Sadly, some of our Hope Stories don’t have happy endings – at least not for now.
Donovan’s story tells of a boy with uncommon courage and a joy that never faded. He was chronically ill most of his short life. He suffered from Wilson’s Disease, a genetic disorder that also claimed the lives of his father and aunt.
We met in 2003 when he was 9 years old. He walked into Storybook’s barn and announced he was “ready to ride!” Riding continued to be a new adventure each week as he tried out practically every horse and pony in the barn. His face was etched with a permanent grin while aboard Curious George, Huckleberry Finn, and Charlie Brown. He was always the first to try to learn different skills like riding with your eyes closed, bathing a horse or braiding Huck’s mane as if he knew he didn’t have much time left. Being with him was a mixed bag of joy and sadness – joy for all the precious moments we shared at the farm and sadness because I also knew it would come to an end one day.
Sadly, the end did come both suddenly and quickly. We were not prepared – can you ever be? We were honored to attend his visitation and funeral service. It was then that I realized the many ways God had worked through Storybook Farm to make a difference in a young boy’s life. Surrounding Donovan’s family and friends were remembrances from the farm - scrapbooks, stuffed animals, and framed photos of Donovan and his horse friends. Though our friendship lasted a little more than a year, Storybook Farm filled his last days to the brim with love. The kind of love that you give away and then it comes back to you ten-fold.
The death of a child hurts us in places we didn’t know existed. We cry and yearn for the way it was before. Before the accident. Before the illness. But then God meets us in our pain and somehow we make it through the day and the night. God met Donovan at Storybook Farm and He continues to meet us as we remember a special boy who shared his heart with us. Thank you, Donovan. We miss you.