Thank-You/Gracias

We would like to thank all of our family, friends and brothers & Sisters in Christ,  for all of the support and encouragement through this difficult time.  Thank you for helping us celebrate Ana's life.  Thank you to those who were able to join us in the visitation, memorial service, and/or burial.  Thank you for all of the beautiful cards and flowers that we have received.  For the kind words and especially for the prayers.  We are blessed to have such a supportive community of family and friends.  We love you all.  Thank you.

Queremos agradecer a nuestra familia, amistades,  hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, por todo su apoyo y animo en este tiempo difícil para nosotros.  Gracias por ayudarnos a celebrar la vida de Ana.  Gracias a aquellos que nos pudieron acompañar en la visitación, el servicio conmemorativo y/o el sepelio. Gracias por las tarjetas y flores tan bonitas que hemos recibido, por las palabras amables y especialmente por las oraciones.  Estamos bendecidos de tener una comunidad de familia y amigos que nos apoya tanto.  Los queremos a todos.  Gracias.  

Dear Janddy,

Dear Janddy: 

These are the hardest black words I ever had to put on a white screen.  These are the hardest thoughts that ever came to me.  When I laugh, when I smile, it feels so hallow, but then I know, that’s what you would want from me.  I see your picture and I wonder if this is all a nightmare.  Our hearts are broken and our mother’s cries burn every single piece that erupted, while our father’s tears drown us in an ocean of numbness.   Never before did I know what pain meant.  I have been sad in the past, but this is a foreign feeling of emptiness.  I miss you.  We miss you.  We need you.  

And I wonder, if this pain in our chest will ever go away.  And I question, why would God  give you to us just to take you away.  And I cry and I ask if our body is able to stop breathing, like yours did, then why won’t the tears stop pouring after millions are shed?  And I feel, like I’m running out of air.  Remember when our fish jumped out of his tank?  Now I’m wondering if he too had a sister he lost somewhere.  Nothing makes any sense. Nothing calms the tears that flow like that waterfall we saw in El Yunque.  Remember?  

And its so unfair, that the world keeps turning, when our happiness seems frozen in a dimension where you were skin and flesh.  How can we celebrate Christmas.  Thanksgiving.  Our birthdays.  How can we ever take a family picture again?

And just when I am about to loose control, just when I am about to hyperventilate, I see your smile again and I realize that God gave you to us for 28 years and I would go through all this pain of loosing you even if those years would have been just one day. I am  so glad that we had you to make so many memories with.  For you to teach us so many things.  

Then I look at your son.  Our son.  Josue.  And I see him so handsome and I see him so  big and I thank God that in His mercy, he allowed you to give birth to him.  To feed him as a baby.  To wipe his tears as a toddler.  To guide him as a kid and to always teach him that to give is better than to receive.  I saw him and a beautiful small red bird staring at each other after you left that day.  He pointed the bird out and the bird kept watching him. They seemed to connect.  The bird sat still and Josue smiled amazed.  

Then on Wednesday we went to pick out the location of your grave.  Your grave.  While I was thinking how out of order all of the past week’s events have been.  No one should bury their baby sister, their daughter.  And no son his mother.  Then Josue and our mom saw a white squirrel looking our way.  Josue mentioned, how you used to like looking at them.  How they were always around your house and you loved them.  All these little thing we see as reminders, that you will in fact, will always be there.  

We kept praying and praying for a miracle, not knowing that your miracle was 10,457 days.  The amount of time God allowed us to have you, to kiss you, to hear you laugh.  Ana our Janddy.  Ana our love.  Ana our princess.  Ana our world.  We promise to always love you.  We promise to do the things we always wanted to do with you with your son.  Our son.  We promise that we know, that God knew your fight and that in his mercy, He did what any father would do for the sake of his daughter’s life.  Ana, we appreciate you fighting so hard but we know, that you’re in a perfect place where you will wait for us.  The Bible says that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day, therefore, I hope that for you it will feel like only a five minute wait until we hold each other again.  

In the mean time, we will live like you did, next to God with faith.  And like you always taught us:  with a smile on our face and generously.  

And we serve a God that lost His only Son.  And we serve a God that has also cried.  And we serve a God that knows what it is like to be mad.  To have, a bleeding heart.  Therefore, He knows how much comforting this type of pain demands.  So don’t worry about us, we are in good hands.  

Janddy, Hermana, I only ask you one thing, keep reminding us that you are everywhere and if God gives you a few seconds, please, come in our dreams just to say hey and if it’s not too much to ask for, bring our big sister so that we may know her face.  

Your always,

Amparo, Miriam & Freddy

Obituary and Arrangements

Longtime Hendersonville resident Ana Alexandra Oviedo Medina, a Community Outreach Coordinator for Blue Ridge Community Services, and former Henderson County Educational System immigrant advocate and ESL Parent Liaison, went to be with our Heavenly Father on March 4, 2013,  at age 28.  Ana was an active community advocate until the day she was hospitalized.  

A native of Torreon, Mexico, Ana was the daughter of Pastor Alfredo Oviedo and Alejandra Oviedo.  She attended the University Of North Carolina at Charlotte where she majored in Political Science and Spanish.  She loved to read and learn.  She was also very intelligent.  Her memory was admirable. 

Ana’s beautiful smile made everyone fall in love with her.  Her laugh was a beautiful song.  She loved to give and shop for everyone else.  Ana devoted her life to serving God and to her son, Josue, whom was the light of her universe. Ana also loved to spoil her nieces and nephews and often gave them candy and gifts.  

Ana loved life.  She enjoyed traveling and learning about other cultures.  She was always willing to help anyone and had a genuine care for the patients she worked with.  When she was in the hospital, Ana worried and prayed for some of the patients at her job to include a young man with cancer.  Ana worried that he did not have any family around and wondered how our family could adopt him or help him.  

Ana was always proud of her family and her family is extremely proud of her.  She did not like to see anyone unhappy.   

Ana had a rare autoimmune disease that began to affect her lungs causing a rare pneumonia.  It took her at least twice the amount of energy it takes a normal person to complete a task.  However, she was able to raise her son, have a full time job, and rarely missed her family’s activities.  Ana did not complain about her health although she needed more rest to perform daily activities.  She became known as our Sleeping Beauty.  

Ana loved doing work for the community and advocating for those without a voice.  Her favorite activities were going to church;  her son’s, nephews and brother’s soccer games; and shopping with her mother.  Ana was intolerable of injustice and spoke up against it. 

Ana was a counselor to many.  She always had time to listen to others and offer support.  Ana liked to empower women and enjoyed being lovable to babies and children. 

Ana will be extremely missed by her family to include: her wonderful and loving son, Josue; her husband Josue; parents, Alexandra and Alfredo; her sisters Amparo and Miriam; her brother Freddy;  her brothers in law Lot and Adrian; her sister in law Nery; her nieces and nephews, Anthony, Syedi, Shaddai, Nathaniel, Dante, and Nyles; and her many other family members and friends.   


A family, friends, and community visitation will take place Thursday, March 7, 2013 from  5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28791.  

A family, friends, and community memorial service will be held Friday, March 8, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church followed by a committal ceremony.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Josue’s Education Fund.  Ana’s priority in life was to educate her son and we want to honor her memory by helping her.  Please send donations to:  

Josue I. Solano Oviedo 

PO BOX 475

Edneyville, NC 28727

Arrangements are being handled by Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors, Hendersonville, N.C. 

Thank you. Gracias.

From our family to yours, we would like to thank you for your prayers and support.  This morning, our beloved Ana went to be with our heavenly father.  At this time, we would like some privacy as we make all the necessary arrangements.  We will soon post the details and times we will have visitation.  Again, Thank-You from the bottom of our hearts.

De nuestra familia hacia la suya, les queremos dar las gracias por sus oraciones y apoyo.  Esta mañana, nuestra querida Ana se fue al cielo con nuestro Padre Celestial.  En este momento, nos gustaria tener privacidad mientras hacemos los arreglos necesarios.  Pronto pondremos los detalles y horas de visitación.  Otra vez, Gracias de lo mas profundo de nuestro corazón,

 

A Good Day!

Ana is having a good day today.  The dialysis is helping her body release some of the extra liquids that are causing problems.  Her hemoglobin levels have increased from yesterday.  Her lung x-ray shows tiny improvements.  Our wonderful, awesome little sister continues to take baby steps as the doctor kindly reminds here that there will be good and bad days.  Praise God for today is a good day and the miracle begins. 

We wanted to share a story with you all about Ana.  When Ana was around 6 or 7 years old, we lived in Lombard Illinois for a few months.  Yes, months.  Our parents took us to Chicago’s aquarium.  While there, Ana somehow got separated from us.  It was one of those “I thought she was with you” kind of deals.  We did not even know she was missing.  Suddenly, there is a voice over the speaker phone asking the parents of Ana Oviedo to please come to the guests services desk.  Immediately, panic came upon our parents.  Everyone rushed to the guest services desk and there, Ana was holding one of the security guard’s hand.  She was laughing and talking to him.  She ran to us and hugs and tears were everywhere.    

I heard my father sharing this story with one of Ana’s co-workers yesterday.  It is a good one to share.  Ana is very intelligent.  Even at that age, she knew to find a guard and ask for help.  She did not panic.  She did not cry.  She figured out what to do and did it.  Ana knows how to fight and she is doing an excellent job.  She knows what needs to be done and she will do it.  There is no doubt in our mind.  

We read some of the comments people wrote in Ana’s notebook yesterday to her.  Of course, there is no clear way of knowing what is going through her mind but the fact that today is better is a great sign.  Thanks again to everyone.  Please continue your prayers. 

Ana esta teniendo un buen día hoy.  El diálisis le esta ayudando a su cuerpo a sacar algunos líquidos que están causando problemas.  Su nivel de hemoglobina subió desde ayer.  El rayo X de sus pulmones demuestra que ha mejorado bien poquito.  Nuestra maravillosa e impresionante hermanita sigue tomando pasitos hacia adelante mientras el doctor de sus riñones nos recuerda cariñosamente que va haber días  buenos y días malos.  Alabamos a Dios por que hoy es un día bueno y el milagro empieza.  

Queremos compartir una historia sobre Ana con ustedes.  Cuando Ana tenia unos 6 o 7 años vivimos en Lombard Illinois por unos meses.    Si, meses.  Nuestros padres nos llevaron al acuario de Chicago.  Cuando estábamos allí, de alguna manera, Ana se separo de nosotros.  Fue una de esas cosas donde nos decíamos, pensé que estaba contigo.  Ni siquiera sabíamos que se había perdido.  De repente, hay una voz sobre la bocina que dice que los padres de Ana Oviedo por favor vengan por ella al área de servicios al cliente. Inmediatamente nos llenamos de pánico.  Nos apuramos  al área de servicios al cliente y allí, Ana estaba agarrada de la mano de un guardia de seguridad.  Ella estaba riéndose y hablando con el.  Ella corrió hacia nosotros y hubo abrazos por donde quiera y lagrimas también.  

Ayer escuchamos a nuestro padre compartir esta historia con una compañera de trabajo de Ana.   Es una buena historia de compartir.  Ana es muy inteligente.  Aun a esa edad, ella supo encontrar a un guardia y pedir ayuda.  No le dio pánico.  No lloro.  Ella sola descubrió lo que tenia que hacer y lo hizo.  Ana sabe luchar y esta haciendo un trabajo excelente.  Ella sabe que hacer ahora y lo va hacer.  No hay ninguna duda en nuestra mente.

Ayer le leímos algunos de los comentarios que las personas le escribieron a Ana en su libreta.  Por supuesto, no hay ninguna manera de saber que esta pasando por su mente, per el hecho que hoy es un día mejor es una buena señal que nos escucha.  Gracias otra vez a todos.  Por favor sigan orando por ella.  

How You Can Help/Como Puede Ayudar

Pray...  Pray...  Pray...

Ana needs a miracle.  Good thing we BELIEVE IN MIRACLES! Our prayers are being heard as she takes baby steps!  We are very proud of her, as always.  

Thanks to everyone who has come by to sit with us.  We truly appreciate your company.  Thank you.  It means a lot to us.  Due to her serious condition, only family members are allowed to see her two at a time.  Feel free to come sit with us as we await any changes or news.  Snacks are appreciated.  

If you decide to come visit, we have a notebook where guests can write Ana a note or draw her a picture or two.  We read some of the notes to her daily.  She is able to hear us and feel touch.  Please, feel free to write quotes, notes, etc on the blog and we can also read some of them to her.

If you would like to send her a card, please send it to:

Ana Oviedo

PO BOX 475

Edneyville, NC 28727

At this time, she cannot receive flowers in her room but balloons are allowed.  Ana really enjoys receiving cards.  The cards that she has received have been placed throughout the room, at her request.  She enjoys looking at them. 

Thanks to Cyndi who sent Ana a note with a quote we believe perfectly describes the challenge Anna is going through:

“Forget the raging storms and the losing battles, a new warrior is rising, and she wears your face.” -April Bennett 

Orar… Orar… Orar…

Ana necesita un milagro.  Las buenas noticias son que CREEMOS EN MILAGROS¡  Nuestras oraciones han sido escuchadas porque ella a tomado pasitos hacia adelante.  Estamos muy orgullosos de ella, como siempre lo hemos estado. 

Gracias a todos los que han venido a sentarse con nosotros.  De verdad que apreciamos su compañía.  Gracias.  Se significa mucho para nosotros.  Dado a la seriedad de su condición, solo dos miembros de la familia pueden verla a la misma vez.  Siéntanse bienvenidos a venir a sentarse con nosotros mientras esperamos cambios o noticias.  Con gusto aceptamos refrigerios. 

Si usted decide venir a visitarnos, tenemos una libreta donde los invitados pueden escribirle una notita o dibujarle algo a Ana.  Nosotros le leemos algunas de las notas diariamente.  Ella nos puede escuchar y tiene sentido de tacto.  

Si quieren mandarle una tarjeta por favor mándensela a:

Ana Oviedo

PO BOX 475

Edneyville, NC 28727

En este momento no puede recibir flores en su cuarto pero globos si.  A Ana le gusta mucho recibir tarjetas.  Las tarjetas que ha recibido están en su cuarto como ella pidió que se pusieran alrededor de ella para que las pueda ver.  A ella le gusta verlas. 

Muchas gracias a Cyndi quien le mando un mensaje a Ana con un dicho que describe el reto que Ana esta enfrentando:

‟Olvídate de las tormentas enfurecidas y las peleas perdidas, una nueva guerrera se esta levantando, y se viste con tu cara.″  –April Bennett

About Ana's Fight

About Ana’s Fight

Ana was hospitalized on February 12, 2013.  Days later, she was diagnosed with Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP).  Ana continues to be in the Intensive Care Unit due to some complications related to BOOP.

 Ana is fighting through a very crucial stage in her healing.  We ask that you continue with your prayers as we hope for a miracle.  Anyone who knows Ana knows that she is a fighter and she continues to fight for the rest of her life and the memories to come next to her son and loved ones.    

Sobre la lucha de Ana

Ana sigue luchando en una etapa muy critica en su saneamiento.  Les pedimos que sigan con sus oraciones.  Nosotros tenemos la esperanza que va a ocurrir un milagro.  Cualquier persona que conoce a Ana sabe que ella es una luchadora.  Ella sigue luchando por su vida y las memorias que va hacer junto a su hijo y sus seres queridos.  

Ana fue hospitalizada el 12 de Febrero del 2013.  Días después, ella fue diagnosticada con una neumonía muy rara conocida como BOOP (Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia).  Ana sigue en cuidado intensivo como resultado de algunas complicaciones relacionadas al BOOP.