The worst has happened. One of our kiddos has passed away. This is an email that I prayed that I would never have to write. I have dreaded the mere thought of it. Our sweet boy, Clinton Otieno Musa died last week from Burkitt's Lymphoma. He was almost 12 years old and had lived with us for 11 of those years. It all happened very quickly. He got sick at the beginning of June, was diagnosed at the beginning of July, and he died on August 14th while undergoing treatment in Nairobi. He was buried yesterday on his family's land in Sirembe surrounded by so many people that loved him dearly.
He and his brother Austin moved into our JCO Children's a few weeks after their brother Elvis in the summer of 2011. Clinton was not yet 18 months old when we found him and Austin (3 years old at the time) in a very bad state, both with severe malnutrition and extreme cases of malaria. After staying in the hospital to recover for 2 weeks, they both moved in with us and became a part of our JCO Children's Home Family. From the moment they arrived, they brought so much love, light, and laughter to our home and they have ever since. Since that time Clinton has been a very healthy young boy who spent most of his time playing in the yard with all of his JCO siblings. He was beloved and cherished and such a happy little guy.
At the JCO Children's Home Clinton lived a very happy life. He was the youngest kiddo from when he moved in at 1-year old until he was about 6, so he was doted on by all of the older kiddos and staff. And when I was around, I couldn't keep him out of my arms. He was ridiculously cute and he knew it. And everyone absolutely adored him. From the time he could run you could find him out in the yard with Austin and other younger kiddos playing all sorts of games that they created and having the time of their lives. Clinton LOVED mangoes, as any sane person does, but he once made himself physically ill during mango season because he just couldn't get enough. He also loved hot wheels cars, in fact, he asked for one when he was in the hospital.
Mrs. Opot and our staff cared for him and helped him through every stage of development. He learned to walk and talk and even use the outhouse like a big boy. I was there helping with some of the toddler tantrums and potty training, but our JCO Staff dealt with most of that day in and day out, and they did a phenomenal job. Clinton grew to be a handsome, loving, and well-behaved little guy. He loved to play board games and run around the yard with Austin and his other JCO siblings. He was also becoming quite the artist and would spend long stretches of time quietly coloring.
He was such a special kid and holds a very special place in my heart and I think that is true of everyone who knew him. I have spent a lot of time imagining who he would become as a grown man and how he would contribute to the world around him. Although he didn't ever get to grow up, I can say that he contributed so much to my world and I know Mrs. Opot, Patrick, our entire staff and all of our kiddos would say the same. He brought joy to our hearts daily and so much love and laughter. Our lives are infinitely brighter because he was here and I thank God for the day that I met him and he joined our home.
He meant the world to me and our entire global family. We are all devastated by this loss. However, if you could, please say a prayer and send loving thoughts to his brothers Austin and Elvis and all the rest of our kiddos—we are all feeling so much pain, but I imagine theirs is the worst.
We appreciate all of your love and support of our Home and our kiddos. Many of you loved Clinton from afar and helped us to give him the beautiful life that he had and we thank you for that. The thing that I am holding onto right now that brings me comfort amidst this horrible tragedy is that although his life was way too short, I can say with 100% certainty that it was a really happy one. Clinton spent every day surrounded by laughter, joy, and people who loved him deeply. With the exception of the rough beginning and end of his life - he lived every day as a happy and healthy young boy whose biggest concerns were having fun with his buddies, his toys, and his JCO Family that loved him. We are so grateful to have him in our home and in our hearts, now and forever.
