Some doctors leave a lasting memory. They take care of your child as if they were their own. A delicate touch, soft-spoken words and questions that demonstrate they care no matter how invasive they may seem.
When you have a child with special needs, you visit the doctor's office a little more than you would like. A revolving door of doctors, therapists and specialists, these folks become like family, eventually. They check in, they laugh, we even exchange Christmas cards. It's no wonder when one passes on, our lives stop for a moment to reflect on their legacy.
Dr. Alan Kenien was an amazing endocrinologist at Sanford Health here in Fargo. He left us too soon. We only knew him as Carter's doctor, but he was more than that. He was a caring individual. He was knowledgeable. He took his time. He was a role model, and most importantly, he was dedicated.
We have yet to explain death to Carter, for people, that is. He's had dragonflies he loves die, but this one could be hard to for him to understand. Going back to that office, meeting with a different doctor-it will take time for him to understand this is a permanent change. But eventually he'll realize, and I know this is all in God's hands.
I know I'm not the only parent to mourn this loss. So I'll step up and speak for all of us when I say: As you rest in peace, may you find the peace of all the souls you've touched along the way. May you find laughter in every moment, renewed health in your step, a reunion of friends you've missed and even more love in your heart, if that's possible.
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Thank you for helping our children. Thank you for making them your life's work. Thank you for the stories-they were an added bonus. Thank you for the high-fives, stickers galore and endless smiles. Thank you for your dedication and for your wisdom. Thanks for being a friend to our kiddos. Thank you for the follow-up phone calls, the ones that are so rare these days. You were one of the good ones. You found a way to create a happy moment out of an otherwise scary one for our babes.
We appreciate you and what you did for us. Thank you for choosing to serve our families.
To the new endocrinologist at Sanford Health, it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, you've got BIG shoes to fill.
Kerri Kava is mom to 8-year-old son Carter, who lives with Williams syndrome, and twin babies Cooper and Mac. She can be reached at kerrikava18@gmail.com .
