I met this little boy Shelton James King and he ran away with my heart. Shelton was body handicap and could not talk or walk. He was not suppose to live that long, but he held in for almost 6 year. Shelton's dad, Darin, use to wheel Shelton into the bar to listen to the music. Shelton loved music. (We live in a small town so the bar is the only place to listen to live music). I would sit by Shelton and hold his hand. In 2006, Darin need someone to watch Shelton. Shelton had a feeding tube and had to take meds through it. Most people didn't like having to do. I told Darin I would watch him. I said if anyone of us feels uncomfortable with me watching him that I won't do it. I started watching him at night like once a week then I took on some days when Darin mom couldn't watch him.
Shelton and I became close. My son and Shelton, were the best of friends. Cody would walk in see Shelton in bed and say Hi to him. Shelton would smile. And some days, Cody would say Shelton isn't going to have a good day today. Cody would be right. How he knew this is a secret Cody has never said. Cody is a year younger then Shelton. Everyday we would do the same thing, First I would bath him and change his bedding, then time to eat, nap, then I would carry Shelton out to the couch at lunch time and I would get Cody his lunch and Shelton his. Shelton would watch Cody play a video game and then Cody would take his nap. Shelton and I would watch HGTV. I would look over at him and say Shelton and tickle his feet. He would laugh and all I would have to say is Shelton again and he would start laughing. Shelton would then take his nap and when he awoke his dad would becoming home. When Darin open the door he would light up and in his eyes you could see "My dad is home". That look would make a huge smile come to my face. Shelton became part of my family. My husband and I would take him on car rides, Everyday I had to watch him I truly enjoyed and looked forward to them, until June 3, 20004
That day, I didn't wan to go to Shelton’s and couldn't understand why until later that day. I got up and got Cody loaded up into the car and headed down to Darin house. Right when I walked into the house I could tell something was not right. Darin went off to work and Shelton just didn't act right. I followed the same routine we did everyday. And every time I looked at Shelton I was like something is not right. I would check his breathing. It was Ok until I got up to make Cody lunch. Shelton made a noise I will never forget and I can not explain. I ran to Shelton. He had stop breathing. I called Darin and told him to get home. Shelton was a DNR. Darin only work four blocks from the house and when he walked in a saw my face it said it all. I was like to you want me to do CPR and Darin said yes. I was trying to remain calm but then what was happening hit me. I told Cody to go outside. I did CPR on Shelton which seemed like forever. Finally someone told me they would take over, but it was no use. He was gone. My world came crashing down. Time just stood still and I looked at Shelton and couldn't believe he was gone. Then I started blaming myself. I am a mom I should been able to do something. Darin was wonderful. He was more worried about me. He told me he was glad I was with Shelton when God to him to heaven. At first I wasn't but now I am. I gather up Cody and went home. Cody didn't say a word and I never brought it up.
A year later, I was driving home with Cody. Cody started talking about God and angels. He said, Mom do you believe in angels?'
I said, "Yes".
He asked "Shelton is an angel right?"
I answered, "Yes, he is."
Cody then said, "Mom, remember that sound Shelton made before he died?"
"Yes."
"That was Shelton telling God to take him to Heaven".
I had never thought about it that way. I pulled the car over and hugged Cody and later I sat and cried. I told Darin and his mom about what Cody said, and of course they cried and said he was right.
In 2006, I had my daughter draw me a heart with wings with a halo over the heart. There is a ribbon around that heart that says “Shelton”. I had it tattoo above my heart.
He was an angel God sent down here. Shelton taught me to love again and taught me so much more. He is "MY ANGEL"
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