The Day We Brought Kevin Home
Kevin's Life:
Kevin was born August 22, 1984 and came into our life on Sept.27, 1984. We
were blessed to be his adopted parents. He was a wonderful baby. Kevin had a
great sense of humor, always made people laugh and was always very happy.
When Kevin was in 4th grade he was diagnosed with A.D.D and received help for his
disabilities in reading and writing all throughout his school years until he
graduated in 2003. We were so proud of him for graduating because school was
such a struggle for him.
Kevin, at ages 15-17 went through a time when drugs were involved in his
life. Kevin came to us and said he needed help so we got him into treatment and
since then he did great, never went back on drugs. (Toxicology report showed no
drugs or alcohol in his system when he died).
I don't understand how he could have talked to us about drugs but not suicide. We could talk about anything since we had a wonderful relationship and a special bond.
Kevin worked at Goodyear Tire Co from 2002 - 2005 and attended a vocational
school for auto mechanics. He loved working on cars, and some day wanted to buy
a 1970 Chevelle (his dream car).
Kevin's real love was for the mountains...the last 3 winters over Christmas vacation he went to Colorado to visit 5 of his friends that worked/lived out there only during the winter months to go snowboarding. Kevin loved snowboarding! Actually, I found a urn in the shape of a mountain and had the Company put a snowboarder on it. It is beautiful! Kevin also enjoyed skateboarding, dirt biking and being with his friends.
Kevin did have a girlfriend for 2 years. She broke up with him August of
2004. I don't know if that's why he took his life because he loved her with all
his heart and she broke his. Kevin would do anything for her....She cheated on
him with the guy in the same apartment building they lived in. Actually he
lived right next door to them!
We knew he was feeling down at the time of the break up but we thought
he was doing good for the last few months. Especially when he returned home in
January after being with his friends in Colorado for 10 days. We talked about
counseling and he said he was fine...over his girlfriend.
We thought his life was going great, everything positive....he got a raise at
work, doing great at vocational school (made the presidents list in 2004),
moved into a townhouse with a couple of good buddies and making lots of plans
for his life.
We've asked Kevin's roommates, friends, co-workers, school teachers everyone
we can think of if they saw any signs of depression or suicide. Not one person
saw any signs.
Everyone is as shocked as we are. A lot of his friends are
still having a hard time understanding what happened, as well as we are. I've
even contacted the coroner and police department numerous times to discuss foul
play and they said everything pointed to suicide.
How we found out about Kevin's death:
Randy and I left in the early morning hours of March 4, 2005 for vacation. 3 days in Miami and 4 day Bahama cruise.
When we arrived in Miami, the flight attendent announced our names to please
see the service counter upon departing the plane. Well, when we walked out of
the plane there were 3 Miami police officers waiting for us.
They dialed the Lakeville police department for us and that's when we found out Kevin died. It wasn't until we got home some 7 hours later when we found out how....When we landed in Mpls Randy called the coroner and he said Kevin hung himself in a tree
at a park. We thought he was in a car accident. So that was a total shock to
find out he took his own life.
I have to tell you something amazing though.... We had to change planes in
Chicago and during that flight we saw a perfectly round rainbow laying on a
cloud. We thought maybe it was at that time Kevin was going home to God. I don't
know but we've never seen anything like it before.
Next week May 8th, Kevin would have graduated from Vo-Tech. We will be there
to accept his diploma. Which will be very hard because HE should be receiving
it not us!
Maybe there were signs of depression but he hid it well from everyone.
Everything we've read about suicide always leads to depression and I really
don't think he was depressed. But again, we are new to this and in the learning
process. I just wish there is a good book that talks about suicide without
depression.
Kevin is now a beautiful angel in Heaven. He never knew the incredible amount
of people who loved and cared for him and now miss him. He had a beautiful
heart, a loving personality and everyone who met him liked him instantly. He
was generous and caring. If love could have saved him, he would still be with
us today.
Kevin's Baptism With His Godparents
Kevin sitting in the sink Getting Love from Daddy
Kisses from Grandpa Jill Aunt Sandy Kevin
"DADDY"S LITTLE HELPER
I Wore Daddy Out
Jill and Kevin Standing On Daddy's Back
Kevin 6 Years Old
Kevin hit the Jackpot Kevin loved the Gift
bravenet.com