Go hug your family in memory of those who can’t

I think the next time I see my two nieces, I’m going to hug them a little tighter. It’s the least I can do after finding out two friends of mine from high school will be hugging one of their sons for the last time.

Most of you who’ve read my blog know about Kris Mazy, who graduated with me more than 20 years ago in Chino Valley. She and her husband, Larry Fullmer, have five biological children, two more that they adopted a few years ago, and one more they’re in the process of adopting.

I was checking out Facebook this morning and saw that their 11-year-old, Breckin, had been in an accident playing in the yard and was now down at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The tone of the post indicated that there was nothing left for Kris and Larry to do was to say their good-byes. I knew something was wrong when I saw a post from Kris a couple of days earlier announcing their family yard sale was cancelled due to a family emergency, but I was not expecting anything like this to be the reason.

 

The Mazy-Fullmer family is minus a loved one today. Breckin, far left, was in an accident at the family’s homestead.

Breckin and his brother, Trystan, were blessed to intersect with the Mazy-Fullmer family a few years ago after they wound up in the foster system. Coming from an abusive family, the boys found a new home full of love.

 

If you know Kris and Larry like I do, you know that they’re firm but loving in the way they raise their children. Kris exhibited frustration whenever Breckin engaged in behavior that was unacceptable but was full of praise whenever he seemed to be transitioning from a frightened and distrusting child to one who realized he was in a home where he’d never be beaten or abused, with brothers and sisters who would support him and grow with him.

I remember as I read some of Kris’s posts about Breckin thinking how proud she was going to be of the man he would someday become. When I took my trip back to Arizona last year, I finally got to see the boy behind a mother’s pride. I even let him handle my camera—something I rarely do with anyone—as he snapped a photo of his parents and me, something he did very well.

Right now, I wish I was back in Arizona so I could comfort my friends and their family. However, I can do the next big thing, which is to drum up support. A GoFundMe page was started with a $10,000 goal to help Kris and Larry as they try to pick up the pieces. If you go to www.gofundme.com/mazyfullmer-family-fund, you’ll be able to donate. I gave $100, and at last check, almost $1,600 had been donated.

Kris and Larry are going through something that too many parents have to go through, something that no parent should have to endure. There’s nothing more important than family, and to lose your child is heartbreaking. Join me in helping them to put their hearts back together again.