beautiful family you are... I just wanted you to know that we are sending all of our hopes, wishes, and prayers your way. we are friends of ben and margie... and leah is in ms. payne's class at ABES.
Be Strong, Errol!!! We're cheering you on!
love,
becca for all the albertsons

Betsy Fulton Saye said...

To Errol's family...our family will be praying for Errol and the doctors caring for him tomorrow. Your story touched my heart when it was brought to my attention by Andrea Freeman. Our little girl had open heart surgery when she was 12 days old at UNC Children's Hospital - I know how difficult tomorrow will be, but unfortunately, you do too having already endured other surgeries with sweet Errol. Sending you patience to get through tomorrow, I will be thinking of you and hoping for success.

Betsy Fulton Saye
Pinehurst, NC

Betsy Tucker said...

Jeff and I really have only seen you at the farmer's market where we also sell our veggies (he always gets black coffee and a blueberry muffin!), but you are a shining light there and since we have kids of similar ages, I just wanted you to know that even though we don't know each other very well, we will think of your family and pray for Errol tomorrow. My mom forwarded an email to me (that was sent to her from Brittany Gaspari?) that had a link to your blog. Please take care, and hang in there with your beautiful family.

Betsy Tucker
Sugar Creek Farm

Unknown said...

Jonathan, Cary, Owen, and Errol,

Lots of love and hugs and healing thoughts are winging their way to you tonight and tomorrow.

Doug and Molly

Unknown said...

ALL of my heart, strength and prayers are standing FIRM in the assurance and hope in Eroll's healing...I am sure you "hear about your inner strength and how it witnesses to others", and most times you just want to be a "normal" family...Though it feels like a weight to all of your souls at times, to carry the burden of a family awaiting healing, the joy of your families life and future speaks a vision of light and hope!!!! I AM ON MY KNEES...BLESSINGS

Unknown said...

Dear Cary, Jonathan, Owen and Errol,
We are with you in our minds and hearts as Errol is going through his surgery this morning. Your family teaches us all so much about love! Thank you for who you all are. We love you!

Love, Sydney, Tony and Cedar McGee